EASTON - A Talbot councilman has asked the county attorney to draft legislation that would prohibit a private commercial gambling operation at any location that holds a county liquor license.
 
 While all the details would have to be worked out, Foster said the proposed measure would not apply to charitable organizations.
 
 Councilman Philip Carey Foster said Tuesday he was concerned that efforts to expand gambling in Maryland would be more successful once Gov. Parris N. Glendening is out of office.
 
 Glendening has steadfastly refused to consider an expansion in the types of gambling allowed in the state. The Glendening administration coined the mantra "No casinos, no slots, no exceptions" to explain the administration's position.
 
 In the past, the Talbot County Council has endorsed that position.
 
 "We don't want it in Talbot County," Foster said, of a possible gambling expansion. He asked County Attorney Michael Pullen to draft legislation that would amend Talbot's liquor laws to prohibit a commercial business that holds a county liquor license from having private commercial gambling operations.
 
 He said Friday his main goal was to ensure that there are no casinos built in Talbot County and had not worked out details concerning the proposed legislation.
 
 Foster also asked his colleagues to consider developing official, written policies concerning financial issues related to events that council members are invited to attend.
 
 "What do we do about these banquets?" Foster asked, referring to recent invitations to events with $75 or $100 dinner charges.
 
 He said if every council member accepted the invitations and the county foots the bill, then the numbers could add up quick.
 
 He said there should be a written policy detailing whether the county or council members are responsible for paying such fees. He noted that councilmen were being invited to such events because they are council members, but said he had no strong feeling concerning who should pay for the dinners.
 
 "Whatever the policy is, I'd just like there to be a policy," Foster said.
 
 
 
 ©The Star Democrat 2001