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Kicking back at casino zoning hearing
By MEG BERNHARDT
The Hanover Evening Sun
August 29, 2006
During a tense Straban Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting Monday night, police issued a harassment citation when one man said another kicked him following a heated casino debate.
The board was gathered for the fifth time to hear testimony on a proposal by Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa LP to build a slots parlor at the intersection of routes 15 and 30.
A lawyer representing eight Straban Township residents opposed to the casino had just called No Casino Gettysburg member Keith Miller to the stand to talk about his evaluation of Crossroads' traffic-impact study. Crossroads attorney Jeff Ernico challenged Miller's testimony because Miller, a business consultant, is not a traffic engineer and the board took a break to discuss whether to allow the testimony.
It was then that Straban Township resident and casino opponent Phil Bloch kicked Ken Braim, a casino supporter.
"He was yelling at me and I said 'You know, I don't have to take this,'" Braim said. "So I turned around and he kicked me in the middle of my back."
Then, Braim called police and Bloch was issued the citation. The incident did not disturb the hearing.
Bloch said he had been aggravated earlier in the night because Braim kept clapping.
"I told him the casino issue should be about character," Bloch said. "When people visit Gettysburg, it should be a solemn occasion."
Braim said he kept telling Bloch how much the area needed tax breaks. Bloch said Braim wouldn't answer Bloch's questions.
And when Braim turned his back, Bloch said Braim stuck his butt in Bloch's face. That was just too much, Bloch said.
"I shouldn't have touched him," Bloch said. "I let (Braim) get my goat."
Bloch denies he stuck his butt out, and said he has witnesses that plan to come testify.
Bloch said he believes the fight shows the casino debate is a heated issue close to people's hearts.
But Braim said only some people cause problems. He has friends who oppose the casino that he still goes hunting with.
"When this is all over, we're still going to be friends," Braim said. "But some people are like that."
No Casino chairwoman Susan Star Paddock said violence of any kind is inexcusable, stupid and counterproductive. But she said the casino proposal has been causing emotions to run high in the town.
"It's a terribly divisive issue," Paddock said. "As soon as the casino was proposed there was a lot of anger in this community."
Monday's hearing provided another installment of testimony to decide if the Crossroads proposal fits current zoning of the land. The issue is complicated because casinos weren't permitted in Straban Township when the zoning was written.
The board listened to testimony Monday night about the impact of traffic Crossroads will bring to Route 30 and anti-casino testimony about the casino's potential negative effects.
During cross-examination of Jay States, vice president of Grove Miller Engineering Inc., Ernico said casino investors are willing to conduct a traffic count after the casino is built. If the counts don't match up to the studies Grove Miller have prepared, then Crossroads will pay for needed improvements, Ernico said.
But Keith Miller, who ultimately was not allowed to testify on traffic matters, questioned whether the Grove Miller study could be trusted.
But Paddock said her organization can't pay for a traffic engineer and instead must rely on dedicated volunteers to review the technical studies and raise questions and concerns that otherwise could be ignored.
Paddock's husband, Jim Paddock, also testified as an expert landscape architect about the preferable landscaping to screen the township's recreation park from the neighboring casino and parking garage.
He suggested a 20-foot-high berm with an 8-foot-tall fence and trees would help screen the structures and keep out noise and fumes from buses and cars at the casino. His plan would require the casino to move 120 feet to make room for the gradual slope of the berm.
During cross examination, Jim Paddock admitted he was against the casino project in general and did not wish to see it in Adams County at all.
Historian Chuck Teague was the last to testify Monday night.
He pulled out Civil War-era maps, including ones approved by Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, the chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac, to show the casino will be placed on land that he considers to be part of the battle. He said northern and southern soldiers lined up on the land and were within range for cannon fire.
"I have a strong belief this is a sacrilege to the soldiers," Teague said.
Ernico questioned the validity of the maps since the entire maps were not presented.
Next month, the board members will listen to more testimony and public comment before making a final decision.
Eric
By MEG BERNHARDT
The Hanover Evening Sun
August 29, 2006
During a tense Straban Township Zoning Hearing Board meeting Monday night, police issued a harassment citation when one man said another kicked him following a heated casino debate.
The board was gathered for the fifth time to hear testimony on a proposal by Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa LP to build a slots parlor at the intersection of routes 15 and 30.
A lawyer representing eight Straban Township residents opposed to the casino had just called No Casino Gettysburg member Keith Miller to the stand to talk about his evaluation of Crossroads' traffic-impact study. Crossroads attorney Jeff Ernico challenged Miller's testimony because Miller, a business consultant, is not a traffic engineer and the board took a break to discuss whether to allow the testimony.
It was then that Straban Township resident and casino opponent Phil Bloch kicked Ken Braim, a casino supporter.
"He was yelling at me and I said 'You know, I don't have to take this,'" Braim said. "So I turned around and he kicked me in the middle of my back."
Then, Braim called police and Bloch was issued the citation. The incident did not disturb the hearing.
Bloch said he had been aggravated earlier in the night because Braim kept clapping.
"I told him the casino issue should be about character," Bloch said. "When people visit Gettysburg, it should be a solemn occasion."
Braim said he kept telling Bloch how much the area needed tax breaks. Bloch said Braim wouldn't answer Bloch's questions.
And when Braim turned his back, Bloch said Braim stuck his butt in Bloch's face. That was just too much, Bloch said.
"I shouldn't have touched him," Bloch said. "I let (Braim) get my goat."
Bloch denies he stuck his butt out, and said he has witnesses that plan to come testify.
Bloch said he believes the fight shows the casino debate is a heated issue close to people's hearts.
But Braim said only some people cause problems. He has friends who oppose the casino that he still goes hunting with.
"When this is all over, we're still going to be friends," Braim said. "But some people are like that."
No Casino chairwoman Susan Star Paddock said violence of any kind is inexcusable, stupid and counterproductive. But she said the casino proposal has been causing emotions to run high in the town.
"It's a terribly divisive issue," Paddock said. "As soon as the casino was proposed there was a lot of anger in this community."
Monday's hearing provided another installment of testimony to decide if the Crossroads proposal fits current zoning of the land. The issue is complicated because casinos weren't permitted in Straban Township when the zoning was written.
The board listened to testimony Monday night about the impact of traffic Crossroads will bring to Route 30 and anti-casino testimony about the casino's potential negative effects.
During cross-examination of Jay States, vice president of Grove Miller Engineering Inc., Ernico said casino investors are willing to conduct a traffic count after the casino is built. If the counts don't match up to the studies Grove Miller have prepared, then Crossroads will pay for needed improvements, Ernico said.
But Keith Miller, who ultimately was not allowed to testify on traffic matters, questioned whether the Grove Miller study could be trusted.
But Paddock said her organization can't pay for a traffic engineer and instead must rely on dedicated volunteers to review the technical studies and raise questions and concerns that otherwise could be ignored.
Paddock's husband, Jim Paddock, also testified as an expert landscape architect about the preferable landscaping to screen the township's recreation park from the neighboring casino and parking garage.
He suggested a 20-foot-high berm with an 8-foot-tall fence and trees would help screen the structures and keep out noise and fumes from buses and cars at the casino. His plan would require the casino to move 120 feet to make room for the gradual slope of the berm.
During cross examination, Jim Paddock admitted he was against the casino project in general and did not wish to see it in Adams County at all.
Historian Chuck Teague was the last to testify Monday night.
He pulled out Civil War-era maps, including ones approved by Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, the chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac, to show the casino will be placed on land that he considers to be part of the battle. He said northern and southern soldiers lined up on the land and were within range for cannon fire.
"I have a strong belief this is a sacrilege to the soldiers," Teague said.
Ernico questioned the validity of the maps since the entire maps were not presented.
Next month, the board members will listen to more testimony and public comment before making a final decision.
Eric