ORANGE : Youth Group’s Bingo Request Is a Winner

Rather than deny a group of young performers a bingo permit so they can raise money, city officials have decided to change the law.

The City Council overturned a Planning Commission decision denying a bingo permit to New Young Americans, a group of young dancers and singers who conduct arts workshops in schools.

Planners had rejected the permit request because the nonprofit group had not been based in the city for three years and did not offer a service “required by the local community,” as a city ordinance stipulates.

The group also proposed to allow smoking during the Thursday night bingo games at the Super Sports Golf & Recreation Center on Canal Street.

Council members, clearly charmed by a group of the young performers who attended a public hearing on the matter, instructed City Atty. Robert O. Franks to draft an ordinance with loosened residency requirements and present it at the Nov. 14 council meeting.

“Very rarely do we overrule the Planning Commission,” Councilman Mike Spurgeon said. “But this body has to take a broader view of extenuating circumstances.”

Cameron D. Coy, treasurer and director of New Young Americans, said at the hearing that the 33-year-old group has been working with Orange County schools for 15 years and operates out of Canyon High School in Anaheim Hills.

“But we are looking for a place to call home,” he said, and would like to use the Super Sports site, which would have space for classrooms, a stage and open areas for performances. “In order to make this work, we have to raise funds to pay the rent,” Coy said.

Kent Hawkins, co-owner of Super Sports, said that smoking by 200 to 250 bingo players would not be a problem because the smoke would be contained. “We’re not here to promote smoking, we’re not here to promote bingo, we’re here to promote the Young Americans,” he said.