Allies of Greenbrier launch campaign to win Nov. 7 referendum on casino

Thursday, Aug. 31, 2000 | 9:32 a.m.

Two weeks after anti-gambling groups launched their campaign to block the resort from establishing a casino in the Cold War-era underground bunker, friends of The Greenbrier and the hotel have marshaled their forces.

Kathleen Conforti-Caldwell, co-chairwoman of the Greenbrier County Citizens Alliance, said the Monte Carlo-type casino would spur local economic development.

"Since I've been in the White Sulphur Springs area, I've seen numerous businesses close," said Conforti-Caldwell, a resident for more than two years. "What it needs is an infusion of money."

Aly Goodwin, manager of special projects for The Greenbrier, said the hotel is sponsoring the alliance. The hotel will provide any brochures or factual information the group needs and the group can use hotel office equipment, like fax machines. The hotel will file campaign finance reports as state law requires, Goodwin said.

"We initially developed the idea of going out. That's what grass roots democracy is about, " Goodwin said. People then contacted the hotel about getting involved and the alliance was established.

"The alliance is an ally of The Greenbrier's. We are working together for a common cause for a common interest," Goodwin said.

The hotel, however, is not paying anyone to participate in the alliance. Neither Conforti-Caldwell nor another organizer work for the hotel and neither has a family member that works for the hotel.

"This is just something I'm doing from the goodness of my heart," Conforti-Caldwell said.

Greenbrier County voters will decide on Nov. 7 whether to permit the casino.

Much is at stake for The Greenbrier, which lobbied the Legislature for seven years to get the chance to place the issue on the ballot.

Officials of the 223-year-old resort, which is owned by CSX Corp., say the casino will boost competition with resorts in the Caribbean that draw tourists by advertising gambling attractions. And resort officials say the casino would generate state and local tax revenue and save hotel jobs that are eliminated in slow winter months.

The Greenbrier faces opposition from a coalition of groups working to reject the proposed casino.

The campaign will include flyers, advertising in local media and a door-to-door, get-out-the-vote effort. A petition also will be filed with the state Supreme Court before the election seeking to void the referendum.

Opponents say the 1999 legislation authorizing the casino was tailored for The Greenbrier and is unconstitutional.

The Rev. Alvie Edwards, president of West Virginia Families Against Casino Gambling, said The Greenbrier, the county's largest employer, is throwing around its weight to win support.

"You need to realize, in the Lewisburg area, The Greenbrier can do many favors for many people," he said.