Town pleased with new competition

John Christoffersen

Friday, Oct. 26, 2001 | 9:28 a.m.

GREENWICH, Conn. -- For the past few years it's been Powerball vs. posh in this town of tranquility and privilege in the shadow of New York City.

On Thursday the town won out when New York state lawmakers authorized sales of the prized ticket in their state. The vote came on the heels of a summer in which Greenwich lost control of its treasured beaches and streets.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in late July that Greenwich's residents-only beach policy was unconstitutional. Then thousands of New Yorkers and other out-of-state residents flocked to Greenwich, the first town over the New York border, for a shot at a Powerball jackpot as it grew to about $300 million.

"Within a 24-hour space, I think the people of Greenwich felt the whole world was coming down on them," said Glen Canner, an attorney who lives and works in town.

Canner then outlined the ultimate nightmare scenario:

"Conceivably all the Powerball people could have decided to go to the beach."

But the court's decision included a 20-day stay, so the beaches were temporarily safe.

The beaches are now open to out of towners for a fee, but Greenwich finally won relief from Powerball crowds that have plagued the town for years.

The New York State Assembly gave final legislative approval to a bill Thursday to allow New Yorkers to buy tickets to the big-money, multistate Powerball lottery.

Connecticut generates substantial money from Powerball, especially when there are large jackpots that bring in out of state players. Powerball revenue in Connecticut for fiscal year 2000 was $56.5 million, down from $124.5 million the prior year when there were large jackpots, said state revenue officials.

But several Greenwich residents on Thursday said they won't miss the crowds.

"I'd be very happy not to have all the people come to Greenwich," said Jill Lessman, eating a BLT sandwich in a downtown diner. "Traffic was horrendous, parking was horrendous. The litter in the streets really bothered me."

More specifically, Lessman said Powerball players who waited hours in line left dirty baby diapers on the streets.

The town managed to win its first 24-hour suspension of sales last summer, citing accidents, traffic violations and police overtime. Greenwich recently requested $75,000 to reimburse the town for costs associated with a surge in Powerball sales.

While Greenwich has faced criticism as elitist, residents say they are not trying to keep people out. They just want visitors to respect a town they love.

Not everyone is opposed to Powerball fever. Merchants who sell the tickets say they stand to lose a lot of business.

A.J. Sheth, who owns Greenwich Cigar and Stationery near the train station, said most of his Powerball sales came from out-of-state players. Powerball players also bought lots of other merchandise and patronized nearby businesses in town, he said.

"We'll be losing quite a bit of business," Sheth said, noting that he gets a 5 percent commission on each sale of a $1 Powerball ticket.

At another stationery store in the Cos Cob section, Powerball brought in between $4,000 to $5,000 daily during a peak period over the summer, said Hardik Parikh, an employee.

Some businesses, however, said they lost sales from regular customers who avoided areas inundated by Powerball fever.

"Some businesses literally have to shut down because people can't get into the store," said Mary Ann Morrison, president and chief executive officer of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce.

Not everyone opposed the Powerball mania.

Patrick McGarrity noted that his parents were poor immigrants from Ireland who found opportunity in Greenwich. Many poor immigrants came to Greenwich to play Powerball, in search of a dream like his parents, McGarrity said.

"In seemed to me in viewing the lines, there are a lot of people who, like immigrants, are looking to better themselves," McGarrity said. "I'm kind of on the point of not wanting my town to be further disturbed but wanting everyone to have equal opportunity."