The Washington County Citizens for Good Jobs Committee-funded by the casino group that wants to bring gambling to Riverside- spent just under $450,000 on the campaign to secure a yes vote Aug. 31, 2004, when county voters approved a measure allowing gambling, 4,095 to 3,743, in a 53-percent turnout at the polls. Communities Against Riverboat Expansion spent just under $11,000 in the same election.
      Catfish Bend Casino of Ft. Madison was the sole financial sponsor of the Good Jobs Committee, making cash contributions of $20,000 on July12, $30,000 on Aug. 17, and $400,000 on Sept. 1-the day following the affirmative vote in Washington County-according to papers filed with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board.
Catfish Bend Casino plans to open a Riverside casino if Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission members grant it a gambling license this spring. The commission will hold a public meeting on the matter May 4, and will vote May 11.
      CARE was funded by a variety of sources, including two churches, 17 local businesses, and 42 individuals or families. Among the largest contributors to the anti-gambling campaign in each category were Kalona Christian Fellowship, which gave $500; Gingerich Well and Pump Service of Kalona, which gave $250; and private citizens B.L. and Mildred Thomann of Riverside, who gave $200.