Huntley Formally OK's Video Gaming, Buys Downtown Building

The Huntley Board Thursday voted formal approval to allow video gaming in Huntley, despite a last-ditch effort by Trustee Harry Leopold postpone it.  "Video gaming is really gambling," said Leopold who charged gambling was a bad thing.

Leopold said he'd informally polled 22 golfers and 88 bridge players on finding overwhelming opposition to the plan.  However, none of the other trustees supported tabling the question and Leopold's was the only "no" vote when it came time for final approval.

In a surprise move, the Board voted to buy the old Huntley Farmside offices at 11801 Main St. for $115,000.  Village Manager Dave Johnson said the price was a bargain since it was listed at $350,000.  He said after the property ended up in the hands of a bank the Board talked in closed session about buying the property for Downtown development.

The building's currently occupied by a gold-buying store and a cleaning service. It's located in the middle of a municipal parking area, however, and broad brush Downtown improvement plans call for more parking Downtown.  "Parking would be one (possible) developmental use," said Johnson.

In the pic:  11801 Main in Downtown Huntley.