Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

[BarryDusel]

The yuppies at GPBA have stabbed the preservationists in the back. This has made it easier for me to donate more to CWPT . For those who don't know they have come out in favor of the Casino in Gettysburg. No doubt bought out for blankets and trinkets by LeVan and the Fat Governor of Pennsyltuckey. Read their Press release here:

http://www.gbpa.org/index.html

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Here is the GPBA contact page: http://www.gbpa.org/contact.html

Here is the text of the announcement:
(I have highlighted text which I think weakens their position in support of the casino... and I've added comments, because I couldn't help myself)

Gettysburg - The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association (GBPA) today announced its support of the proposed Mason-Dixon Resort project.

The GBPA is the oldest Civil War preservation group in the nation. Since its inception 50 years ago, the land the GBPA has secured over the years now constitutes one-third of the present day Gettysburg National Military Park, a park visited by nearly two million visitors a year.
Get ready for that number to drop!

Brendan Synnamon, GBPA president, said the group’s board of directors initially determined to take no position on the project last January but, after months of learning project details, voted to support it.

“The Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association would not support a commercial project that would use or impinge upon the battlefield. This has been a longstanding Association policy and this has not changed,” Synnamon said.

“In this case, the Eisenhower Conference Center, located well south of the Battlefield and which would be converted into the Mason-Dixon Resort, already exists as a commercial facility and the resort would not go beyond its already existing boundaries. This is a far different circumstance than taking open, undeveloped space near the battlefield and building all new structures. The existing Eisenhower Conference Center has never interfered with nor detracted from the Gettysburg Battlefield and its reuse as the Mason-Dixon Resort likewise will not interfere nor detract from the Gettysburg Battlefield,” Synnamon stated.
(whether or not it interferes cannot be predicted. Conference centers and gambling resorts are different beasts)

“Our primary mission and focus are on preservation," asserted Synnamon. “We find, after very thorough review, that the proposed Mason-Dixon Resort project does not represent a preservation issue. The property site under discussion played no significant role in the three-day engagement.”
Its not about who's horse pooped on the ground. Its about changing the character and the nature of the area.

“The Board of Directors of the GBPA regard the proposed project as a local issue. The board is aware that the economy of the Gettysburg area and Adams County is hurting. We need jobs. We need more private investment. We could use additional visitation. The Mason-Dixon Resort offers all these things and would do so without one square inch of battlefield or nearby undeveloped open space being developed,” Synnamon said.

He added: “A stronger local economy is helpful to the cause of preservation. Preservation does not exist in a vacuum. Our local preservation work cannot thrive absent a local economy that helps induce and support it.”
These statements make it clear that they are so focussed on the $$$ that they are deluding themselves into believing that they can have the money and jobs from the casino, but not the other things that come with gambling. They need to wake up. Would 30 pieces of silver help?

“What is more, the proposed project is not on the scale and scope of what exists at large casinos. The Mason-Dixon Resort would have no more than 600 slot machines and 50 table games, which is considerably smaller than attractions at the large casinos.”
What about the NEXT casino in Gettysburg? and the next? You're letting the Genie out of the bottle and you can't put it back.

Synnamon said “It is the GBPA board’s belief that the Resort will draw more people to visit the Gettysburg area and encourage them to stay longer because there will be more to see and do here, not only with the resort but with the non-gaming components of the resort and the surrounding region from Biglerville south to the Mason-Dixon Line, and from Cashtown east to Wrightsville.


“In addition to the direct positive impact on jobs, the added visitors and visitor hours the resort will encourage will also bring in new tax and other revenues to the local communities and county.”
Did they mention that they want to money and jobs?

On the question of whether the proposed project would affect heritage tourism, the GBPA Board strongly believes the Gettysburg Battlefield has a unique position among all Civil War-related sites. It is considered the place where the tide of the war changed. It is considered the most significant battle of the War, and led to President Lincoln’s defining the Union cause in honoring the dead at Gettysburg.

“Our heritage-based tourism exists because of this and this does not change,” (that's what you HOPE!) added Synnamon. “The battlefield, this hallowed ground, will always be here, and so should economically sound communities around it .” Synnamon stated.

The idea that "it will always be there" is a dangerous one. If only this were true, then "preservation associations" would be completely unnecessary!

Here is the text of my email this morning:

To whom it may concern:



I was shocked today to read that your organization is supporting the proposed Mason-Dixon resort project. It is my belief that gambling establishments, and the types of businesses and crime that accompany them, are not appropriate to the vicinity of Gettysburg. In my days as a young man and now as the parent of young children, I enjoy visiting Gettysburg, not only for the lessons I can learn and teach, but for the family-friendly atmosphere, steeped in history. If I have to be concerned about walking the street in the evening because of crime, or if the streets become lined with pawn shops, strip clubs, or adult shops, then Gettysburg will no longer be an option for my family as a vacation destination.


Perhaps the notion of "only" 600 slot machines is intended to give some assurance that Gettysburg will not become a gambling destination. I believe that such statements are intended for those who wish to delude themselves into believing that they can have the financial benefits of "just this one casino", without the negative effects. The decision to build this casino can only be made once, and it cannot be unmade. When other developers comes along wishing to build, will they be turned away? If so, how will their denial be justified when there is already another casino in-place?



The statement that the battlefield "will always be there" is particularly disturbing to me. If only this were true! If this were the case, why do we need the CWPT or the GBPA?

The truth is that the battlefield exists because we have valued it more highly than the promise of more money from whatever the source. It exists because it has been protected and it can quickly and easily go away.



Six-hundred tables can quickly become 1200 or 2000. This precious jewel of our national history, I am afraid, will be sullied very quickly.



Respectfully,



John Wickett

Lafayette, Indiana

Visitor to Gettysburg 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008

[Clyons]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

I tottally agree with the above by Mr Wickett. I live near Joliet with 2 casinos, and all the promises of better schools jobs ect have not happened, but we do have more suicides, more traffic and some more criminal acts. We are not a presevation area but the promises of what these casinos would bring have not come to fruition. Amd by the way my taxes are still going up every year too.

Chuck Lyons
10th IL Infantry

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Chuck,

Given your first-hand experience, a note from you might be particularly impactful!!

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Sad.

I was in Gettysburg this past weekend on my way to Antietam. Sorry to hear that the GBPA has caved-in to economic/political pressure. Telling of the times we are in now...

I'm all for a man to make an honest buck, but some places in America need to be seen as sacred ground that should never be touched due to the significance of our war dead. It's bad enough that Baltimore St. and Steinweher Ave. look like a carnival now with all of the tacky tchochkie shops, 'ghost tours' and farbonzo junk shops. Now there will be a casino where about ~50,000 KIA/WIA/MIA happened in a battle that changed the course of the war and American history forever. Wow. Would someone put a casino on the site of 9/11? I shudder to think... (I won't even go there due to modern politics and recent developments. Neither should the fair reader of this...)

Sure, Adams county needs jobs. Everyone does in this economy. But is it worth losing what we can never get back as a culture and a country- our pride, heritage and history??? Jobs and economy are a cheap excuse to sell-out our American heritage of which we have so precious little left of. Jobs and economic growth can come and go, but when an area such as G-burg loses its sanctity forever by having a business that capitalizes on what the area is famous for in a negative or childish way, then there is a problem. Isn't this why many of us are in the progressive end of the hobby; Because we want to do greater honor and keep alive the memory of the American that experienced such a horrid tragedy as the Civil War? Then why would we as a society let any of this happen to the battlesites that changed our country and made it what it is today...?

It's also sad to see an organization that should be preserving the rural nature and sanctity of the Gettysburg area turn into its enemy over politics and money. Perhaps the area is destined to grow only so much. I feel the public should be okay with that due to the nature of the special place it is, but others' mileage may vary there.

I apologize for the semi-rant, but this turns my stomach and makes me very sad and angry as a combat veteran and American.

May God Save Gettysburg.

V/R- John Lloyd

[JimConley]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

http://www.wtop.com/?sid=2029190&nid=25

Preservation group backs Gettysburg casino
August 17, 2010 - 12:44pm
Evan Haning, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - Proponents of a project to convert Gettysburg's Eisenhower Conference Center into a gambling casino received new support from a surprising corner -- the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association.

The GBPA, which calls itself the nation's oldest Civil War preservation group, said on Monday the Mason Dixon Resort & Casino project would help the local economy.

"Preservation does not exist in a vacuum. Our local preservation work cannot thrive absent a local economy that helps induce and support it," writes Brendan Synnamon, GBPA president.

No Casino Gettysburg spokeswoman Susan Star Paddock strongly disagrees.

"The GBPA's reference to this debate as a 'local issue' is tragically out of step with the way most Americans view the Gettysburg battlefield."

The American Legion has joined local opponents of the project, calling the casino proposal "a national disgrace."

Casino supporters say the resort's location one-half mile from Gettysburg National Military Park presents no threat to the historical significance of the field where 172,000 Union and Confederate troops fought and nearly 8,000 died.

But American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill sees it differently.

"The battlefield actually encompassed a greater area than is currently designated as a military historical site. In order to show the proper respect, we believe that something as frivolous as a casino should be much more than a half a mile away," Hill said.

Local officials insist that the national organization does not speak for them.

"Personally, he has no idea what he's talking about," Richard Baumgardner, commander of Gettysburg American Legion Post 202, tells the Gettysburg Times. "We are neutral on the subject. We were not consulted ... the national commander has been misinformed on this project."

Referring to the American Legion, Mason Dixon spokesman David La Torre tells WTOP, "Where were they the last 20 years when development has run rampant on the actual battlefield?"

Within the last year, La Torre says the Gettysburg Country Club developed high-density housing on 120 acres of battlefield land that saw some of the heaviest fighting of the engagement.

Local businesses are split on how the casino would affect their community.

Supporters point to the $221,124,306 in gaming revenues collected by Pennsylvania in 2009 and believe a casino would create new jobs and bring more visitors to the battlefield.

Opponents worry that restaurant jobs will be lost and that the gambling resort will lure bed and breakfast customers away from town. They also say that the promise of local revenue increases from gambling often fails to appear. As for drawing new visitors to the battlefield, that apparently did not happen when casinos came to Vicksburg. The National Park Service reports visitation has remained static.

But La Torre claims the visitor count at Vicksburg doesn't tell the whole story.

"[Critics] don't take into account Mississippi's economy. They don't take Hurricane Katrina into account."

Although visitors must pay an admission fee to visit the Mississippi battlefield, La Torre says statistics on the U.S. National Park Service Web site show an increase in park attendance two out of the last three years and five out of the last 10 at Vicksburg.

"Gettysburg has seen a decrease in visitors eight out of the last 10 years," despite the fact that admission to the battlefield is free, La Torre says.

"Nobody has ever argued that Gettysburg National Military Park is not the property of all Americans. But people seem to forget that the Mason Dixon Resort [would not be] located on the battlefield. The National Park occupies 6,000 acres, and we are not on a single inch of that park," La Torre says.

Nonetheless, 275 historians including Pulitzer Prize winning Civil War historian James McPherson, other national historical preservationists continue to support NoCasino.org in opposing the casino.

Pennsylvania gaming officials will hold a public hearing on the project on Aug. 31. No final decision is expected before the end of the year.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

IMHO...
Preservationists have to take a long view of things. Are we really worse off now than we were in 1920, 1929, 1939, 1979?

For nearly 150 years we've been able to maintain the character of the park, including the local area. Suddenly, THIS recession is so much worse? What happened to the characteristic American attitude that no barrier can stand in our way, no challenge is too great for us to overcome?

For some reason, hard times hit and -bam!- we want to sell out.

Damn these modern times in which we livewith our gym shoes and loafers! We've lost our boot-straps and no longer know how to pick ourselves up!!!

[Clyons]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

John I have sent notes to the Gaming Commission and have signed and donated money to fight this from happening. My family lives less than a mile from the Reding farm and I am planing on retiring in Gettysburg. Thank you for your support John.



Chuck Lyons
10th IL Infantry

[rdykes]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Very true John we are becoming weak as a nation and rolling over instead of digging in, I hope the casino is shot down but I fear there are too few who really care anymore outside of this hobby.

[BarryDusel]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Far too many folks believe the story line that Casinos mean jobs, lower taxes , etc. The really good jobs go to folks who are imported from other failing casinos across the continent . There may be lower taxes initially but eventually taxes rise. Remember what Las vegas was before Casinos came ? It was a sleepy little town, ala Gettysburg . Today it is a large metro area . Think of pawn shops to keep the gamblers afloat, A increased LE presence to address the criminals who prey on the naive, the prostitutes, no the honouirable ones. Not the Politicians !, who are there to prey on the lonely out of towners. That will be Gettysburgs future. Of course the low life David LeVan will either be deceased by then or have moved onto greener pastures. Certainly he and all the rest of the Fat Governors cronies wil have made a bundle on Real estate Deals , and other ventures. Certainly LeVan will direct Lucky Gamblers towards his HD venture. It's all about personal profit for a select few. In the end Gettysburg will be severley degraded. Think of Steinwehr Ave and the area @ M&D resort lined with pawn shops , seedy Restaraunts . The list goes on. This past week a new twist was added potentially to Infrastructure for areas considering these venues. The suggestion was made that LE should consider having more Multi Lingual officers to deal with customers at these resorts/venues when these clients become LE concerns. In the entire history of gaming. Only Las Vegas became anything and today it is sliding into the abyss it created. Atlantic City never came close to any of it's promises. Today finds that city close to becoming a ward of the State. The other areas of PA that have gotten their Casinos are still not seeing their Emerald City and never will. Sorry about the diatribe but Gettysburg belongs to the entire UAS not just the Adams Countians . It belongs to Mr. Wickett , Mr. Calloway, Myself and every other American. Just not Dave LeVan, Fat Ed , and their Cronies.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

More thoughts:

"The association doesn't exist in a vacuum," said Brendan Synnamon, president of the preservation association. "We need a strong local economy to support preservation ... .

"We are in a recession ... people are hurting," he added.

“The Board of Directors of the GBPA regard the proposed project as a local issue. The board is aware that the economy of the Gettysburg area and Adams County is hurting. We need jobs. We need more private investment. We could use additional visitation. The Mason-Dixon Resort offers all these things and would do so without one square inch of battlefield or nearby undeveloped open space being developed,” Synnamon said.

The Sucker's Choice:

Sucker's Choice—These are false dilemmas that suggest we face only two options (both of them bad), when in fact we face several choices—some of them good. We suffer from “Or” Thinking.

So, what is the Sucker's Choice here?
Build a casino and accept the negative consequences, or you will continue to have the negative issues the county has today...
-Hurting local economy needs more jobs and private investment.
-No preservation without a strong economy.

Are these REALLY the only choices? No way!

Almost ANY OTHER form of attraction would be preferable. Anything that doesn't involve vice (sorry to all the gamblers out there, I consider it a vice) and is family-friendly. Build a water park, "Six Flags over Gettysburg", something, anything ELSE.

There are PLENTY of other ways to bring jobs, money, and investment to Gettysburg that don't involve a casino and won't detract from those who are attracted to the area solely for historical tourism. That battlefield is the goose that lays the golden eggs. All they need to do to keep raking in the dough is to NOT mess it up. For crying out loud, the math ain't that difficult! Just give mom and the kids something to do while dad looks at stone markers, dirt, and old relics!

[Mark Lavoie]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

My two cents! I was born an raised in Groton Ct. where they built the Foxwoods casino. They said it would bring much needed jobs to the State. It would cure all of the financial problems of the State. The only thing it did in my view was increase the crime in the area,because all those jobs we were going to get are instead going to people who have come here from another country to take the jobs we were supposed to get. When I went back for a visit I noticed that my town was no longer my town,it was occupied by people from another country. To build a casino at Gettysburg is in my opinion, a criminal offence, a lie to the people, and complete disrespect for our ancestors both north and south. Who ever is responsible for the idea to do such a thing should be HUNG FROM A SOUR APPLE TREE !! Take a look at the police log in the local news paper, The Day,New London,Ct. an you will see how good a casino works, about as good as the lottery,which was going to save our schools ! Ya,Right!!

[BarryDusel]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Please remember the spokesman for GBPA
Brendan Synnamon
Café Saint-Amand
48 Baltimore St.
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-2700
He's the spokesman for the group that has prostituted itself to the Gaming Industry. Keep the business in mind when in Gettysburg and Boycott it.

[sniabar]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Why in god's name would anyone pick the beautiful area around Gettysburg for a casino and not expect a brutal and very expensive fight? The stupidity in this country never ends.

R.G.Eckel
1st Arkansas (pending)

[1stmd]

Re: Stabbed in the back by the GBPA

Brendan and is father are also the owners of the union drummer boy relic shop and the union cigar club. This is not the first time the gbpa said a casino is a good idea the 1st time around they were pro casino and in return the casino folks paid off the gbpa"s debt on the daniel lady farm. What a shame they sold out !!
tim cole