TIME RUNNING OUT IN EFFORT TO BRING GAMBLING TO PORT

SCOTT CITY -- Efforts to have riverboat gambling at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority have hit rough waters, with the deadline for calling an April election rapidly approaching.

Voters in Scott County rejected the local option for riverboat gambling in November after the port authority convinced the Scott County Commission to present the issue to voters. If it passed, Casino Magic, a riverboat gambling company, planned to exercise an option to lease about 25 acres at the port and make a $30 million first-year investment they said would lead to 800 jobs and a $20 million payroll.

Casino Magic's option expires at the end of April and officials of that company and the port authority have been working to get the issue on the ballot one more time.

While the issue was soundly defeated countywide, riverboat gambling did narrowly pass in Scott City. So Doug Whitehead, Missouri project coordinator for Casino Magic, suggested the port authority work with the city to have an election within Scott City.

That effort would include annexation into Scott City of a small part of the port authority. But apparently talks between the port authority and Scott City have not gone well, which could leave as the only option submitting riverboat gambling to another countywide vote.

"I asked the port and city to see if they could get together for a friendly annexation that would be beneficial for both sides, where both would reap a lot of benefits," said Whitehead. "But apparently they cannot come to an agreement."

Dan Overbey, executive director of the port authority, said he has talked with Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan and City Attorney Frances Siebert, but is not overly optimistic about being able to come together.

"The port has made a preliminary contact with city officials, but we have had no serious discussions on the matter," said Overbey.

Morty Potashnick, a port commissioner from Sikeston who serves on the port board's gaming committee, said Friday one of the big stumbling blocks to an agreement is Mayor Forhan. Potashnick said the mayor has not been cooperative and is looking out only for the interests of Scott City rather than the regional benefits of the port authority and what a gambling boat could mean for the region.

But Forhan said he has always been cooperative with the port authority and resents any insinuation that Scott City is not willing to work with the port.

The mayor said two weeks ago the city council began its own effort to bring a gambling boat to the city, and he has not received an official request from the port to consider annexation.

"At this point, officially from the port authority I have no official word they wish to do anything. Since I have no official word, Scott City has to go on its own," said Forhan. "If it fits in with the port's plan fine; if not, we will look at other options."

Currently, Scott City does not have any land along the Mississippi River in its city limits. Forhan said the closest the city comes to the river is about two miles.

If companies express an interest in locating near Scott City, the mayor said annexation could be considered to include any tracts along the river.

At its last meeting, Forhan said the Scott City Council voted to send letters to 35 gaming companies to see which are interested in trying to put a boat in Scott City.

"If we get any response, then it would have to be put on the ballot and let the people decide if they wish to have it or not," Forhan said.

Meanwhile, Whitehead said he is concerned about the gaming market in Southeast Missouri becoming saturated. Cape Girardeau and Caruthersville are both expected to have boats operating soon.

"There are a limited number of gambling dollars in Southeast Missouri and we don't want to oversaturate the area," said Whitehead. "We want a boat to be successful."

Casino Magic has been devoting its attention in Missouri recently to St. Louis, where it is one of six companies seeking the license for Laclede's Landing. In the next few days the city is expected to narrow the list down.

Next month voters in Wyatt and Wilson City in Mississippi County plan to vote on riverboat gambling, and in April voters in New Madrid will consider the local option.

Whitehead said: "We're watching those two areas. Our plans were really focused on Scott City and the port, and we hope to come to an agreement, but we need some help. Our company likes that market and thinks Southeast Missouri will do well. But it is not very often you get second chances, and in this case time is running short because other areas are trying to get a piece of the pie.

"We will have to look elsewhere if we can't find somebody who wants gambling right away."

With an election within Scott City uncertain, Whitehead said consideration is being given to seeking another countywide vote. "But no decision has been made. We will probably decide within 10 days," he said.

In the November election, Casino Magic paid the campaign costs and pretty much directed the effort. In a second election, Whitehead said it is important that there be support around the county for riverboat gambling at the port authority.

"If there's not a huge groundswell of public support, we would just be throwing money away," said Whitehead. "We're not here to bang people over the head."

Shirley Young, president of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce, a former mayor and treasurer of the committee that spearheaded the last campaign, said she is willing to be involved in another campaign. She said the Scott County Citizens for Economic Development group has not been disbanded.

"We have kept the committee open and a lot of people have called me. I feel like there is a lot of interest," said Young. "I am willing to work and have some people who are willing to work if something comes up. But at this point I don't know anything."

Young said her primary focus is economic development and riverboat gambling will provide a lot of jobs and spinoff benefits to the area.

"I think it is a good opportunity for our area," said Young. "I don't think the fact Cape has it will interfere with a boat here. It should enhance it."