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3-way split for casino money
By MEG BERNHARDT
Hanover Evening Sun
December 5, 2006
Straban Township supervisors gave the go-ahead Monday night to a tentative split of expected Adams County casino revenues that could result in about $2.5 million going to each Straban and Gettysburg Borough.
But at least one Adams County commissioner had reservations Monday about approving the deal before state gaming regulators decide whether to license a slots parlor in Straban.
"Is that something that would sway the (Pennsylvania) Gaming Control Board?" asked Commissioner Lucy Lott, who publicly opposed the casino. "I don't know, but I don't feel comfortable signing my name before the decision is made."
The gaming board vote is scheduled to take place Dec. 20. The proposed Straban Township casino, Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa, will only be built if the gaming board grants it a coveted license to operate a slots parlor there.
Based on Crossroads' revenue projections, the county expects it will receive about $20 million. The deal approved by Straban gives 12.5 percent to Straban and Gettysburg and leaves the remaining 75 percent, $15 million, with the county.
In order to be passed, two out of three commissioners would have to vote in favor of signing a letter of intent, and Adams County Commissioner Tom Weaver said he's not sure if the votes are there.
"I am not disseminating my position on it yet," Weaver said. "You'd have to talk to the other commissioners about that."
Commissioner Glenn Snyder did not return calls seeking comment Monday, but Lott said Weaver could be the other holdout on the deal. She said he wanted a unanimous board approval on the letter of intent and threatened not to sign it without her vote.
Meanwhile, the township and borough are just eager to get a guarantee on funding.
Gettysburg Borough has been guaranteed $1 million in funding from Crossroads. It won't receive that money if the deal is accepted and the 12.5 percent exceeds $1 million. If estimates are correct, Gettysburg will get $2.5 million starting out, said Borough Council President Ted Streeter. And that number will only get bigger as time goes on, which is a big improvement over the non-escalating $1 million.
With the extra cash, the borough could replace obsolete equipment, beautify the town, bury utility lines, install brick sidewalks and do many other projects, Streeter said.
"If it does come, we want to be prepared," Streeter said.
His sentiments were echoed by Straban Township officials. The township government will only receive about $450,000 without an agreement for the county to share funds.
"I think the township should be in a position to receive as much money as possible," said Supervisor Troy Martin, who said approving the deal does not necessarily represent his personal opinion on the casino. The Board of Supervisors has remained neutral on the project so it won't be charged with bias when reviewing land-development plans.
And in a county where officials are always complaining about intermunicipal relationships, Streeter said he was happy officials had come up with a tentative plan and might move forward. Representatives from the three organizations met last week to come up with the percentage split.
"I want to give all the credit in the world to both the commissioners and the supervisors in Straban Township," Streeter said. "We all realize this is for the common good and we're all more than happy to work together to achieve this."
If a letter of intent is signed by the commissioners and Gettysburg Borough, and the casino is licensed, then all three will move forward with crafting an official agreement with three-year terms, said Straban Township Solicitor Walton Davis.
Eric
By MEG BERNHARDT
Hanover Evening Sun
December 5, 2006
Straban Township supervisors gave the go-ahead Monday night to a tentative split of expected Adams County casino revenues that could result in about $2.5 million going to each Straban and Gettysburg Borough.
But at least one Adams County commissioner had reservations Monday about approving the deal before state gaming regulators decide whether to license a slots parlor in Straban.
"Is that something that would sway the (Pennsylvania) Gaming Control Board?" asked Commissioner Lucy Lott, who publicly opposed the casino. "I don't know, but I don't feel comfortable signing my name before the decision is made."
The gaming board vote is scheduled to take place Dec. 20. The proposed Straban Township casino, Crossroads Gaming Resort and Spa, will only be built if the gaming board grants it a coveted license to operate a slots parlor there.
Based on Crossroads' revenue projections, the county expects it will receive about $20 million. The deal approved by Straban gives 12.5 percent to Straban and Gettysburg and leaves the remaining 75 percent, $15 million, with the county.
In order to be passed, two out of three commissioners would have to vote in favor of signing a letter of intent, and Adams County Commissioner Tom Weaver said he's not sure if the votes are there.
"I am not disseminating my position on it yet," Weaver said. "You'd have to talk to the other commissioners about that."
Commissioner Glenn Snyder did not return calls seeking comment Monday, but Lott said Weaver could be the other holdout on the deal. She said he wanted a unanimous board approval on the letter of intent and threatened not to sign it without her vote.
Meanwhile, the township and borough are just eager to get a guarantee on funding.
Gettysburg Borough has been guaranteed $1 million in funding from Crossroads. It won't receive that money if the deal is accepted and the 12.5 percent exceeds $1 million. If estimates are correct, Gettysburg will get $2.5 million starting out, said Borough Council President Ted Streeter. And that number will only get bigger as time goes on, which is a big improvement over the non-escalating $1 million.
With the extra cash, the borough could replace obsolete equipment, beautify the town, bury utility lines, install brick sidewalks and do many other projects, Streeter said.
"If it does come, we want to be prepared," Streeter said.
His sentiments were echoed by Straban Township officials. The township government will only receive about $450,000 without an agreement for the county to share funds.
"I think the township should be in a position to receive as much money as possible," said Supervisor Troy Martin, who said approving the deal does not necessarily represent his personal opinion on the casino. The Board of Supervisors has remained neutral on the project so it won't be charged with bias when reviewing land-development plans.
And in a county where officials are always complaining about intermunicipal relationships, Streeter said he was happy officials had come up with a tentative plan and might move forward. Representatives from the three organizations met last week to come up with the percentage split.
"I want to give all the credit in the world to both the commissioners and the supervisors in Straban Township," Streeter said. "We all realize this is for the common good and we're all more than happy to work together to achieve this."
If a letter of intent is signed by the commissioners and Gettysburg Borough, and the casino is licensed, then all three will move forward with crafting an official agreement with three-year terms, said Straban Township Solicitor Walton Davis.
Eric
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