University of Kentucky - Kentuckian Yearbook (Lexington, KY)

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an- ant ge ale ats tck :k- 'If I want to waste my money, ifs my business. -Tom Griffin Many played the Ionery games in hopes of hitting it big Lottery 21

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The winning ticket After 200 years Kentuckians voted to adopt the lottery hoping to bring valued proceeds to many needy organi- zations. Story by Molly McCutcheon Layout by Elizabeth C. Moore nxious patrons wait- ed in line, money in and, for ltthe go ahead to buy a Kentucky lottery ticket. April 1 at 7:01 am. marked the start of lot- tery ticket sales for the first time in 200 years. Stores were filled with customers waiting to try their luck in the Dreamstakes or the instant Winner scratch otf game. Kentuckians have not had a lottery since 1790 when the state was still a part of the Commonwealth of Virgin- iat The lottery was held to fund what later became Transylvania University. Years later lotteries were used to finance road im- provements and to build schools, churches and hospi- tals. Although past Kentucky lotttery revenue financed many useful projects, misap- propriation of authorized Iota tery funds forced the Ken- tucky legislature to ban lotteries of any form in 1856. in 1987 lottery hopefuls rallied their support for Deme ocratic gubernatorial candi- date Wallace Wilkinson who launched much of his cam- paign on the promise of a lot- teryt He believed it would solve many of Kentucky's funding problems. Wilkinson's timing proved perfect as he walked away with the elec- tion and the hopes of a lot- tery in the bag for many eager Kentuckians Wilkinson won strong sup- port in the legislature in pass- ing the amendment to the state constitution to allow a lottery. The amendment passed overwhelmingly in the election and the Governor began to appropriate funds for the proceeds. The legislature approved earmarking funds for the Viet- nam veterans but decided to wait until 1990 to act on other programs. Early child- hood education and senior citizens programs are on top of Wilkinson's list for future lottery proceed allocation. Opposition from churches claimed the lottery preyed on those less fortunate to spend money they didn't have. But despite opposition, the lot- tery went full speed ahead. Wallace Wilkinson bought the first lottery ticket at Iot- tery headquarters in LouiSn ville and made his last stop in Lexington's Kroger on Alex- andria Drive. Wilkinson rubbed off three spots which he thought revealed a $100 win. He cashed the ticket, signed the back and flashed his winnings. Soon after the clerk realized one of the spots was $1000 not $100 and the Governor had to re- turn the money. Although he was not an instant winner, he insisted that all of Kentucky was. Some UK students felt that the lottery was a benefit to the future of Kentucky and hoped that lottery proceeds would help to increase the education budget. Many stu- dents also found themselves contributing to the lottery and did not feel it was a waste of money, but worth the chance. Computer science junior Tom Griffin said, if I want to waste my money, it's my business. Graduate stu- dent in counseling psycholo- gy Mary Bolin believed that Hspending money on a lottery ticket is the same to me as going to the track. Some have spent anywhere from $1 to $100 and the money kept rolling in. With a favorable response from students it was not sur- prising that the 4700 retail outlets reported selling over 2.6 million dollars worth of lottery tickets by 4 o'clock on the first day. Three Ken- tuckians also became win? ners of $5000 . All three of them were eligible for a drawing that could make them a millionaire on derby day May 6. The excitement of winning and the challenge to keep winning kept people buying those lottery tickets hoping to at least pay back the money spent on the tick- et, or, through a stroke oi luck. strike it rich.l:l lilf my bus Grit Many hopes

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Ch uck Ferry UK President David Roselle speaks with reporters after meeling with stu- dents about the iiHappy Chandier controversy AB 'iHappyi' Chandler talks Wth aihlelic director CM. Newion and Kernel editomal editor Duane Bonif- eri h Ft ra th Story 3 t in of AB. ated UK's quote the re is all UK in ing, This ber o pus z dents well z Stude from c at the This hopes nor Vi move Board could the bi nation appoir Wilkin: he sa ofrem Che the re signfri Wili him af there I MiChal saying Zimbal and ii I said most of the Zimbabweans were niggers and they are niggers. -A.B. iiHappy Chan- ; : dler