Subdeacon Joe Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Civil War Trust For Immediate Release: 04/14/11 Proposed Gettysburg Casino Location Rejected by Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Civil War Trust praises board for its enduring commitment to protecting this hallowed ground (Harrisburg, Pa.) – Following today’s decision by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to reject a second proposal to bring casino gambling to the doorstep of Gettysburg National Military Park, Civil War Trust president Jim Lighthizer issued the following statement: “Both personally, and on behalf of our members, I would like to thank the members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for their thoughtful deliberation and insightful decision. By stating that the hallowed ground of America’s most blood-soaked battlefield is no place for this type of adults-only enterprise, they have reiterated the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s commitment to its priceless history and upheld its obligation to protect such sites from wanton and unnecessary degradation. “This is a great day, not just for Gettysburg, but for all historic sites. However, we must remember that this proposal was just a symptom of a larger problem — the numerous irreplaceable sites similarly besieged by ill-considered development. I am confident that those seeking to protect priceless treasures of our past will be empowered by this victory for historic preservation, and I hope that its spirit will be carried forth in other communities facing similar questions of encroachment. “Sadly, this was not the first time that the Gaming Board was forced to weigh the possibility of gaming with a Gettysburg address. Now that two such proposals have been denied — clearly demonstrating the resonant power this iconic site and the widespread desire to protect it — I sincerely hope that those would seek personal profit and financial gain will think twice about trading on the blood of 50,000 American casualties. “Now, as ever, the Civil War Trust and its allies stand ready to work on behalf of Gettysburg and the other deathless fields that shaped the legacy of our nation, particularly as we begin the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War. We are exceptionally pleased to have the support and cooperation of visionary government bodies, like the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, that understand the singular significance of such sites to aid our efforts.” Since it was announced last year, the proposal to open Mason-Dixon Gaming Resort a scant half-mile from Gettysburg National Military Park has drawn immense opposition — an early April survey by a nationally renowned polling and research firm found that only 17 percent of Pennsylvanians supported the idea, with 66 percent actively opposed and 57 percent indicating that such a facility would be “an embarrassment” to the Commonwealth. Tens of thousands of petitions were submitted against the project and nearly 300 prominent historians united to urge its rejection, as did the national leadership of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the American Legion. Other prominent Americans who lent their name to the campaign to protect Gettysburg include Susan Eisenhower, Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, Medal of Honor recipient Paul W. Bucha, renowned composer John Williams and entertainers Matthew Broderick, Stephen Lang and Sam Waterston. In 2005, citing public outcry, the Gaming Board likewise rejected a plan to construct a casino one mile from the edge of the national park. The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. To date, the Trust has preserved more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states— including 800 at Gettysburg. Learn more at www.civilwar.org. ### -----*----- Our Sponsors History.com Google Copyright © 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apache Hawk 60642 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 50,000 Americans can not be wrong !!! North or South.....Yankee or Reb........this is hallowed ground indeed !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Gettysburg has been under attack from various businesses for years. So far most of the skirmishes have been won. Many other battlefields around the country have not been so successful. The Civil War Trust is a good organization. Without them there would be a lot more fast food restaurants on sacred soil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Gauntlet , SASS 60619 Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 Besides, one big gamble lost there is enough. Isn't it amazing how hard it can be just to have people leave alone the things that should be left alone? The "Mason-Dixon Gaming Resort" indeed..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry T Harrison Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Gettysburg has been under attack from various businesses for years. So far most of the skirmishes have been won. Many other battlefields around the country have not been so successful. The Civil War Trust is a good organization. Without them there would be a lot more fast food restaurants on sacred soil. Sorry Bob, I was a long time member of the CWPT but I lost all faith in them when I called their office in DC to complain about the new Gettysburg visitors center rip off. The man I spoke with had no idea what I was talking about because he had NEVER been to Gettysburg. It’s not like it’s a real long trip from DC just over an hour, one would think that would be part of his job description. I make at least 4 trips to Gettysburg a year and I’m not liking what I’m seeing there. And not that I want a casino there it was going to be a long way from any sacred soil. I have visited all of the major battlefields in the eastern campaign and a large number of the minor ones, it is a tragic situation when a lot of the battlefields are unrecognizable. I don’t see it getting and better under the current administration and their budget cuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Sorry Bob,I was a long time member of the CWPT but I lost all faith in them when I called their office in DC to complain about the new Gettysburg visitors center rip off. The man I spoke with had no idea what I was talking about because he had NEVER been to Gettysburg. It’s not like it’s a real long trip from DC just over an hour, one would think that would be part of his job description. I make at least 4 trips to Gettysburg a year and I’m not liking what I’m seeing there. And not that I want a casino there it was going to be a long way from any sacred soil. I have visited all of the major battlefields in the eastern campaign and a large number of the minor ones, it is a tragic situation when a lot of the battlefields are unrecognizable. I don’t see it getting and better under the current administration and their budget cuts Well, I guess we have different opinions about the organization. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry T Harrison Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 Well, I guess we have different opinions about the organization. They do some good work and I contributed to them for years, but to be told that a public relations offical from their home office had never been to one of the most important battlefields of the war was just wrong. It's an hour up the road for god sakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted July 15, 2011 Share Posted July 15, 2011 They do some good work and I contributed to them for years, but to be told that a public relations offical from their home office had never been to one of the most important battlefields of the war was just wrong. It's an hour up the road for god sakes. There are dumbasses in every organization I reckon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.