NO CASINO GETTYSBURG
June 14 was the last day for David LeVan to apply to the PA Horse Racing Commission, and that afternoon he announced:
“I’ve decided against submitting an application. Unfortunately, the uncertainty surrounding the gaming expansion legislation in Harrisburg makes it impossible for me to commit to this project at this time.
… But I remain hopeful for our county's future.”
The Gaming legislation he cites is HB 271, passed by the House and in committee in the PA Senate now. LeVan says he is withdrawing because that law may change the current racino license to a stand-alone casino. If another license becomes available it is likely LeVan will apply for it.
We must remain vigilant!
At the Freedom Township Supervisors meeting last night the Supervisors approved the Referendum, and that will be on the November 7 Ballot.The Freedom residents decided they want to go ahead to forever prevent a racino, and demonstrate how strongly they disagree with any casino.
The Referendum is allowed by the 2nd Class Township Code. The citizens who wanted it had to meet 2 criteria and they met both. The township No Casino residents are represented by attorney Susan Smith. Her legal opinion of the referendum question is at https://www.nocasinogettysburg.org/assets/Opinion_Letter_Racetrack_final.pdf To meet the criteria for the referendum, the proposed racetrack needed to be within 50 AIR MILES of the center of Penn National Race Track in Grantville, PA. The surveyors found it is exactly 49.55 air miles! Here is the map done by surveyors. https://www.nocasinogettysburg.org/assets/Final_No_Casino_Gettysburg_Survey_Maps.pdf
The referendum question requires a YES answer.
It asks, in complex language,
Shall horse races run by corporations be prohibited in Freedom Township? The answer we want is YES!
The vote is Tuesday Nov. 7, 2017.
No Casino Gettysburg and the residents of Freedom Township are glad that Mr. LeVan has realized that he would have lost the upcoming referendum. If he believes he can apply for another casino license in Freedom Township or anywhere within 10 miles of the Gettysburg National Military Park, he underestimates the local, state and national opposition. Ouronline petition has reached 9,400 signatures, and will be used when or if LeVan submits another proposal.
He has never received a single vote from the Pa Gaming Control Board in 12 years of trying. Our hope is that he will give up completely on this bad idea.
Thank you for fighting for Freedom Township and for supporting No Casino Gettysburg!
No Casino Gettysburg
e-mail: ncgettysburg@centurylink.net