Rendell At It Again!
Governor Ed Rendell made the talk radio rounds yesterday afternoon and this morning. He was interviewed by Stan Savran, Junker and Crowe, and the WDVE morning team of Krenn and Bouman. In all interviews he insisted that he and local government are trying to put together a plan B and the Pittsburgh Penguins will have none of it. He is moving forward, all guns blazing, with the "Penguins Won't Let Me Help Them" campaign. He made a point of stating that he would love to discuss a plan that would utilize public funding to build an arena; "even though the polls show that the public is against it." He also went on to say that: "I am willing to stick my neck out here. Stick my neck out for something I know that the public is against." The interviewers asked him some tough questions and he tip toed out of them with this notion that he cannot help the team if they will not allow it.
I still cannot fathom how he can come forward and maintain a straight face as he says he would utilize public funding when he went out of his way to say the Pens best chance for a new arena would be to apply for the Stand Alone Slots License. I think that the governor had his bluff called. I don't think that he thought the league would allow the Penguins to pursue the license. Once that was approved, he probably had no idea that the Penguins plan would be one of, it not the best plan going. One of the main criteria for the licensure is that the winner has to do the most for the region. The Pittsburgh Penguins/Isle of Capri plan calls for about $300,000,000 of redevelopment in an area of the city that really needs it. The group that plans to build the casino in Station Square is prepared to give back something like $30,000,000 in development, but that would take place in an area that already draws tourists and locals.
Rendell stated again and again that no public money was available. Very funny how now that is a viable options. When asked if he saw the Penguins being here in 3 years, he said: "Well, that is a hard question to answer. I am not even sure who the owner will be by then." He claims that the Penguins and the people of Pittsburgh seem to think that the gaming board can be influenced by politicians or rallies and that it is a misconception. He states that the gaming board is an independent body who cannot even have conversations with politicians or organizations. This again seems like a misleading statement, considering that Rendell appointed the committee. At least the people who are in charge of it.
The bottom line is that Rendell is trying his best to paint the Penguins as the ones who are not willing to cooperate with he and other local politicos. This is all being done so that if the team ends up leaving he can wash his hands of it. The picture is being painted. At least local media seems to understand that this is all bunk. One of the interviews even commented about the stupidity of the logic. You have an organization willing to build the arena with no public cost and you want to discuss alternatives that will require taxpayers to pick up the burden. It just doesn't make sense. Let's just hope that the Gaming Control Board does the right thing.
Notes:
Please do not forget the "Save the Pens" rally Saturday afternoon outside of Gate 3 at Mellon Arena. The rally will get underway at 12:00pm prior to the game against the New York Islanders. This game will be nationally broadcast on NBC and there is a chance that they will show some footage during the game. Make sure we represent the City and the Pittsburgh Penguins well!! Here are some specifics that have been mailed out by the guys at Slotsformario.com.
Why: Rally to show public support for the Penguins/Isle of Capri slots license application.
The Penguins have partnered with the Isle of Capri to build a new multi-purpose arena for the City of Pittsburgh with no taxpayer money. They will also help revitalize the Lower Hill District and Uptown area of Downtown Pittsburgh. If you believe as we do that this is the best plan out of the three applications for Pittsburgh's only slots parlor, show up and voice your support!
When: Saturday February 4th before the Pens nationally televised game vs. The Islanders.
Entertainment by the Blue Line Band begins at 11:00AM and the rally program starts at noon.
Where: Outside Gate 3 at Mellon Arena.
What: There will be a variety of local politicians speaking out in support of the Isle of Carpi and Penguins application for the Pittsburgh slots license. A few Penguins alumni might even show up to show their support for the Penguins.
There will also be raffles of hockey and Penguins related items as well as tickets to an upcoming Penguins game.
Bring your signs and voices and let your wishes be heard!
If you care about keeping the Pens in Pittsburgh you should attend this rally whether you have tickets to the Penguins game or not. Be there to show your support for the Penguins and the Isle of Capri proposal for the slots license. Your attendance will help show the local and state politicians who have not backed the Isle of Capri proposal that the people of the Pittsburgh region want this to happen.
If you would like any more information on the rally email us at info@slotsformario.com
I still cannot fathom how he can come forward and maintain a straight face as he says he would utilize public funding when he went out of his way to say the Pens best chance for a new arena would be to apply for the Stand Alone Slots License. I think that the governor had his bluff called. I don't think that he thought the league would allow the Penguins to pursue the license. Once that was approved, he probably had no idea that the Penguins plan would be one of, it not the best plan going. One of the main criteria for the licensure is that the winner has to do the most for the region. The Pittsburgh Penguins/Isle of Capri plan calls for about $300,000,000 of redevelopment in an area of the city that really needs it. The group that plans to build the casino in Station Square is prepared to give back something like $30,000,000 in development, but that would take place in an area that already draws tourists and locals.
Rendell stated again and again that no public money was available. Very funny how now that is a viable options. When asked if he saw the Penguins being here in 3 years, he said: "Well, that is a hard question to answer. I am not even sure who the owner will be by then." He claims that the Penguins and the people of Pittsburgh seem to think that the gaming board can be influenced by politicians or rallies and that it is a misconception. He states that the gaming board is an independent body who cannot even have conversations with politicians or organizations. This again seems like a misleading statement, considering that Rendell appointed the committee. At least the people who are in charge of it.
The bottom line is that Rendell is trying his best to paint the Penguins as the ones who are not willing to cooperate with he and other local politicos. This is all being done so that if the team ends up leaving he can wash his hands of it. The picture is being painted. At least local media seems to understand that this is all bunk. One of the interviews even commented about the stupidity of the logic. You have an organization willing to build the arena with no public cost and you want to discuss alternatives that will require taxpayers to pick up the burden. It just doesn't make sense. Let's just hope that the Gaming Control Board does the right thing.
Notes:
Please do not forget the "Save the Pens" rally Saturday afternoon outside of Gate 3 at Mellon Arena. The rally will get underway at 12:00pm prior to the game against the New York Islanders. This game will be nationally broadcast on NBC and there is a chance that they will show some footage during the game. Make sure we represent the City and the Pittsburgh Penguins well!! Here are some specifics that have been mailed out by the guys at Slotsformario.com.
Why: Rally to show public support for the Penguins/Isle of Capri slots license application.
The Penguins have partnered with the Isle of Capri to build a new multi-purpose arena for the City of Pittsburgh with no taxpayer money. They will also help revitalize the Lower Hill District and Uptown area of Downtown Pittsburgh. If you believe as we do that this is the best plan out of the three applications for Pittsburgh's only slots parlor, show up and voice your support!
When: Saturday February 4th before the Pens nationally televised game vs. The Islanders.
Entertainment by the Blue Line Band begins at 11:00AM and the rally program starts at noon.
Where: Outside Gate 3 at Mellon Arena.
What: There will be a variety of local politicians speaking out in support of the Isle of Carpi and Penguins application for the Pittsburgh slots license. A few Penguins alumni might even show up to show their support for the Penguins.
There will also be raffles of hockey and Penguins related items as well as tickets to an upcoming Penguins game.
Bring your signs and voices and let your wishes be heard!
If you care about keeping the Pens in Pittsburgh you should attend this rally whether you have tickets to the Penguins game or not. Be there to show your support for the Penguins and the Isle of Capri proposal for the slots license. Your attendance will help show the local and state politicians who have not backed the Isle of Capri proposal that the people of the Pittsburgh region want this to happen.
If you would like any more information on the rally email us at info@slotsformario.com
posted by Bmetzer66 at 11:53 AM
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