Max Brantley already has a piece out on the Judge Fox’s Gulfside hearing
“Full briefs had been filed on Gulfside’s contention that its application, with approval from a county judge and Russellville mayor in office at the end of 2018, met the constitutional amendment’s requirements. Others contested that, saying that state law and a Racing Commission rule required approval from current elected officials after the formal application process opened in 2019. The current Pope County Quorum Court and county judge have backed an application by the Cherokee tribe. Additionally, at the deadline for casino applications last week, the Choctaw tribe applied for a permit without approval from any local official.”
“With parties present to make arguments in court today, Fox surprised everyone by reading from a prepared statement that said he still believed the case should be tried in Pope County. He’d sent it there once and it was promptly returned to Pulaski County by Judge Bill Pearson. Fox said the plaintiff, Gulfside Casino Partnership, could transfer the case or have it put at the bottom of his docket, to be heard when time allows. Gulfside also could seek some intermediate help from the Arkansas Supreme Court. The hearing concluded without any arguments. Fox had set aside a full day for the hearing.”
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