On Monday night, Niles Township trustees voted 4-3 to allow volunteers from the Niles Charter Township Volunteer Fire Department to apply for a charitable gaming license to raise funds for the organization. Trustees Richard Cooper, Chris Vella and Herschel Hoese voted against the resolution.

If approved by the state, the license would allow firefighters to assist in Texas Hold ‘Em at Joey Armadillos, where gambling for charity is legal under Act 382 of 1972.

The topic sparked some contention amongst trustees who said they did not believe the operation would reflect well on the township’s image. 

Trustees had originally planned to vote on the issue last week, but voted unanimously to table the decision until they had more information and could hear from a representative with the fire department.

Niles Charter Township Fire Department Lt. Marc Brandon attended Monday night’s meeting with the aim to answer questions that the trustees might have. Brandon began the meeting by passing out an official 501 c3 status, showing that the volunteer fire department was considered a nonprofit under Internal Revenue Services standards.

Trustee Chris Vella first expressed concern that involvement with gambling, even for charity, might send the wrong idea about the fire department’s mission to serve the township.  She cited her own work with Lakeland Hospital and said that when searching for fundraising options, those in charge thought back to their mission statement.

“Lakeland’s mission was to promote health, wellness and family,” Vella said. “I guess it is all about your mission statement. What is it that you are here to do? For me it does not fit the organization.”

Brandon said volunteers would have nothing to do with alcohol sales and would have a very small role in the gambling process. Volunteers would help by selling poker chips to players and redeeming leftover poker chips for cash, as well as provide record keeping services.

A minimum of three volunteers from the charitable organization are required to help out. The fire department is considered a fraternal organization and can apply for up to four licenses per year. Each license allows for four days of gaming per license, according to the  Michigan Gaming Control Board. The fire department could potentially work up to 16 days per year.

State law requires that the participating charitable organization receive a minimum of 55 percent of the pot at the end of the night, according to Brandon. While he said he was not sure what aspect of the fire department the money would be used for explicitly, Brandon said the money could go toward purchasing new equipment and protective gear or assisting with holiday parties or distributing awards. 

In the past, Brandon said the fire department has always had to get creative to find ways to raise money. No matter what the fundraiser, he said the money always supported the firefighters’ work at multiple levels. 

“For years and years, every tanker was purchased and maintained by volunteers,” Brandon said.

Trustee Richard Cooper, who formerly served as a volunteer firefighter for a number of years, disagreed with Brandon.

“I don’t think that we want to have anything that says ‘Niles Township Fire Department’ down at that end of it,” Cooper said.

Supervisor Jim Stover said he was not opposed to the idea and that many other charities used gaming to help raise funds.

“I see nothing wrong with it,” Stover said. “I am familiar with this process because I have been on part of the Brandywine Athletic Boosters. Even bingo in the cafeteria requires a gaming license.”