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The latest development in the high profile disagreement over gambling with electronic bingo machines in the state between Governor Bob Riley and his attorney general Troy King?
Country Crossing developers are telling the Dothan Eagle that Gov. Riley’s administration has tried to stop the shipment of 1,703 electronic bingo machines from Nevada to the Country Crossing development south of Dothan.
Country Crossing developers and county officials learned late Tuesday that the Nevada Gaming Commission was contacted by a member of Gov. Bob Riley’s staff and told it would be illegal to ship the machines because the governor believes they are illegal.
[...]
Local officials quickly responded, sending copies of case law and local legislation to the Nevada Gaming Commission, as well as a videotape of Attorney General Troy King, where he speaks about the law in relation to Houston County. King’s office issued an AG Opinion more than a year ago which favored the development.
The Nevada Gaming Commission then had a vote, [Country Crossing spokesman Jay] Walker said, and decided they were on firm legal ground to allow the machines to be shipped.
“The manufacturers and the Commission itself read the law the same way we do,” Walker said.
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i hope they have more to go on than the opinions of troy king. i mean jeez……..
“a member of Gov. Bob Riley’s staff and told it would be illegal to ship the machines because the governor believes they are illegal.”
and i hope you have more to go on than the governors opinion….in the words of toddie stacy “what a crock”…
Interesting that they are coming from Vegas = slot machines.
The Houston County bingo amendment has about the same language as the Walker County amendment and was passed only a couple of years later. How does Houston County avoid the fate of electronic bingo in Walker County?
they don’t, rachel. so they huff and puff and try to blow ur house down.
For the chest beating of the Country Crossing folks, they sure do seem nervous, don’t they?
Who is this Ronnie Gilley guy? He really must think he’s a big fish in Alabama to always be bad mouthing a sitting Governor and state legislators so publicly. I assume he wants to be another Milton MacGregor, don’t they both come from the same area? But their areas wouldn’t let them build where they are from? Maybe their local home folks know something we don’t if they don’t allow it in their own counties.
Very interesting.
“a member of Gov. Bob Riley’s staff and told it would be illegal to ship the machines because the governor believes they are illegal.”
anyone care to comment on the governor’s belief’s all of the sudden becoming law in this state??
“nervous”, no…. but everyone in the state should be if a governors belief is touted as law…
If Ronnie Gilley’s entertainment fest does so well and draws so many people, why can’t that model work at Country Crossings without bingo?
Seriously, why does Country Crossings HAVE to have bingo? Is it a financing issue?
Seems the concerts, festivals, carnivals, whatever the hell Gilley keeps putting on have been successful, so not sure why bingo is so vital.
it is all about the mighty dollar and gilley wanting to get rich. and sure – that is his right – he is the one taking risk after all. But he wants to be the next mcgregor – it’s true. he says country crossing can only be a reality if it has gambling. some say they blame it on the economy – but that’s 100% false – this was planned as a gambling destination way before the economy hit the skids. I personally don’t care if we have it or not. What I do not like is the constant chest thumping and machismo attitude of Gilley and some of his folks. It’s bad form. And yes – I have been the first to say that relying on the likes of Troy King, Harri Smith and the Chair of the Houston County Commission (Culver) is ridiculous and they are in the back pocket of Gilley – and I stand by that. But for Gilley and his cohorts to slam Jimmy Holley – Bob Riley – and anyone else they fear may be in their way (Luther Strange and/or Tim James, etc) is ridiculous. They slammed Harri Smith too until she caved in. That is just it – they either demonize or herald elected officials on one simple issue – gambling in Houston County. Bad form.
And if they are so confident it is legal and there is not a problem then why pitch a fit every few minutes and run to the press to demonize those against it? Why push for a public vote if one is not needed and the amendment in Houston County is rock solid? And when it comes to voting…..Sweet Home Alabama was and is a farce – it was written to protect folks like McGregor and Gilley.
I guess we will know soon enough what the AL Supreme Court decides. And if we need to have a public up or down vote on gambling in Alabama then let’s do it – but not set it up so it protects only a few.
As for now….just more huff and puff from Gilley and CC………
we just had a little press conference on the CC property…i think when you view it you will get the message….
CC – you are so skewed over this issue. the name CC “DOLLAR” says it all. The almighty dollar reigns!
WTF, 2010? I thought you were a conservative in favor of free-market capitalism.
Shut up.
Anyone attend and willing to post a summary?
I didn’t attend but I bet I can give you a pretty accurate summary of what happened:
Bob Riley bad
Jimmie Holley bad
Troy King good
Harri Ann good
Let the people vote!
Cue country music
Houston County, home of washed up country singers Casinos.
……and, bbque (furnished by Gilley) was enjoyed by Timmie and all. I guess they stopped at the carnival on the way back.
Free markets usually do better without monopolies. That’s why Gilley and Milton are concerned and pushing legislation to both legalize and RESTRICT gambling. If we’re going to legalize gambling, why don’t we make it a state function like the ABC stores? That way, we’re sure to get the revenue, not just the crumbs from Gilley/Milton’s tables.
Sweet Home Alabama bill, as written, was intended for one purpose, to create a) a monopoly for uncle milty and good ole ronnie and b) to let milton create a gambling commission that he can control.
Sad thing is that Milton will sell Alabama’s saviour Ronnie Gilley out in a new york minute, yet the master of the baseball cap and jorts, Gilley, thinks they are buddies…ha, ha, ha. Gilley is about to get played by his “friend.”
you are correct about milton, reality. and about the sweet home legislation being written and pushed by a select few.
Let’s see: Troy King’s opinions have been eviscerated by federal and state judges in the past year. The Governor and his task force have had several victories on the issue in the past year, despite Troy King’s statements that electronic bingo is okay. I would think the Governor’s opinion on the current state of the law is a bit more in tune with the judiciary’s than Troy King’s opinion.
I have followed Country Crossing since the very beginning. Sounds like most of you have no idea about Ronnie Gilley or how this all came about.
In the earliest planning stages Country Crossing was to be built on the 675 acres in Coffee County where the BamaJam Festival is currently held. Coffee County was going to be the center of it all. THERE IS NO BINGO AMENDMENT THERE. Since Enterprise and Coffee County was going to be the home of Country Crossing, this is why George Jones home is built there. Darryl Worley has a business the, Kix Brooks has a development there and so on. The investors were in place and things ready to move. Then the economy tanks. Most all the investors pulls out and fo all intense purposes Country Crossing is dead. $200 million dollars is needed to make the project work.
Then Ronnie Gilley was approached by a politician who I have never bee told who it was but up in Montgomery, and proposed a plan to locate it in Houston County (where there is a bingo amendment) and on Hwy 231 where about 6 million tourist travel annually going from northern states to the beaches.
Since most businesses fail within the first 5 years because they are under capitalized, bingo was seen as the catalyst to carry them through the first 5 years where they expect to operate in the red.
So you may think you know Ronnie Gilley and the entire story, but most don’t. 2-3 years ago he had no intentions of bingo being involved in this project. But the choice came down to simply, left hand dead project and forget about it, right hand make it a reality and a success.
When completed over 6,000 Alabama jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars state and local tax revenue, or nothing. He also guaranteed a minimum 2 million to local charities and most likely in his words, 5 million.
So with us losing all the jobs think maybe Country Crossing jobs could help this area. Oh also, the General electric motor plant announced today it is closing losing another couple hundred jobs in Dothan.
No, most of you do not know Ronnie Gilley and he is not the monster most of you make him out to be.
And one last comment. Friends of Alabama and the Sweet Home Alabama coalition.
Since the governor and the state legislature won’t take the bull by the horns and set requirements and regulate the industry, this was their attempt. IT IS NOT AN ATTEMPT FOR A MONOPOLY. It’s intent was to stop the small operation metal building operations popping up everywhere like Walker County. How can it be a monopoly if any county in the state can pass a amendment and begin bingo operations. But what it was seen as was there had to be a $50 million minimum investment to open an operation and make it a tourist destination to promote tourism in Alabama. If I was going to do it I’d choose a themed venue like NASCAR of Alabama, Americas Bass Fishing capitol, Deer Hunting Capitol of America or any other number of themed venues that would draw people from around the United States to come into Alabama and spend a few days and dollars along with it.
If you want to blame anyone for not taking the lead on this, blame the state legislature.
And I’ll repeat what has been said many times. If Gov Riley is successful, the only monopoly there will be is the Porch Creek Indians. And they can’t be touched because they operate by federal law. And once again the common citizen of Alabama will be screwed with nothing.
Waltm, it was organized and conducted by the local County, City, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and Development officials. Neither Ronnie Gilley or his staff were there or participants.
He is the video of the press conference.
http://www.rickeystokesnews.com/article.php/video-culver-holds-press-conference-at-country-crossing-6208
Let’s hope the head of the Alabama GOP does not do what it did last year. Threaten to censure any state Senator or Representative if they supported any legislation to let the people vote on this issue. Do the people of Alabama have a right to vote if they want electronic bingo in Alabama? I think they do and it will put this issue to rest once and for all.
thanks for your comments, david a. but to say that electronic bingo was only introduced once the economy tanked is totally false. the location in houston county and the gambling aspect of CCrossing was in place way before the economy hit the skids. do not re write history.
and i do not think gilley is a monster and yes, he deserves to make a profit as he is the one taking a risk. But, he is all about chest thumping and bullying those that disagree…..the history on that is clear. and he loves the press as much as anyone i have seen lately.
And we totally disagree on the monopoly aspect of the specific sweet home alabama legislation. It would in fact favor folks like mcgregor and gilley. Do you really think milton mcrgregor is going to back legislation that does not totally benefit him financially?
And standing behind Troy King repeatedly – saying that his advisory opinions back you up – well…..I think we all know what Troy King’s opinions are worth these days.
We can huff and puff all we want – and I personally am not opposed to Country Crossing and the gambling aspect of it – the AL supreme court will likely decide – and maybe we will have a fair, statewide vote one day. what I am opposed to is the bullying and the “bob riley is the anti christ” “and jimmy holley is Riley’s evil little helper….off with their heads” (or anyone else in their way) mentality that many of the supporters of the project have. While at the same time heralding folks like harri smith, mark culver and troy king….three folks that likely cannot get re elected for a variety of reasons. It is gross the way it has all gone down.
totally correct, 2010.
DaivdA, thanks for the steer to the video, however, for security reasons, I don’t let my browser play window media files.
BTW, thought the GOP sanction was for party members. Is an organization allowed to set rules for its members?
Look forward to hearing from you again as this matter unfolds into the elections and beyond.
The plans for Country Crossing started well over 4 years ago. The announcement of the bingo aspect was less than two years ago. I’m not rewriting history.
I have respected the beliefs of anyone that is morally or religiously convicted against electronic bingo.
My problem with Bob Riley is that he received gambling money in 2002 to help finance his campaign to become Governor. He can say all he wants he didn’t know where it came from but common sense tells him he had to have.
My belief is his efforts to stop electronic bingo is directly linked to promises he made for cash.
Yes Walt, you are right. The threat of a censure was directed by the GOP towards GOP members. Sorry if my comment is misleading.
all this ying yang over Bob Riley and Indian Casino money was invetsigated and looked in to time and time and time again by Democrats. Nothing was found. Come up with something legit and new, David A.
And once again, Country Crossing was planned as a gambling destination before the economy went south. Period.
Well if you are correct wiregrasschick, explain why preparations were made in Coffee County for Country Crossing when there are no charitable Bingo amendments in that county. Why would the 675 acres of been purchased for it. Negotiations to buy the Rawls warehouse to remodel into a dinner theater. A building on main street bought for a recording studio. And many other great plans for this Country Extravaganza in Enterprise and Coffee County. All in a County with no possibility of bingo. If you have the info to sway my opinion, please do. I’m all ears. I was there when all the downtown business owners were all pumped up for Country Crossing in Enterprise. Then the reality hit.
2010…actually i am a coin collector and had the screen name CC Dollar way before country crossing was even thought about…just so you know…
oh and isn’t this great!! i see we now have some chick posting about something she dosen’t know anything about…
There have been so many half truths and outright lies told by Gilley and his clowns in Houston county I read some of that stokes stuff posted earlier in this thread. Is he for real? The guy can’t spell, can’t put an intelligent thought together and spouts off and rambles with his thoughts. What a complete hick. If he is an example of who is trying to help promote the bingo issue you better get a better spokesman. What a rambling incoherent freak!
he thinks you are an rambling idiot also….lol
Well WC. I am still trying to figure out why Then Rep. Bob Riley signed a letter sent out to thousands of Alabamians from a fake organization called the U.S. Family Network. A letter calling for an end to gambling by the Creek Indians in Atmore. A fake organization set up by who else? Ambramoff and Scanlon. Lobbyist for the Mississippi Chocktaws. You want to explain that one for me?
dave…they won’t answer the hard ones…
What did the guy say when Riley’s office said he was a liar? Have the media set up an independent polygraph and he’ll take it. LOL
Maybe the Governors office should have his campaign finance manager participate and take the lie detector test and put it to rest once and for all. What do you think the chances of that happening are?