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Local Scottish Organization Waits For News On Independence Vote

By John Ostapkovich

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - As Scotland holds a referendum on independence today, members of a Scottish organization in our area watch from afar.

The St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia takes no group position on the vote, says its President Edward Cattell.

He says his heart says "yes" to independence, but with two big worries about an aging population soaking up government benefits and potentially less oil revenue to pay for them.

Cattell says a pro-independence presentation to the group produced a wide range of opinions:

"From the questions, I could tell that there were some who varied from extremely skeptical to completely dismissive. Others felt that they had learned something and were very interested, so, the answer to your question is, I haven't got a clue."

Will he watch the returns?

"The earliest returns come in at midnight UK time -- which is 7 p.m. here -- and the latest returns come in at 6 a.m. the following morning which is 1 a.m. on the 19th here."

Cattell figures he'll probably wait for the morning news.

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