Western MD delegation proposes selling Rocky Gap with slots license

January 22nd, 2010 by Kenneth Burns

This afternoon at the slots commission meeting, the Western Maryland delegation proposed ways to attract a bidder for the license at Rock Gap.  The idea that carried the most weight was that the lodge should be included in the bid.

Sen. George Edwards (R-Dist. 1) cited the $12 million in upgrades to the facility in recent years, stating that if a purchaser takes the lodge, then the burden of upgrading the facility would be taken off of the state’s hands.  In an interview following the commission meeting, he added that the combination of saving the state money and slots revenue would be a boon for Allegany County, where the lodge is located and one of the poorest counties in the state.  Del. Wendell Beitzel (R-Dist. 1A) says that land issues will have to be worked out; whether the state will do a maintenance agreement or sell a part of the land will have to be looked at.  He indicated that the delegation would want to move quickly with West Virginia and Pennsylvania not too far from the family resort.

The commission will look at the ideas from the delegation and see which ones will require legislation.

Also at the meeting, it was announced that Robert Neall had submitted his letter of resignation from the commission to Senate President Thomas Mike Miller (D-Dist. 27).  According to WJZ-TV (Channel 13), Neall says that he wanted to avoid any potential conflict of interest with his wife; a lawyer who works for a large law firm.

 

 The Assembly 2010 -Radio report for WNAV (1430AM) and WTTR (1470AM) [1:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (42)