I have an analogy for the statewide decision that would best be depicted in a cartoon, but alas, I have only words here. Picture the 4 cities as kids at a table – Cincinnati gets a cupcake, Cleveland gets a slice of pizza. Toledo gets a Chili Dog and Columbus gets a Sh*t sandwhich. So, just because the other 3 like what they have been offered, we have to eat this crappy choice?

Anyway, I’m not saying that this was something premeditated by Penn & Plaza. I’m saying that when Penn came to the table and offered to buy the land from Plaza, I’m sure that they were fully aware of the fact that Plaza had already been awarded those cleanup grants for developing the land for other purposes. My “shame on them” was directed toward both of them for moving forward with their deal anyway.

If someone can provide even a sampling of evidence that Plaza was planning to sell to Penn when they applied for the grant AND that Penn knew it…great.  Otherwise there’s not even much smoke, let alone fire.

As for point #2, it sounds like both Penn & Plaza should get a bit of finger wagging about this. It takes two parties to make a deal, and I’m willing to bet that both parties were aware of the bait-and-switch that they were pulling. “Shame on both of them” as far as I’m concerned.

2. I’m not sure I get how this is a bad faith maneuver by Penn National.  They didn’t make a pledge to develop condos there, get a grant to clean up the pollution there, etc.  Once again, trying to portray Penn as the bad guy comes off a bit dubious.  You want to take issue with Plaza Properties, do it…their behavior seems downright fraudulent.

Penn National obtained an option to buy the Jaeger site from Plaza Properties, which only last year obtained a $750,000 state grant to demolish the factory and clean up the property, on a promise to build condominiums and retail outlets on the site. The Ohio Department of Development, on a recommendation from the city, awarded the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to allow Plaza Properties to clean up pollution from more than 70 years of manufacturing.

Plaza Properties pledged to develop 243 condominiums, 15,000 square feet of retail space and a small park. After Penn National announced its plan to build a casino there instead, state and city officials said they could do nothing about the bait-and-switch.

READ MORE

Casinos’ attempt to skirt local zoning restrictions troubling

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2009/11/29/celeste29.ART_ART_11-29-09_G5_A2FQOGV.html?sid=101

I don’t have to continue to explain myself to you pal.

Our goal is to stop the casino from being built. Allegations of political corruption are not the smoking gun to make that happen.

I didn’t follow the issue from the get-go because I knew it was controversial and I knew I’d be moving. I didn’t vote on it because I knew I wouldn’t benefit/suffer from whatever the result.

I read The Other Paper article about your concerns and became intrigued. I read the posts and threads here that I’d previously ignored. I was not interested initially, I am now.

From reading the back and forth here, many people were opposed from the beginning for a variety of reasons. Post-election, much of that opposition has turned into crying, name-calling, and NIMBY bitching with little of a cogent argument to be found. Some posters, Andrew Hall in particular, have made excellent, rational arguments in opposition. You however, have become the “figurehead” of this thing whether you like it or not so I’ve directed my comments at you.

Many of your arguments have included hints or allegations of corruption outside of the usual grey area in politics. I’ve asked you repeatedly to state exactly what you know and what these things are. You have deferred, refused, and essentially been unable to do so. Now you’re resorting to personal attacks (not particularly mean ones fwiw, no biggie) but still haven’t shed any light on exactly what you’re getting at.

All I can conclude is that you missed your political window, are pissed and/or regretful, and now are bitching and moaning and trying to subvert the political will of the majority of Ohioans because your desired outcome lost.