A major battlefield tour company in Gettysburg has announced support for the proposed Mason Dixon Resort & Casino in Cumberland Township.

Gettysburg Tours Inc. has entered into an exclusive agreement with Mason Dixon Resort & Casino, co-partner David LeVan to produce sightseeing tours for guests.

According to LeVan, guests of the proposed resort casino at the Eisenhower Inn will have the opportunity to go on several different battlefield tours.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, LeVan stated that: “Gettysburg Tours has helped share our area’s rich historic heritage with countless people.”

Gettysburg Tours President Kenneth J. Rohrbaugh said his agency’s partnership with Mason-Dixon is a “natural fit” for his heritage tourism business. Rohrbaugh also owns the Jennie Wade House & Museum, Soldiers National Museum, the Hall of Presidents & First Ladies and Soldiers National Museum in Gettysburg.

“The rebirth of this special resort, which has been a part of Adams County for more than a generation, is going to be a tremendous benefit to our community during this difficult economic time,” Rohrbaugh said regarding the Eisenhower Inn and Conference Center, located along Business 15, south of Gettysburg.

LeVan and business partner Joseph Lashinger have proposed converting the 300-room Eisenhower Inn in Cumberland Township into a slots resort. They are applying for the state’s lone remaining Category Three gaming license by the April 7 deadline.

By Scot Andrew Pitzer

Copyright © 2010 – Gettysburg Times

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GOVERNOR RENDELL: “As you know…I keep fighting. The legislature keeps trying to eliminate it. Other states have totally eliminated money for the arts. We’ve seen about a 10 percent reduction, and I’m fighting to hold it at that.”

SCOT PITZER: “So, you’re fighting to keep art programming?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “Absolutely. In Senate bill 850, the one they gave me last year during the budget crisis, they totally lined it out.”

SCOT PITZER: “Legislators from smaller counties often feel that legislators from larger counties get the lion’s share of funds in the Commonwealth. Do you feel that smaller counties – - – like Adams County – - – get their fair share?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “It’s interesting. I believe that prior to me becoming Governor, the answer to that was no. I have…determined that we’ve invested in Adams County since I became Governor $97.8 million dollars, from the state alone. Energy projects – $9 million; economic development projects – $11m; PennDOT projects – $20 million; housing projects -$15 million; RCAP – things like the Majestic & Visitor Center, $17 million; tourism grants – $2 million.”

SCOT PITZER: “So during your tenure, you have made a commitment to smaller areas.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “Absolutely – and I did this with absolute premeditation, because I thought they were getting the short end of the stick, particularly in Pennsylvania’s third-class cities, like Gettysburg. As a result, you’ve seen a lot of third-class cities bounce back, like Wilkes-Barre, Erie, York and Lancaster.”

SCOT PITZER: “In 2005, there was a proposal to build a gaming facility in Adams County. Now, there is a license available that will probably be applied for by a local businessman. It could generate a lot of dollars in our economically strapped county, but there has been opposition, saying that it doesn’t belong five miles from Gettysburg. How would you feel about a gaming facility in Adams County?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “I said when the proposal first came out (in 2005), I said it was too close to the battlefield and too close to our heritage tourism. But I am told that this new location is much closer to the Maryland border…and that would make it less objectionable. Again it’s not my decision, it’s the Gaming Control Board, and I do not correspond with them…deliberately. Under the law, it’s their decision. If I were the decision-maker, this proposal is better and less objectionable than the last one. And you should know, for the record, that David LeVan was a heavy supporter of mine when I ran for Governor. I haven’t taken any money from him since, because he’s a potential gaming applicant. But he was a heavy supporter of mine. I’m friends with him.”

SCOT PITZER: “Describe your relationship.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “He was a CEO in Philadelphia, and I was Mayor at the time. We had a great relationship and he supported me. When I ran for Governor, he supported me. When he became a gaming applicant, I stopped taking money from him. Even though the law says I can now – - – the Supreme Court threw out that limitation – - – I’ve taken the position that I don’t take money.”

SCOT PITZER: “Do you talk on a regular basis?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “When I come up here, I usually see him. He did a great deal with the Majestic. With the state funds and with what he did personally, it revived the Majestic Theater.”

SCOT PITZER: “So, you look at this project more favorably than the previous one?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “I would say less objectionable. If you draw from Maryland, that’s always a plus. We’ve done a great job getting back our money from New Jersey. There was a month a couple of months ago where our slots revenue was greater than New Jersey.”

SCOT PITZER: “You don’t have any table games right now.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “Not until July.”

SCOT PITZER: “You don’t have any Category Three facilities open in the state right now, either.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “None.”

SCOT PITZER: “That’s probably hurt us.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “Sure – and the fact that the two Philadelphia casinos aren’t up and running. Sugar House is scheduled open in August, so that should help revenues dramatically.”

SCOT PITZER: “You’re in your last year in Harrisburg. What are your plans after this term.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “I’m concentrating so much on getting things done in my last year…I know I’m going to teach (at the Univ. of Pa.), and I’ll expand that. I do some sports television – - – I’ll probably do more of that. I’m writing a book, and certainly that’s on the agenda. I’ve started to write it, and I’ll finish it once I’m out of office. We’ll see from there. I believe the future takes care of itself. What I really want to focus on, I don’t want to divert any attention away from these last 10 months, because we really need to get things done…alternative energy standards are crucial for our economic growth, and we need to give school districts relief by passing that consolidated health care plan.”

SCOT PITZER: “You’ve been on various news channels discussing health care. What’s your opinion on the single-payment plan? Do you believe that health care reform will pass any time soon?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “If the federal bill passes, it wont really take effect until 2014 anyway. The only thing the federal bill will do right away is end the possibility of you being denied for a pre-existing condition. The rest of it is by 2014.”

SCOT PITZER: “Are you optimistic?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “I was optimistic until the abortion (debate). Now, there are 12 Democrats who aren’t going to vote for it in the House unless they put anti-abortion language in (the bill). That could cause the whole thing to blow up. It’s one of these things where Monday, it looks good. Tuesday, it looks bad. By Wednesday, it’s good, and Thursday it’s bad. So you won’t know until they actually call the roll. But they ought to pass it, because as the President said, it might not be the politically-smart thing to do, but it’s the right thing to do. Sometimes, in this business you have to the right thing and worry about the consequences later.”

SCOT PITZER: “Talk about the ramifications of the performance of the Obama administration in the upcoming elections.”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “It’s too soon to tell, I mean tell me what the economy is going to look like in October, the unemployment rate, the housing market…if you can give me an idea of how those things are going to be, I’ll tell you whether the Obama administration will be a plus or minus for Democrats running in November, but it’s too soon to tell. We’ve got some actual good news – - – they were predicting that unemployment rate would shoot back over 10 percent, and it stayed at 9.7 (percent).”

SCOT PITZER: “If you were running for office, would you ask President Obama to campaign for you?”

GOVERNOR RENDELL: “I am a huge believer, and I’ve said this for 30 years, that endorsements are overrated. If you’re running for governor or mayor, people decide based on the candidate. People always ask me for my endorsement – I say, I’ll give it to you, but I think it’s meaningless. But , I would still take the president’s support, because I think he speaks well to Democrats, and in Pennsylvania, we have 1.3 million more Democrats than other registered voters. It’ll be an interesting year.”

By Scot Andrew Pitzer

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FRED SNYDER: “A good Tuesday morning – it is the Breakfast Nook. This morning we are brought to you by, Gettysburg Hospital Wellspan…and Gettysburg Lutheran Retirement Village. Like we do every month, and I like to time this program the morning after they have their monthly (business) meeting, it is the Gettysburg Borough Show. The Gettysburg Borough Council met last night. We have a new council person with us, he took Dick Peterson’s seat in the 3rd Ward after he was elected last year…I want to bring in Graham Weaver, good morning Graham.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “Good morning Fred, glad to be here.”

FRED SNYDER: “For those who don’t know you well, a little background. Are you from Gettysburg?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “No I’m not – as a matter of fact, I’m rather new to the area, and it would be appropriate for me to give you a little background. I’ve been here for about five years. I spent most of my life in the Washington D.C. area where I worked in both government and business. I’ve also been a lifelong history buff and Civil War buff, so when it came time to retire, I was looking at various locations, and decided on Gettysburg. One thing that I can say over folks that have lived here all their lives, I didn’t end up here by accident. I chose it over everywhere else in the United States, and I think it was a great choice, because it’s a great community to live, work and play.”

FRED SNYDER: “What is your background, as far as education and work experience?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “What I’ve done in terms of government: naval officer during Vietnam War. After that, I went to work for the Interior Dept…I worked in the area of Congressional affairs. Also, I worked on Capitol Hill as a press secretary, quite some years ago. I worked as a legislative representative for the American Dental Association, and I put in many years working as a Navy support contractor. That’s my background in a nutshell. I’ve been involved in politics in Maryland…I ran four times, won twice, lost twice, so an even-steven split there on wins and losses. When I came up to Gettysburg, I had no intentions of getting involved in politics. Then, what happened that changed that all around: my cat ran away. I knocked on every door in Colt Park. She was gone for five months, and then came back on her own. But in the course of knocking on doors to find my cat, I found John Murphy, who used to be on council. I started having breakfast with him, joined by Dick Peterson, and one thing led to another, so here I am.”

FRED SNYDER: “I know you’ve only been on (council) for a month, but I also know that you attended (council) meetings before being seated. We’re going to ask your opinion on various topics, but first of all, I’ve got to ask you about the snow situation in Gettysburg. Where are you going to put the next dump?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “Maybe in your front yard (laughs). We’re very proud of our Highway Department – Dan Hilliard and his crew have done a magnificent job in terms of clearing away the snow. My own street was plowed several times, and I’ve heard the same feedback from others. With this approaching snow storm, given the (department’s) recent track, I believe we can look forward with confidence as far as the snow being taken care of with efficiency.”

FRED SNYDER: “Where are you putting it? Are you putting it over at the Rec Park?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “I’m not sure – I really don’t know.”

FRED SNYDER: “From what you hear, the highway department is ready?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “They are ready, and I think they’ll do a great job once again.”

FRED SNYDER: “We had a Gettysburg Borough meeting last night, and I guess this is your second meeting sitting on the board. What do you think? What’s your view on how the meetings are conducted? Do you think they’re structured OK?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “I think they’re generally well-run, as far as (President) John Butterfield presiding over them. Everyone is given an opportunity to speak. There’s no suppressing of opinion. We certainly, last night, voiced our opinion on various things, so I’m content with that process.”

FRED SNYDER: “I’m going to ask you something that was in the newspaper this morning, in regard to a police four-wheel drive vehicle. You were the only dissenting vote to this – it’s my understanding that you questioned the protocol as the vehicle, with how it was to be procured.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “If I could address that – I got a call from the Mayor at 4 o’clock Monday afternoon, asking to support the purchase of the four-wheel drive vehicle. I didn’t have any objections to it. I just wanted there to be more discussion, to see if the borough did in fact need this, and I wanted to hear more from the chief of police. We have a process in the borough, where if we’re making a major purchase, we run this through the finance committee, so it can be looked over very carefully. It’s a major expenditure, and we shouldn’t just hop into it. Since we had a time crunch with the finance committee looking at this purchase, I called (Councilman) Bob Krummerich (chairman of finance committee) and suggested that we have a special emergency meeting immediately before the full council met, to give us an opportunity to explore this vehicle with the chief of police. When I completed that phone call, I was under the impression that (Krummerich) was agreeable to that, but somewhere along the line, the idea got dropped, and it was put in front of the full council, without being properly vetted with the committee. As long as we have the committee structure, I think we ought to follow the rules. I didn’t have any problems with the purchase of the vehicle – just following the rules.”

FRED SNYDER: “My understanding of it was that the (vehicle) was already in the budget, 2009 budget, and they cut it out of there. The idea was, once the money was available, we’re going to buy it. Of course, that money from the federal government…

GRAHAM WEAVER: “Right, that’s where the money came from.”

FRED SNYDER: “The $200-plus thousand…”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “That wasn’t a concern of mine, the money, it’s just that I feel that we need to use the money carefully and prudently. For that reason, I wanted to be completely assured that this was a necessary purchase. I’m kind of surprised that they didn’t want to have an emergency meeting of the finance committee. I feel we should explore every expense of a significant nature with care.”

FRED SNYDER: “What’s on top of your mind with the borough? It’s no secret that the borough has the highest millage rate in the county. What are some of the things that concern you?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “We do have the highest millage rate in the county, and taxes are a big concern of mine. When I ran for Borough Council, I point out that I was running in the only contested election last year. The other people that ran were all uncontested. That meant I had to go around and knock on doors and talk to people. In the Republican primary, I got 67 percent over two opponents, and was unopposed in the general (election). In fact, I got the Democratic nomination was well, through write-ins. Now having said that and talked to all of those people, my campaign was based – - – and each piece of literature I handed out – - – said fight higher taxes. This message resonated well with the people of the 3rd Ward. I got the feeling that they want the line held on taxes. I kind of approach the whole thing on taxes and spending a little differently than probably the majority of elected officials here and other parts of the country. There’s a basic tendency on the part of elected officials to view the business of taxes and spending from the perspective of their own level of government, and that’s very understandable. You’re dealing with these problems day after day, and you look at it from the point of view of your own perspective. But what you need to do is look at it from the perspective of the taxpayer. The taxpayer here in Adams County and in Pennsylvania is faced with the prospect of tax increases, not just in the borough – - – we just had one of those – - – but five – - – count them Fred – - – five different levels of government.”

FRED SNYDER: “Oh sure.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “First of all you have the borough. Secondly, you have the school district, and you’ve seen the articles where they’re talking about a two mill hike at that level. You also have a reassessment being conducted by Adams County. I know it’s supposed to be revenue neutral, but it will go up for people and down for others, so some people will get a hit on that. Then looking at the state of Pennsylvania, what you see is that in 2012, we’re going to have a big pension problem, which is going to be very pricey for all concerned. And finally, we have the federal government, and we still don’t know how that’s going to shake out, except that they spend money in billion and trillion dollar increments and that money has to come from somewhere. The result is, the taxpayers – - – and I try to look at it from their point of view – - – are faced with a lot of increases and for that reason, it behooves all of us at all levels of government to bear that in mind and be extremely prudent before spending new money.”

FRED SNYDER: “Well, you don’t have a lot of money to work with in the borough right now.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “That’s true.”

FRED SNYDER: “You’ve got some real issues there with the (parking) garage, crumbling infrastructure, and fixing the borough building.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “No question about it.”

FRED SNYDER: “I think, the police department is your biggest cost, isn’t it?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “That’s true. Right now, we have two vacancies in the police department, and while we’re working on the future expenses for the coming year, we should probably hold off on filling those vacancies, at least in the short term.”

FRED SNYDER: “We’re going to take a little break here, Graham. When we come back, I’m going to ask you your thoughts on the sign ordinance, the noise ordinance, the gun ordinance – - – that was turned over last night – - – the firing of blanks, and a couple of other things. My guest this morning is Borough Councilman Graham Weaver. He’s the new kid on the block, as far as council is concerned. Don’t go anywhere, we’ll be right back.”

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FRED SNYDER: “My guest this morning is Councilman Graham Weaver, he’s the new face on council. He just took the seat in January. Graham, I’m going to throw some stuff out at you…and get your impressions. The first (topic) is the ADA issue in Gettysburg. That has caused some great concern, what are your feelings on that?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “We’re concerned about that too. There have been a number of suits filed, under that act, we’re required to try and ensure that handicap folks have access to sidewalks through ramps, and we’re in the process of making those changes. It will take time, it will take money, but we’re actively working on it.”

FRED SNYDER: “The sign ordinance. I know you’ve only been here five years, but I think the sign ordinance and updating the thing has been kicked around for about that long too. What is your feeling on that? Do you have something that everyone can live with? I understand that some of the sign makers have been meeting with the borough people, and they’re coming to a successful conclusion.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “That’s correct, I believe they had some more meetings last month, and they’ve kind of narrowed it down to an ordinance that will pass muster. It’s planned to come up at the March meeting, and be acted on by council at that time, so it’s about ready to go.”

FRED SNYDER: “The noise ordinance, I know you’ve been in Gettysburg for five years. It’s been the last two years that this piece of legislation has been kicking around. It still hasn’t been finalized yet. Where are you with regard to noise?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “The ordinance that’s currently being considered was patterned after one over in Lancaster. This particular version has been found to be enforceable, and it’s – - – I believe – - – considered to be something that will past muster in the courts, should that be necessary. I support the idea of having some limitations on noise, where it’s feasible. When I first came here to Gettysburg, and started looking for a house, I looked at a house on Baltimore Street. The noise from the motorcycles was so loud that I said uh-uh, I don’t want to go there. I want to move over into a more quiet neighborhood, so that’s what led me to Colt Park. So yes, I do think we need to take a look at doing controls over noise.”

FRED SNYDER: “You mentioned noise, what about trucks?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “That’s also true. People also complain about idling tour buses. You’re quite correct in mentioning others.”

FRED SNYDER: “You mentioned the fact that you might want to put a hold on getting these two other police officers. You’re going to need people that would enforce this (noise) law, once you put it into effect, have you guys given thought to cost and manpower?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “That’s something that has to be taken a look at. I’m not sure if this is something that can be enforced by the police officers that are currently out there – - – just one more thing for them to look at, but that has to be factored in as well.”

FRED SNYDER: “There is a proposal to put a gaming resort outside of Gettysburg in Cumberland Township. We were talking earlier about expenses and property tax relief, and of course everybody’s looking for a break on their taxes, and this may help a bit. What’s your feeling on a resort outside of Gettysburg?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “First of all, have you gotten any break on your taxes?”

FRED SNYDER: “Actually, I did last year.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “Oh, you did?”

FRED SNYDER: “It was 100-some bucks.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “Oh OK, well good.”

FRED SNYDER: “Yeah.”

GRAHAM WEAVER: I’m personally against the casino. I was last time, and I am this time. If I wanted to retire to a gambling community, I would have gone to Atlantic City or Las Vegas. I think it could also lead to problems that aren’t discussed much…like additional strains on the infrastructure, a lot more cars on the road, the Emmitsburg Pike coming up from the Eisenhower Center toward town. In addition to that, there’s the potential for social problems. Habitual gamblers have ruined their lives, broken marriages, lost houses – - – these are extreme cases, they have been reported. Basically, I like the environment of the community the way it is. There is a lot of division on the part of residents in the community about whether to have it. A poll was run in the Hanover Sun recently, that showed 43 percent in favor, and I guess about 33 percent or so opposed as far as the casino. That’s the latest poll, however, keep in mind that only 43 percent were for (the casino), and of the people that had a strong opinion on it, those people that were against outnumbered the pros by about a 2-to-1 factor. Others that gave the 43 percent to the pros were people that, in many cases, well, as long as you ask me, I’m for it.”

FRED SNYDER: “Real quick, your ideas to stimulate economic development here in this area. You know, the suggestion was made that bringing in the gaming facility might do that. Do you have some alternate ideas on how to increase economic development?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “I’d like to see more done in terms of increasing tourism type businesses. Now, I expect to be getting involved in the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 150th anniversary. A lot of work is being done on this, by Main Street, and this is being done from the perspective of not only having a celebration, but also getting an economic bounce for the community. I would sooner spend my efforts encouraging that kind of new business in Gettysburg rather than a gambling casino.”

FRED SNYDER: “So, you think there’s a future in tourism then?”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “It’s our biggest economic base now. Depending on who you talk to, we have anywhere from 1.8 to 2-3 million people, visitors, annually.”

FRED SNYDER: “Graham we’re out of time…”

GRAHAM WEAVER: “Thanks for having me.”

FRED SNYDER: “Councilman Graham Weaver, our guest this morning on the Gettysburg Borough Show. That does it for the Breakfast Nook. We’ll be right back.”

TRANSCRIPT: 02/09/10 – Gettysburg Councilman Graham Weaver appears on 1320 WGET with host Fred Snyder

By Scot Andrew Pitzer

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During a Tuesday morning interview with radio host Fred Snyder on 1320 WGET, Weaver became the second council member since the New Year to publicly voice concern over Gettysburg businessman David LeVan’s casino project.

“I’m personally against the casino,” said Weaver, now in his second month on the nine-member Borough Council. “I was last time, and I am this time.”

He vocally opposed LeVan’s previous gaming proposal: Crossroads Gaming Resort & Spa in Straban Township. Now, LeVan is eyeing a Category Three slots license to convert the Eisenhower Inn along Business 15 south of Gettysburg into a casino.

“If I wanted to retire to a gambling community, I would have gone to Atlantic City or Las Vegas,” said Weaver, who moved to Gettysburg’s Colt Park five years ago, after a long career in government.

“Basically, I like the environment of the community the way it is,” said Weaver, noting a recent newspaper poll about the project. “There is a lot of division on the part of residents in the community about whether to have it.”

Weaver fears that the proposed Mason Dixon Resort & Casino “could lead to problems that aren’t discussed much…like additional strains on infrastructure, a lot more cars on the road, the Emmitsburg Pike coming up from the Eisenhower Center toward town.”

He also forecast potential “social problems.” “Habitual gamblers have ruined their lives, broken marriages, lost houses – - – these are extreme cases, they have been reported,” said Weaver.

Last month, Council President John Butterfield also raised apprehension about the project’s impact on the borough, explaining that LeVan and business partner Joseph Lashinger had made “no overtures” to council.

It is unlikely that any “overtures” will be made to Borough Council. After being promised $2 million in annual gaming revenues from the Crossroads slots project in 2006, the cash-strapped borough government is unlikely to receive a cut from the Mason Dixon proposal.

However, LeVan and Lashinger have pitched the proposal to the Adams County Commissioners and Cumberland Township. Officials in each municipality have been informed that, under a state gaming formula that determines local government share, it would take $50 million in casino revenues to generate $1 million in tax revenue for the county and Cumberland Township.

While those revenues would represent about one-third of Cumberland’s annual budget, Weaver argued that there are “other ways” to stimulate economic growth in Adams County, at a time when the unemployment rate has topped eight percent.

“I’d like to see more done in terms of increasing tourism type businesses… I would sooner spend my efforts encouraging that kind of new business in Gettysburg rather than a gambling casino,” said Weaver.

Weaver’s entire interview can be found at: www.gettysburgtimes.com/articles/2010/02/10/blogs/doc4b724131a8ebd930093361.txt

By Scot Andrew Pitzer

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The township also unveiled legislation Tuesday night that would tax mechanical devices — like slots machines — $100 each on an annual basis.

Gettysburg businessman David LeVan and former state lawmaker Joseph Lashinger are applying for the state’s lone remaining casino license, to transform the Eisenhower Inn and All-Star Sports Complex into an exclusive slots resort: Mason Dixon Resort & Casino.

“We have to allow gaming somewhere in the township,” Board of Supervisors Chairman David P. Waybright said following a 40-minute meeting Tuesday night. “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has determined that gaming is an allowable activity,” added Waybright.

LeVan and attorney Bernard A. Yannetti Jr. attended the meeting, but did not speak.

The Eisenhower Inn is located along Business 15 in Cumberland Township, two miles from the Maryland border, atop land that is zoned for mixed-use commercial development.

According to the proposed zoning change, a gaming facility would be allowable only in the township’s mixed-use district. A casino is currently not an allowable land-use within Cumberland Township, but state law must include language for every type of development.

Waybright explained that Mason Dixon Resort “requested the zoning change” within the past month. No project plans have been submitted.

Supervisors voted unanimously to advertise the zoning revisions, and scheduled a meeting March 2 to render a final decision. The meeting is being held at 7 p.m.

Also, the five-person board voted to advertise its proposed mechanical device ordinance, for adoption at its regularly scheduled Feb. 23 session.

“The township has been working on an ordinance concerning the mechanical device fees,” said Chairman Waybright. “I think we are ready to advertise this ordinance for adoption.”

If adopted, a levy would be imposed coin-operated machines of amusement, and the tax would be collected on a yearly basis. The tax rate is set as a percentage of the price to activate the machine, such as jukeboxes, pinball and video games, and pool tables.

“A lot of townships have it, but we don’t,” said new Supervisor Randy Phiel.

Board Vice Chairwoman Barbara Underwood explained that township administration will enforce the ordinance — opposed to police. The township lacks an ordinance allowing it to collect the tax, unlike the Borough of Gettysburg, which has an ordinance in place, but does not enforce it.

Slot machines fit the definition of a mechanical device, and each of the proposed 600 machines at the Mason Dixon Resort & Casino would be subject to the tax, adding $60,000 to the township’s coffers.

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He did — however — acknowledge that “there are probably some other places that would be more appropriate for a casino.”

“This is one of the most unique communities in the state, with its history,” added Casey.

Local businessman David LeVan and former state lawmaker Joseph Lashinger have teamed up to form the “Mason Dixon Resort & Casino” project. LeVan and Lashinger are eyeing the state’s lone remaining “Category Three” slots license.

The key word: “state.”

“It’s a state issue,” said Casey, explaining that the federal government has “zero influence” in Pennsylvania’s gaming application process.

The first term Pennsylvania senator pointed out that gaming laws are primarily handled by individual state governments, opposed to the federal level.

So even if he receives a million calls and emails at his Washington, Harrisburg or Erie offices — pro or con — Casey won’t be a factor.

Neither will other federal lawmakers.

In fact, Casey (now in his fourth year in Washington) said Congress has “zero influence” over state gaming proposals.

“We have heard from people, but you try to point them in the proper direction,” he said.

Casey recalled LeVan’s previous gaming proposal in 2005-06: the failed Crossroads Gaming Resort in Straban Township. At the time, Casey was serving as state treasurer, a position he held until 2007 when he defeated incumbent Rick Santorum in the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race. The plan was rejected by the state’s Gaming Control Board, primarily because of the opposition it generated.

“I sat in all of those meetings and hearings as treasurer, and every time, you’d have three or four people from Gettysburg in the front row,” said Casey. He called the project’s objectors “passionate.”

Supporters of the Mason Dixon project tout economic development and new jobs, referencing the eight percent unemployment rate in Adams County.

Opponents argue that the Eisenhower Inn, along Business 15 in southern Cumberland Township, is too close to the Gettysburg Battlefield, and will therefore “tarnish” Hallowed Ground.

Area lawmakers, such as State Rep. Dan Moul and Pa. Senator Richard Alloway, are staying neutral on the project, noting the divisiveness of the issue. They probably should take a stance, but refuse to do so.

Others, like Casey, simply don’t have a dog in the fight.

And he shouldn’t.

By Scot Andrew Pitzer

Copyright © 2010 – Gettysburg Times

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Borough officials say they have not been approached by local businessman David LeVan, who hopes to transform the Eisenhower Inn into an exclusive slots resort.

But it’s not just the money that concerns new Borough Council President John Butterfield.
“It will affect our infrastructure,” said Butterfield. “If people come here from Maryland, they’ll stay in town.”

LeVan and his business partner Joseph Lashinger have presented the project to the Adams County Commissioners and Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors, but Butterfield said that “they have made no overtures to us at all.”

Under a state gaming law formula that determines local government share, it would take $50 million in casino revenues to generate $1 million in tax revenue for the county and Cumberland Township.

The borough is not a part of that formula — at least for now — and LeVan spokesperson Dave LaTorre said he was unsure if the borough would be included in future discussions.

Fourteen-year Councilman Ted Streeter, the board’s former president, doesn’t envision casino revenues being offered to the cash-strapped borough this time around.

“It’s unlikely that any revenue-sharing agreement directly between the borough and the casino will materialize,” said Streeter.

Butterfield acknowledged that he “wouldn’t expect” Mason Dixon Resort to make a presentation to the borough, “unless out of the goodness of their hearts, they’d be willing to offset infrastructure and police costs.” The third-year board member was not on Borough Council during the Crossroad Gaming Resort public hearings and deliberations in 2005-06.
“I hope they do come to us at some point and tell us what sort of impact it would have on the community,” he said.
Streeter recalled the failed Crossroads Gaming Resort project, which literally split the nine-member board in 2005-06.

The project was proposed for the intersection of U.S. 15 and Route 30, about two miles from borough boundaries. But to gain support from Borough Council, LeVan guaranteed $1 million in annual gaming revenue from the slots parlor, which would have represented one-fourth of the town’s $4 million budget. Later, after a revenue-sharing agreement was crafted between the borough, county and Straban Township, the borough would have received up to $2.5 million in the first year of operation from the casino, with the figure escalating on a yearly basis. Streeter noted that only 50 percent of the town’s properties are taxable, so the borough struggles to balance its budget every year.

At the time, Streeter testified in favor of the project before the state’s Gaming Control Board, noting that the nine-member board voted 6-3, and later 5-4, in favor of the project. But the Gaming Control Board rejected the proposal in 2006, citing opposition to the project.

“I must confess that, as I presided over the casino hearings, I couldn’t quite understand the perspective of the ‘cons’,” said Streeter. “Their argument that a casino would bring organized crime, prostitution, pawn shops, gin mills and other nefarious activities into the area didn’t seem valid to me.”

The Mason Dixon project is proposed for land along Business 15 in southern Adams County. Still, Butterfield said he’d like to see visitation projections, including winter and summer estimates and overnight stays.

“There is a little bit of…I wouldn’t say concern, but interest as to what this would do to the borough,” Butterfield said Tuesday morning on 1320 WGET.

“Of course, we’d have to make infrastructure improvements, or at least consider our infrastructure if we got a significant number of people,” said Butterfield, noting that the Mason Dixon project is “certainly not a done deal.”

“These are peripheral things that we’d like to hear about at some point,” he concluded.

LeVan has secured an option to purchase the Eisenhower Inn, which is located atop land that is already home to commercial and recreational development. As part of the State Legislature’s table game law, the Gaming Control board has reopened the gaming application process. LeVan, who owns Battlefield Harley Davidson near Gettysburg, plans to file an application by the April deadline. There is one Category III license available for a “slots resort,” which are issued to existing hotels

By Scot Andrew Pitzer

Copyright © 2010 – Gettysburg Times

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