Gaming Commission delays vote of proposal that may threaten Keesler

Sunday, May 14, 2000 | 10:28 a.m.

The commission was scheduled to vote Thursday on the proposal they made in March to extend the casino zone further westward along the north shore of Biloxi's Back Bay to the D'Iberville city limits.

The property lies directly at the end of Keesler's runway.

Keesler Air Force Base, Secretary of State Eric Clark and the state Department of Marine Resources oppose the plan.

"To endanger Keesler field is unconscionable," Clark said. "The Secretary of State's Office will never issue a tidelands lease that endangers Keesler field, as long as I'm secretary of state."

The commission was to vote last month on the proposal.

Gaming Commission Executive Director Chuck Patton said the vote was delayed because of residents' concerns that the expansion could threaten Keesler. He did not say why Thursday's vote was delayed.

In a letter to the Gaming Commission, Keesler Brig. Gen. Elizabeth Ann Harrell said development in the proposed area, "can have the potential to impact negatively on our flying mission."

Heavy development in Keesler's flight path could affect its ability to survive another round of base closings, Harrell wrote.