Gilley organizing Country Crossing rally
JIM COOK/Dothan Eagle
Ronnie Gilley talks about the offer to move Country Crossing to Mississippi Saturday during an exclusive interview with the Eagle.
A week ago, Country Crossing developer Ronnie Gilley was feeling pretty good about the multi-million-dollar entertainment complex under construction on U.S. 231 South.
The project, first proposed by Gilley 11 months ago, was moving along until the governor put together this task force last week looking at the legality of electronic slot machines. Country Crossing’s economic facilitator is an electronic charitable bingo hall that will operate with 1,500 machines.
“We had a moment of peace and silence, then it was shot,” Gilley said.
Some more recent investors pulled from the project. The bulk of those who knew the venture for what it was – risky from the get-go – are still on board.
On New Year’s eve, a casino interest in Gulfport, Miss., tried to recruit Gilley to move the project to the Magnolia State. Gilley said because of family, he does not want to relocate though some investors see the offer as a “back-up plan.”
On Saturday, Gilley said he did experience some sleepless nights last week, as 2009 was swept in with an air of uncertainty. By Sunday night, he had recouped his optimism.
“I am feeling good. Feeling confident,” he said. “I am surrounded by supporters as we speak.”
Gilley is in the midst of planning a second Country Crossing support rally, similar to one held last spring which showed one local politician and others in opposition, that many do want the jobs, the outlet and the opportunities the project is expected to bring – even with the bingo component.
Gilley is currently working on getting singer and actor Jamie Foxx in for the rally, as well as a major country music star. He expects the event to happen within the next three weeks at the Dothan Civic Center. The rally could be moved to the Country Crossing site if more space is needed.
Gilley re-emphasized his commitment to keep the project in Houston County.
“We have no intentions of moving this project. We would have to be ran out before we leave. I have my heart, body, soul, money ... everything I have is invested in this project. We are going to ride it out and I am confident we will bring it to fruition.”
The Enterprise native said he does remain frustrated at the continued opposition to bingo, which currently operates in other parts of the state.
“The food and beverage industry is risky,” he said. “This project is not possible without some kind of main anchor tenant. Whether it is bingo, slot machines, or a lottery – people will play. They will play it anyway.
“What we are doing that is different is, we are going to use the bingo to create more opportunity. That’s opportunity for ourselves sure, but also opportunity for other people. Opportunity like no one has ever seen before.”
Gilley’s first-ever BamaJam festival last June drew upwards of 150,000 people from 29 states. He expects eventually every weekend at Country Crossing to become like a mini BamaJam.
Since the onset of the project, Gilley has taken a grassroots approach in fighting the the politicians and the preachers. Supporters of the project are vocal, and during BamaJam, Gilley often took to the stage and urged the crowd to take a hard look at their elected politicians.
“Politics is an ugly, ugly, ugly business,” Gilley said Saturday. “This project is economic development. Why would the governor be against it? At some point, somebody has to start standing up. This project is crucial to the state. We need support and we need people to come together.”
The rally date and entertainers could be announced as early as today.
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Tabby, next time you say something, how about saying something you know about.
Everything you posted is nothing but hearsay. I am a senior, and was at Bama Jam. I totally enjoyed myself….watching people. I was there all 3 days, to the end of each night. In all that that time I saw ONE person that was very obviously drunk. There were a few, very few, that had been drinking that were a bit ‘tipsy’..but certainly not out of control. People were very courteous, not only to me but others around them as well. Certainly there was a lot of people drinking, but in fact very few that were excessively drunk. I do not speak for hearsay, but from what I witnessed. I am sure there were some I did not see, but even if that was 25 people, it is still a very small percentage of the 180,000 people that passed the gates in those 3 days!
Also as far as how Ronnie Gilley treats people, be it his employees, volunteers or just people around him. Again you have no idea. Ronnie is one of the nicest people I have ever met, kind, generous and very friendly. I also know the people that work for him totally believe in him and his projects, as well as an enormous number of other people. We all have so much respect, very well earned, of this man, I have no doubt any one of them, or myself, would take a bullet for the man any day if it came down to it.
I can say all of this from personal experience and from what I know of him and what he has done for me and my family and several others as well.
Ronnie knows who I am, just not by this sign-on name. If he saw me in a crowd he would come over to me and greet me with a big hug and friendly comments. I know, because he has done it, every time I have seen him, including the first time I ever met him, at Bama Jam!
Is he trying to fill his own pockets? I sure hope so! The more he fills his own pockets, the more the entire Wiregrass area benefits!
It is really pretty sad when some people cannot understand or relate to a really good person. Instead have to rely on hearsay or what others may be saying about things another is doing well just because they hold some kind of grudge or jealousy.
I also heard about Bamajam being a drunkfest..among other things that were not reported in The Dothan Eagle. Naturally when you get a bunch of people together in this kind of atmosphere…it’s likely to occur but it didn’t help having that huge saloon for people to get their alcohol. I just hope they keep it in Enterprise if they don’t mind dealing with it and the likes of Ronnie Gilley…who again over estimates his importance and that people like what he’s doing…most believe he monopolizes and is out for only himself and getting his name in the paper…it works…The Dothan Eagle seems to love him. I heard directly from some out there at Bamajam about the way Mr. Gilley talked to those who were helping out and tried giving orders to one young lady who made it clear to him that she didn’t work for him but for the USA and would not do what he asked. And what he’s doing is NOT helping the economy…people will waste their money on his projects instead of paying for their household necessities and I saw that first hand. For those of us who have no respect for him…we just don’t have any part of what he does. He can smooth-talk anyone he wants…those of us with half a brain…know better. And my right as a citizen of this great country is to express my opinion whether anyone agrees with it or not. In time, people will figure out the truth. It always prevails.
Wiregrassboy,you got one thing right in your statement against Ronnie Gilley…that would be the part (BOY)you sound like a 9yr kid. Calling him a idiot you need to go back and read your BIBLE..the only one who sounds like a idiot is you,I’m not calling you one but you sure sound like one.Ronnie Gilley is a very good man sounds like you might have been hired to write this ..who’s puppy or you?
This Ronnie Gilley guy is being very reckless with other people’s money. This whole bingo thing is on very shaky ground. Hot Head Gilley is now attacking the governor and having rallys to divert attention from the law. Investors should be very wary of this idiot.
Posted in The Gadsden Times Fourms
quote:
Originally posted by CSolo40:
Hello, I’m from the Houston County area and a member of WiregrassLive.com and as you may know we have a huge Entertainment development being built that has the electronic bingo element to it, Country Crossing. Developer Ronnie Gilley is having a huge rally possibly on the 24th and the members of WiregrassLive are planning a statewide peaceful protest on the Capital steps the week after the rally. I was told that Gov. Rileys task force affects Gadsden as well, correct me if I heard wrong please. Anyway, we would like to invite anyone that would like to, to band together with us for this protest if you’re sick of the way this state is and has been for years..behind in everything and the laughing stock of the nation. We are very active on WiregrassLive and have a few threads up about the rally, protest etc. so please spread the word if you’re tired of our state government holding us back. You can lurk and read or join which is also free at WGL. Thanks…I’m CSolo40 on WGL.
Hello, I am from Etowah County and I am not supporting your Bingo Development until Ronnie calls off his “lynch man” Troy “the Boy” King form attacking our development. You see, Mr. King wants to “lock up Etowah people” but he gives the green light to Houston’s project. But, Houston we have a problem! You see, if it’s not legal in Etowah it’s not legal in Houston. Etowah County has Amendment 506 legalizing Bingo in the county, Houston has Amendment 569 doing the same. Both amendments are basically the same fundamentally, our amendment provides that the Amendment is self executing, meaning it needs no “enabling legislation” Your Amendment has enabling legislation in Act. 95-420. Well here’s the problem Houston, the enabling legislation Act-95-420 Section (1)a defines the game of Bingo as numbers or symbols on a card! (Card as in paper card). Mr. King has threaten to lock up Etowah Co. people because we have a supplemental local act that defines bingo as being played on a card. So why is it legal in Houston and not in Etowah? Maybe because Mr. Gilley and Troy are BFF (that Best Friends Forever for those not savvy in net language). This is the reason the Governor has stepped in to control the bizarre behavior of our Attorney General. Rest assured, the people in Etowah County are not going to stand by and see our economic opportunity slip away because of politics! So no I am not supportive of your project, I
Ronnie - I support you 100%. I was at all three days in 2008 and will likely be there in 2009. The great music you brought/will bring into the area is irresistible to me. But - as to the drunkfest issue - I will say there were quite a few people who likely should have been cut off at the beer tent or the saloon. I was able to enjoy the music in spite of that, but would like to see a little more regulation of the alcohol. Don’t get me wrong, I had a beer or two myself. But the folks who choose to get “falling down drunk” need to stay at home. I know that is difficult for you to regulate and I know many people would not attend if the alcohol wasn’t a part of the package, but just something to think about in the future.
Toobad…for your record. BamaJam was the largest 3 day tax revenue production in the history of Coffee County. Yes, we did pay for ALL security services at the event including but not limited to the the hiring of off duty deputies and police officers as to not cut into the county or city budget. At the time we had no idea it would be such a huge revenue producer for the county, city and state. In others words it was a win win win for all parties involved. An equitable distribution of wealth!!! I don’t know where you heard it was a drunk fest but once again you’re mistaken. Why don’t you go look ot the video footage. I would ask that you please try and get your facts straight before you post.
What amazes me more than anything is the fact people like you continue to attack our endeavors in such an underhanded way just like you did before our BamaJam event. But guess what, the people (majority) continue to overwhelmingly support the same. Just like BamaJam!
Hopefully, at some point, you’ll realize that what we are trying to do will be something great for everyone. But I’m not going to keep trying to convince you with blogs. My actions will speak for themselves. Just like BamaJam.
My last post. I’ll let the people work it out!
Good luck with all you endeavors. Especially, all of your charitable fund raisers. Let us know if we can help in anyway.
I talked to people that went to Bamajam and it was mostly a drunk-fest. Yeah, thats just what we want in our community. I wonder if Gilley paid the local police for all the money they had to pay in salaries to deal with the security?
Don’t forget, we wouldn’t be at this juncture if it wasn’t for the Houston County Commission not letting the people vote on this. Vote them out this next election.
Toobad:
I have spent most of my life in and around churches; i have organized, ran and volunteered for countless fundraisers and have interacted with more denominations than i can count on my hands. and I have spent several years with other non-profit groups doing the same thing.
I have seen the good and the bad of church operations, thank you so very much. if over 25 years of that experience doesn’t qualify, then i guess over 30 years of breathing doesn’t permit me to comment on the joy of living.
I am not name calling nor am i bashing those who don’t deserve it. i point out what i see before me.
and for someone who can’t spell the word “retarded,“ calling me uneducated, and my thoughts stupid is pretty pathetic.
and the first person to call his opponent stupid, dumb or any monosyllabic term usually loses the debate.
I respect opinions, whether i agree with them or not, but i refuse to respect ignorance founded on a mob mentality.
I would like to tell Florida that they are welcome to our money now since they were so kind as to give Alabamians Powerball tickets to buy.
And on that note… I am retiring from this blog… I’m sick and tired of having to post the same thing over and over because of knuckleheads that DON’T read the article and/or DON’T go back to actually read the posts that have been written by other users.
Good luck to you Ronnie Gilley! If you ever need some help lobbying for your cause, you know who to contact…
thorntonwestyle@gmail.com
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