WHAT'S NEXT IN CASINO PROCESS?

Published: Wednesday, September 8, 1993
Edition: THIRD
Section: METRO
Page: B6
Type: LETTERS

Text:

Shortly after the Louisiana legislature legalized casino gambling, Gov. Edwards announced he would appoint a "pristine" board to rule on all aspects of casino design, construction and management. This he did - nine members, good and true, each reportedly paid $90,0000 per year, housed used in a comfortable suite of offices on the 27th floor on One Canal Place and served by a staff of receptionists, secretaries and consultants: legal, financial, architectural and engineering.

After receiving and assimilating all manner of information from the two applicants, the consultants and the public, the Louisiana Economic Development and Gaming Corp. confounded the governor, the New Orleans City Council and even the public and awarded the operator's license to Harrah's Jazz Co., which had put forward a sensible proposal based on the wise adaptive re-use of the Rivergate building and realistic projections of probably casino revenues.

After basking in the apparent vindication of the fairness of the process, the governor swung into action. Scarcely giving the two protagonists time to take a few legal jabs, he apparently jerked some chains emphatically, to the effect that Harrah's Jazz coughed up its stronger position, Hemmeter-Robinowitz were given a piece of the action and the strident cries for demolition of the Rivergate, emanating from Councilwoman Dorthy Mae Taylor and Councilmen Lambert Boissiere and James Singleton were satisfied.

Is this what is to take place when the Louisiana Economic Development and Gaming Corp. runs its security checks on the characters who will shortly be descending on Louisiana or perhaps have already arrived: If they do not like the outcome of investigations, will they have only to run to Gov. Edwards and complain and he will overrule the board that he himself appointed?

Is anyone out there thinking, reading or listening? Does anyone out there care about Louisiana or New Orleans?

Betty L Moss

Copyright © The Times-Picayune Publishing Corp.

Correction to above article: LEDGCO PAY, $75,000 a year for the chairman, $60,000 for other members.