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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />OCTOBER 28, 1992 <br />Department or their spouses. Clasen felt that there <br />were two opportunities in charitable gambling, one <br />being to raise money, and the other to make money. <br />Clasen stated that he would be the first member~ of the <br />community to offer his services at the bingo ha 1 <br />gratis. Clasen stated that if the fund-raising by the <br />Fire Department was a truly volunteer effort, it would <br />generate approximately another $100,000 to the <br />community. <br />Clasen suggested that the money generated by the Fire <br />Department at the Bingo Hall be used at the discretion <br />of the City Council, and suggested that it could be <br />used to reduce the debt on the new fire station. <br />Clasen stated that he did not believe charitable <br />gambling was here to stay. Clasen also felt that the <br />City Council should be more involved in the management <br />of the Fire Department because of the increasing burden <br />on City taxpayers. Clasen also felt that the annual <br />earnings of individuals working at the Little Canada <br />Bingo Hall should be public knowledge. <br />Clasen reported that many years ago he inquired about <br />joining the Fire Department and was told that he had to <br />be invited to join and be voted upon by the membership. <br />Clasen stated that he was not invited to join. Clasen <br />stated that it is his understanding that many good <br />people have been turned away from membership in both <br />the Fire Department and Little Canada Recreation <br />Association. <br />Clasen reported that he is not running for public <br />office, and is just a citizen interested in the issue. <br />Clasen stated that he would like to see any <br />organization receiving tax dollars to be accountable <br />for every dime of that money. Clasen reported that he <br />has been informed by a member of the Fire Department <br />that the Fire Department is an independent organization <br />and its operation is none of the City's nor his <br />business. Clasen stated that as long as his tax <br />dollars are going into the Fire Department~s bank <br />account, he disagrees. Clasen stated that he feels <br />people in Little Canada have a right to know what is <br />going on, and a lot of people share this feeling. <br />Clasen stated that the City has serious problems with <br />charitable gambling. Decisions have been made to buy <br />things with gambling profits. Those profits are <br />declining, and may not be here in the not too distant <br />future. <br />Blesener pointed out that the City Council meets <br />quarterly with the Fire Department, and that three <br />Page 19 <br />