Greenbrier County commission not in hurry to act; opponents get organized

Jennifer Bundy

Wednesday, March 29, 2000 | 10:21 a.m.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - While gambling opponents are getting organized for a fight, Greenbrier County commissioners say they will put off until summer a decision on a referendum on The Greenbrier's casino.

An anti-gambling group is considering a court challenge to the 1999 law that authorizes the casino in the White Sulphur Springs resort. The law says Greenbrier County voters must first approve. The county commission has sole power to decide when, and if, to put the measure on the county ballot.

About 100 people gathered last Thursday in Lewisburg to pick officers and adopt bylaws and a constitution for "West Virginia Families Against Casino Gambling."

"I think gambling is wrong," said Alan Schoolcraft-Williams, a former chairman of the group. "It deprives people of needed resources."

He cited national studies showing gambling is counter-productive in economic development.

"You're talking about using a social evil to raise revenue," Schoolcraft-Williams said.

The Rev. Alvie Edwards, pastor of Old Greenbrier Baptist Church in Alderson, is the group's chairman. Dr. Scott Buell, pastor of Ronceverte Church of the Nazarene, is secretary, and former Rep. Cleve Benedict, a Lewisburg dairy farmer, is treasurer.

Greenbrier President Ted Kleisner said he respects religious opposition to gambling and will not debate the point.

As for the group's economic opposition, it does not understand the economy of The Greenbrier, or the casino's economic effect on the county. The casino would bring $34 million a year into the county, Kleisner said.

"We'll have no impact on the moral fiber or the quality of life in our county," Kliesner said.

County Commission President Woody Hanna said Tuesday the commission will wait until June or July to decide whether to allow a vote on the casino.

Commissioners said in January they would not put the casino issue to a vote unless the Legislature gave the county a bigger share of casino profits.

The Legislature adjourned for the year without discussing the issue.

Commissioner Steve Malcomb said Tuesday that commissioners met with House Speaker Bob Kiss, D-Raleigh, during the legislative session "and essentially got kissed off."

Kiss told them that if the law were changed it probably would not pass again, especially not in an election year, Malcomb said.

Malcomb said he still opposes putting the issue on the ballot until the county is assured of getting more money.

Still, if The Greenbrier asks him to bring the issue up during a commission meeting, he would. The commission has not discussed it since January.

Kleisner said he would arrange a meeting with county commissioners.

Malcomb said, "It's a big issue. I've got avid supporters who are dead for it. I have avid supporters who are dead against it. I just want people to know the county in essence is getting nothing out of it."

It is too late to put the issue on the ballot for the May primary. Hanna said November would be the earliest possible date for a vote.

Hanna would not say whether he would vote to allow a referendum.

Commissioner Joe Feamster could not immediately be reached for comment.

The law would require The Greenbrier to pay 37 percent of adjusted gross receipts from table games into a state gaming fund.

The hotel could keep 63 percent, which is how much it would take to operate the casino, leaving no profit. Hotel officials have said they want the casino to lure more guests and expect to make a profit off the rooms.

Of the money in the state gaming fund, 89 percent would go to the state, 3 percent to tourism, 4 percent to Greenbrier County and 2 percent to White Sulphur Springs, Another 2 percent would be divided among at least seven other towns: Alderson, Renick, Ronceverte, Rupert, Rainelle, Quinwood and Lewisburg.

All those payments would be from the state fund's net income.

Commissioners want Greenbrier County to get 4 percent of the adjusted gross, or $1 million a year, whichever is greater. They also do not want White Sulphur Springs to get more than other towns in the county.

The Greenbrier itself has no position on the split of tax money, Kleisner said.