HUCKSTEP QUESTIONS GAMBLING AT PORT

JACKSON - Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep says he has serious reservations about a riverboat gambling operation run from the harbor of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

Huckstep questioned whether the traffic created by a gambling boat would blend in with the industrial focus of the port authority. He said he believes any fees and tax revenues generated by a boat should go to the port authority and not Scott County government.

Huckstep has contacted the five members of the port authority's board of commissioners from Cape Girardeau County to express his concerns. The port is a joint operation of the Cape and Scott County Commissions and is situated in both counties.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Promus, a Memphis-based company that operates Harrah's Casino Hotels in Las Vegas, had been negotiating with the port authority for a five-year lease. But the boat would be situated in Scott County. Under state law, the share of direct gaming taxes collected from the boat would go to the county where the boat is docked.

"I have basically told our members how I felt about this," said Huckstep. "I think it's certainly far-fetched, but if it did happen I don't think any fees generated should go to either county. Neither county, including Cape County, should get these fees."

Huckstep said the port authority always needs funds to help with development. "This might be the method to give them the development money they need," said Huckstep. "If jobs are created, everybody benefits, regardless of where it is located."

Huckstep and Associate Commissioners E.C. Younghouse and Larry Bock all expressed some concern about the proposal last week, but said they had very few details about the proposal.

"We have gotten no details yet and really don't know much about it," said Bock.

Said Huckstep, "I think an accurate description would be that we are cool to the idea."

Mysie Keene of Jackson, chairman of the port board of commissioners, said Monday she recognizes the issue is sensitive, but declined to get into details because they are talking with a prospective tenant and nothing has been signed.

"We on the board are cognizant of both county commissions and what would be good for them," she said. "We feel like what would be good for the counties is further development of the port," said Keene.

"The two counties have always been able to work things out in the past. With their assistance, we should be able to manage to work things out to everyone's satisfaction."

Huckstep said the only way he would be satisfied is if a side agreement were developed so that all the fees would go solely to the port authority. But the presiding commissioner said: "I think it's a poor place to put a boat. I wish the whole idea had never popped up."

Huckstep also said he was concerned about whether a gambling boat would conflict with the goal of the port authority.

"I don't know if it would scare off industry, but it is a concern," said Huckstep. "Several people have asked me how gambling matches up with industry, and I really don't know what to tell them."