The Gulfside Casino Partnership case
(and some “when” and “what” at the Racing Commission)
From yesterday’s Courier article: “Cross issues letters of support for casino, Dover possible location”
The ARC has not received any applications from casino operators, although Cherokee Nation Business released a statement Wednesday saying that the company would submit its application this Friday.
“Even if there is an applicant that received a letter of the city [of Russellville] — if it was going to be located in the city limits — either the quorum court or the county judge would still be required to put out a letter of support for the application to be considered complete. And the county has made it clear that there will be no more letters for additional companies,” (Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration communications director Scott) Hardin said.
The ARC’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21. Hardin said the commission will likely continue to wait on a decision for the Pope County license until the pending litigation decision between Gulfside Casino Partnership and the ARC and the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration arrives.
That decision will be made on Monday, Nov. 25, in Pulaski County Circuit Court.
Gulfside filed a lawsuit after the ARC denied its application for having improper letters of support on Thursday, Aug. 15. The lawsuit is based on Gulfside claiming that the denial is unconstitutional and the company had the required letters of support as defined originally by Amendment 100.
Former Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson and former Mayor of Russellville Randy Horton each wrote a letter of support for Gulfside before leaving office last year. However an amendment to Amendment 100 passed shortly after it was passed into law stating letters of support must come from current administration, thereby blocking Gulfside.
“We don’t anticipate there will be much, if any, discussion regarding the Pope County license,” said Hardin. “The commission is still awaiting the Gulfside decision, which should be announced Nov. 25. We anticipate that the December meeting will be the point at which the commission really discusses and potentially makes a determination on Pope County.”
Cross said he expected no movement from the racing commission until all litigation has been exhausted, including those in Pulaski County and on the appellate level.
According to Hardin, the meeting to watch for consideration of a Pope County license will be Thursday, Dec. 19.
If the racing commission makes a final decision that CNB should be the operator that comes to Pope County, CNB will decide where to locate.