G'burg gaming back on table

[Dani Costa]

People did try to do something about the casino in Valley Forge, but if you remember in what manner the whole gambling issue was brought to PA, behind closed doors in the dead of night and at the same time the whole pay raise issue was going on....a lot of our legislators are real skunks....the PA Gaming Control Board, a lot of them turned out to be criminals in some form or another....have folks been watching the news paying attention to how much criminal activity and sneaky, manipulative crap was going on and still goes on now just to bring gambling to this state and keep it here?

Jerry, I heard and read things when this all first began where they said about eliminating property taxes and I'm not going to waste my time searching and searching just to prove it. I know what I heard, know what I read and I'm just restating it. It doesn't really matter now anyway, gambling is here and Rendell is doing what he wants with that money. No one got any real reduction or help with their property taxes that made any really big difference. It's a mute point.

And I'd like to know what all you Gettysburg lifers have been doing struggling all this time with your property taxes and whatever issues you have with the Park and the college? You've lived there all this time, shelling out all this money and now that someone presents a casino, you all think this is the answer to your prayers? Look at the way this was conceived and has been handled, you're willing to put your trust into a bunch of crooks and liars? Unbelievable! Gettysburg is a national treasure and a lot of us dump a lot of our hard-earned dollars into your town and your economy every year! Thanks for the appreciation.

[Facts]

Dani Costa wrote:

People did try to do something about the casino in Valley Forge, but if you remember in what manner the whole gambling issue was brought to PA, behind closed doors in the dead of night and at the same time the whole pay raise issue was going on....a lot of our legislators are real skunks....the PA Gaming Control Board, a lot of them turned out to be criminals in some form or another....have folks been watching the news paying attention to how much criminal activity and sneaky, manipulative crap was going on and still goes on now just to bring gambling to this state and keep it here?
Jerry, I heard and read things when this all first began where they said about eliminating property taxes and I'm not going to waste my time searching and searching just to prove it. I know what I heard, know what I read and I'm just restating it. It doesn't really matter now anyway, gambling is here and Rendell is doing what he wants with that money. No one got any real reduction or help with their property taxes that made any really big difference. It's a mute point.
And I'd like to know what all you Gettysburg lifers have been doing struggling all this time with your property taxes and whatever issues you have with the Park and the college? You've lived there all this time, shelling out all this money and now that someone presents a casino, you all think this is the answer to your prayers? Look at the way this was conceived and has been handled, you're willing to put your trust into a bunch of crooks and liars? Unbelievable! Gettysburg is a national treasure and a lot of us dump a lot of our hard-earned dollars into your town and your economy every year! Thanks for the appreciation.

The phrase is "moot" point. Sorry, pet peeve. That led me to read your post more closely, and you could not be more wrong on the eliminating property taxes thing. The bill was meant for tax reduction, not tax removal. The reductions have been modest, about $200, I believe, but not all the places are open and the entire enterprise is young. I think it's far too soon to make a true analysis.

"A lot" of the PGCB turned out to be criminals? I'm curious to know who they were. DeNaples and Barden have had some issues with criminal background, but they are applying for a license, not on the board. Hopefully you can provide factual information about these "criminals" along with some substantive evidence that the bill was designed to eliminate property taxes.

[ROCK]

Well if the newspapers would have written the headlines correctly there wouldn't have been no mention of Gettysburg in it. It might have said something like Cumberland Township get proposal for Casino. Just like the renovated hotel on Baltimore Pike no BS with that cause it is in Cumberland Township and outside folk didn't know where that was but put the Gettysburg tag on it and its like the world is coming to an end.

The College donates a large sum of money to Gettysburg.

"Gettysburg Lifers" are finally fed up with all that is going here where we live. The Park and the socalled Foundation is always on the hunt for Farms, Houses and anything else they can get their hands on to widen the boundries and take more property off the tax rolls. I ask any of you who are living outside of Adams Co. to come here and apply for the same job that you have now and live in the same size house and see how long it takes you to figure out what I'm talking about, until you live it you will not understand.

And just so everyone knows the locals didn't want the National Tower brought down it was the outsider movement.

[Dani Costa]

Thank you for correcting my error. I was in a rush writing that post and missed it, pet peeve of my as well.

When this all started, at the very beginning, I had read and heard discussions on the elimination of property taxes, before anything became written in stone. This issue started several years ago and I don't recall exactly when and where I heard/read everything. I am a single mom, working and a full time student, and it's the holidays, so I don't have time to go back through trying to pinpoint readings or recall exact discussions. But as I said, it really doesn't matter anymore. It is what it is and homeowners received a pitiful "reduction", if that's what you want to call it.

If you want to look up newspaper articles or reports on the initial gaming board that was thrown together, be my guest. Almost everyone of them, if not all, had some type of criminal or sketchy situation going on that was later brought to light after they were on the board. There are new members on the board now, but I'm talking about the initial group that was on the board that I testified in front of the first time this was an issue.

As a taxpayer and a citizen of this country, it's not gambling that makes me nervous, however, it's the way this was introduced to the state and even now, the crap that goes on behind the scenes, the crap attached to the bills, that eventually become our laws. The unknown, unseen garbage that affects our lives that we don't pay attention to.

And as far as the whole resident thing goes, again, I ask you, you're willing to trust in the system trying to bring this to your town? You know, it's funny, I remember during the first fight against this, Adams County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state. Your town and the surrounding area are absolutely some of the most gorgeous areas in this state. You don't have crappy slum areas. Your town is filled with some of the most gorgeous homes and little businesses around. Why would you want to risk that? And I didn't fight the Tower. I never did understand why people wanted that down. It provided some gorgeous views of the battlefield. If living in Gettysburg has been so rough, why do you stay? Over the years, you all have struggled so much because you've chosen to live in a historic town, a tourist town and the only salvation you can come up with is a casino? Sorry, but I don't buy it and I think you can do better than that.

[Jerry]

Dani Costa wrote:

Thank you for correcting my error. I was in a rush writing that post and missed it, pet peeve of my as well.
When this all started, at the very beginning, I had read and heard discussions on the elimination of property taxes, before anything became written in stone. This issue started several years ago and I don't recall exactly when and where I heard/read everything. I am a single mom, working and a full time student, and it's the holidays, so I don't have time to go back through trying to pinpoint readings or recall exact discussions. But as I said, it really doesn't matter anymore. It is what it is and homeowners received a pitiful "reduction", if that's what you want to call it.
If you want to look up newspaper articles or reports on the initial gaming board that was thrown together, be my guest. Almost everyone of them, if not all, had some type of criminal or sketchy situation going on that was later brought to light after they were on the board. There are new members on the board now, but I'm talking about the initial group that was on the board that I testified in front of the first time this was an issue.
As a taxpayer and a citizen of this country, it's not gambling that makes me nervous, however, it's the way this was introduced to the state and even now, the crap that goes on behind the scenes, the crap attached to the bills, that eventually become our laws. The unknown, unseen garbage that affects our lives that we don't pay attention to.
And as far as the whole resident thing goes, again, I ask you, you're willing to trust in the system trying to bring this to your town? You know, it's funny, I remember during the first fight against this, Adams County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state. Your town and the surrounding area are absolutely some of the most gorgeous areas in this state. You don't have crappy slum areas. Your town is filled with some of the most gorgeous homes and little businesses around. Why would you want to risk that? And I didn't fight the Tower. I never did understand why people wanted that down. It provided some gorgeous views of the battlefield. If living in Gettysburg has been so rough, why do you stay? Over the years, you all have struggled so much because you've chosen to live in a historic town, a tourist town and the only salvation you can come up with is a casino? Sorry, but I don't buy it and I think you can do better than that.

In the first part you admit you just make stuff up and don't care about facts and don't want to present any. Then you say Gettysburg didn't have slums in the past.

You really live on another planet, don't you?

No one has ever said a casino is the "only salvation." You continue to make things up and pretend you know what is really happening. Everyone would be better off if you either educated yourself before coming back or you just turned your computer off for good.

[Gene Golden]

Dani,
You probably read your "facts" as they were spewed out by someone such as yourself.

You just wrote these things as if they are true.
Someone else, who believes your side of the story, will pick them up and quote them later as "fact".

It is a great tactic, and it does seem to work well for you.

Put it out there - don't claim it as yours, but write it anyway. That seems to be the best that NoCasino has to offer. At least SSP recanted one of the "facts" about the license that she hastily spouted a few weeks back.

What can people make up about Dani Costa?
Is it right to do so?
If we apologize later, is it okay then?
The shame of it all is that you will continue to say things that are half-truth, innuendo, hearsay, and outright LIES - without any repercussion.

Once Richard Gere was connected with a gerbil, there was no correction prominent enough or loud enough to correct that.
But it's not the truth you're after, is it?
If the ends justify the means, then anything is game - even parading your child in front of a committee. You can't take THAT decision back either. Don't you wish you could?

[Facts]

Dani Costa wrote:

I am a single mom, working and a full time student, and it's the holidays, so I don't have time to go back through trying to pinpoint readings or recall exact discussions.

You're a piece of work. This is an interesting MO. Making outlandish accusations with no substantive proof, then telling people who call you on it that it's their responsibility to prove you wrong.

I heard somewhere one time in a place I can't remember that no one ever loses at a casino. I have a job, two kids, a long commute and volunteer a lot so I can't go proving that this is true so take my word for it.

Both sides can do it. The funny thing is that I really don't care if a casino comes to Gettysburg, but the continuation of outlandish statements from the opposition to the idea makes it seem like I'm all for it.

[Dani Costa]

Oh whatever you turkeys. My God, how nasty you all are. Well when the holiday season is over and I have more time, I'll be more than happy to dig up and issue quotes and present what I'm trying to say in a more suitable fashion for you folks. I'm not making anything up or "spewing" anything.

Gene, you said something to the effect on the NCG site about how lax you guys were the first round, you weren't kidding. You guys didn't pay attention to anything going on around you, the facts, the situations going on with gaming control board members, how this bill was conceived, how this crap is being handled now....are you paying attention to anything? I didn't think I had to spell anything out. Thought you were going to be more on the ball this time around???

And no Gene, I don't wish I could take it back. My daughter executed her right to testify in front of that committee. Sorry if it continues to piss you off that you guys lost the first round and will lose this round as well. You know if it were your kid that believed in something and fought for/against it, bet you'd be just as supportive as well. My daughter wasn't a publicity stunt. She has her own mind and did what she wanted to do. I supported her. I don't have to justify or explain it to anyone. You guys have nothing better to do but get ugly, mean and disrespectful. Same old methods as before and I'm not surprised.

Happy New Year, boys and girls.

[Gene Golden]

Dani,
Nasty?
What were you reading?
I called you no names, but I'm a "turkey"?

As I've said before, it's easier to make a stink AGAINST something. The media will jump at a chance to show a child, or an actor in Civil War garb - it plays well to the masses.
Whether their message is right or wrong, it is better TV.

The goofy guys with their naked bellies and faces painted blue or green will always get the attention of the camera at a football game, even more than the pretty girls, and THAT'S a shame.

But it does prove a point. If given a CHOICE of whether the predominantly male viewership would PREFER to see a half-naked blue blob, or a striking brunette fan - which do you think they'd choose?
The girl of course - yet the crazies will ALWAYS get more airtime... like the NoCasino's.

[Hanoverian]

Whether or not a casino comes to the area, I feel the need to correct some information about the property tax relief:

-- YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD TO CHOOSE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RELIEF.
-- THIS HAD TO BE DONE BY A VOTER REFERENDUM.
-- All of the licensed casinos are not yet open at full capacity so we have not seen a year of full fiscal income.

Notice the first 2 points in caps. So before you complain about not seeing tax relief, go back to the original news releases about the bill. If you did not push your local school district to list it as a voter referendum then that's your decision.

My local property taxes went down by just under $200 last year (and $130 the year before when the casinos had just started limited operations). Why is it that when school districts raise taxes by $50-$100 per year everyone says the number is a huge increase but now you are referring to a $200 DECREASE as "pitiful"??

[grizwald713]

Gene Golden wrote:

Dani,
Nasty?
As I've said before, it's easier to make a stink AGAINST something. The media will jump at a chance to show a child, or an actor in Civil War garb - it plays well to the masses.
Whether their message is right or wrong, it is better TV.
The goofy guys with their naked bellies and faces painted blue or green will always get the attention of the camera at a football game, even more than the pretty girls, and THAT'S a shame.
But it does prove a point. If given a CHOICE of whether the predominantly male viewership would PREFER to see a half-naked blue blob, or a striking brunette fan - which do you think they'd choose?
The girl of course - yet the crazies will ALWAYS get more airtime...

Hey...that's exactly how we got the president we now have. Great point Mr. Golden!
Just say NO!

[Work With Businesses]

In my occupation, I work with the business owners of Gettysburg, Adams County and surrounding areas of 100+ miles. Since the news of Mr. LeVan's new adventure, I have heard nothing but positive comments. Most of the businesses are excited for the Casino knowing it will only add new revenue for their businesses. This county cannot live on the dead (civil war soldiers) alone. There will be a Casino in this area. Why not have Adams County take advantage of it. The location is perfect. It will be a high class establishment.

Also, most recently I spoke to many of the 8% unemployed in this area and they are excited to know jobs will be available in the upcoming near future. This business will not open and close within a year or two like many little civil was shops do. This business will cater to the tourist not close at 5 p.m. and only be open 3 or 4 days a week.

Thank you Mr. LeVan. Also, for those of you who do not know Mr. LeVan, he is an exceptionally intelligent man with a vision. David and his wife, Jen, have given more of their money, time and interest to Adams County and Gettysburg than any other citizen of this county. Again, thank you David LeVan. I wish you the best of luck.