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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Reader Reactions
Makitaman:
First of all I would like to thank you for wasting everybody’s time with your useless and INFORMATIVE rebuttal.
#1 - The article the we are discussing is right above this board. All of your comments are null and void unless you have actually read the above column. TWICE you have either incorrectly stated AND asked concerning Gilley’s origins. It CLEARLY states in reference to Gilley: “The Enterprise native said…“ The article that came out just ONE day before this one stated his reasons for NOT wanting to move it out of this area! I would quote that article too, but I’d rather have you actually find it for yourself by READING… hehe
#2 - Also, maybe you don’t have to pay at the Peanut Festival for parking anymore… I live 1000 miles away and cannot seem to pull away from my busy schedule to go, but I HAVE been to music festivals where you pay $15-20 for parking! If you have ever been to downtown Atlanta to see a show at Philips Arena or the Georgia Dome, then you pay $30 or more to stay in the parking adjacent to the arenas! If you ever make it outside of Dothan, I recommend checking this out for yourself.
#3 - If you didn’t see gambling going on at the Peanut Festival, then you probably gambled without even knowing it! A few of these games are: knocking down milkcans with a softball, ringing the bottlenecks with a ring, shooting a waterpistol at a target, throwing a hula hoop over a giant stuffed animal, etc etc. You pay money whether it is $1 or $10 to have the chance to win a prize, and THAT is gambling whether you think it is fun or not! I personally would rather drop $200 on a blackjack table than pay $1 to roll a softball off of a stop sign into a bucket! It is MUCH more fun 
Then again, we are not building casinos in Dothan, and I am not going to drive all the way down there to play bingo when Atlantic City is alot closer!
#4 - Your “Ronnie Gilley” quote is 8 months old and pertains to NOTHING when it comes to supporting the argument you so poorly attempted to convey…
It is amazing how some people can jump to the conclusion that because I think that the “church” is too involved in everyone’s entertainment decisions around here that I must not be a Christian. I grew up in the church so for me to acknowledge that there are hypocrits that will be at CC on weekends is not a stretch, it’s the truth. Do I think that the people on here will necessarily be there? No. But there will be some that have so much morbid curiosity that they can’t stand it. I am a “heathen” for thinking that people should be able to make their own decision about what they do on weekends? No. Most weekends I watch tv with my kids. Am I somehow retarded or uneducated for my opinions? Neither. I grew up in the land of the free where controversy can be openly debated. I know not all churchgoers can be lumped into one pile, but what gets me is they always think they speak to for everyone and that everything they condone is good and everything they condemn is bad. Define good. One person’s good might not be another’s. One person’s good might be the additional jobs to the area, or something else to do on weekends besides go to the same old restaurants or movie theaters. There have been some very profound statements on this board, not the least of which is from JesusLover: “I think a common denominator thoughout this thread is no one wants someone else to make a decision for them and each of us want our voice heard. What better way to accomphish this than to allow the people to vote on the issue?“ People are always afraid of change or something they are not familiar with. That is why I put that in about sneaking in disguised. After some of the things on here about how horrible and vile the place would be, (prejudgement), some would have to see for themselves.
How did this get so complicated anyway. My initial reason for being on here was to point out that it’s no one’s business what anyone else does. That’s between them and the one they pray to. If CC goes in and succeeds, whoopdidoo. It it fails, then whatever. I just don’t see what all the politicians and churches, etc. have to do with it if it’s not the money involved. It’s just another business someone wants to start to make money. Period. The fact that this is such a big hairy deal to people just solidifies something for me; Dothan is the biggest little city in Alabama and Alabama continually draws negative attention to itself in the eyes of the rest of the country because of our vast population of busy-bodies.
I did not get on here with the intention of insultiing anyone. I am only voicing my opinions which have developed over the years through observation and living life in this area. I’ve lived here all my life and I still have culture shock at how closed off people can be. It has never been my practice to sugar-coat things. There is too much of that in the world as it is and people’s poor little feelings get hurt when they hear the truth, which is sometimes difficult to swallow. The truth, which I’m sure a lot of people on here will agree with me, is that the economy sucks, we have an opportunity in this area to improve it, we have a man who is willing to stick his neck out on a chopping block if need be to keep jobs here instead of in another state, and we need to give this thing a chance to fly. If it crashes, then to all the opponents out there, then you told us so. We’ll even throw you a party and pay for the sparkling cider.
Lets see, RG is from where ? I’m not real bright, but I did go to the Peanut Festial and I don’t remember paying for parking on the grounds.Now I have been when the parking lot was full at the old location and yes I did have to pay to park.Oh and by the way I have spent alot more than $20.00 and the Peanut Featival and guess what their was no drinking or gambling just good clean FAMILY fun. Well let me leave you with a quote from RG.
Ronnie Gilley talks about Country Crossing
May 15, 2008
Debbie Ingram
The B-I-N-G-O word hardly came out of Ronnie Gilley’s mouth Thursday when he addressed the annual meeting of the Dothan Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Country Crossing, he said, was never ABOUT bingo. It is about entertainment. Country music entertainment, and creating a destination unlike any in the world. Where else could you pick any weekend of the year and find a top country act performing. This will happen, he says, on Highway 231 South at Smithville Road, the site of the development.
Why do people keep complaining about BamaJam? Have you ever been to a REAL music festival? Mr. Gilley is not ripping you off by charging for parking and drinks! Let’s break this down:
As with ANY festival, you pay $30-45 for a ticket, $10-15 for parking, $7 for a 12oz Miller Lite, and $5 for a 20oz Coke!
ALL festivals, theme parks, sporting events make their money off of parking and vending! Ticket sales and advertising only help with the overhead! This makes me believe that the same people complaining about BamaJam must absolutely HATE the Peanut Festival. You pay your admission and… wait a second… you have to pay for parking, food, and drinks too? What the heck?
Also, opponents of gambling should be opponents of this so-called Peanut Festival, as well… You know how many kids (and maybe some adults) blow their allowances on those idiotic games trying to win a gigantic stuffed animal? I know that I once blew $20 on the ring-toss game to get a Tasmanian Devil (about 15 years ago)! If you want to argue with me on why this is ok and bingo is not… haha… I probably won’t listen because the definition of gambling is:
“The wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods.“
Whether it is a giant Tasmanian Devil or a $1000 payout, IT IS ALL GAMBLING!!!
To makitaman:
Gilley is from the area… THAT is why he doesn’t want to move it to Mississippi! If you would actually read before you posted then you would have known this! Thank you come again…
To peachy and jorod:
Whoa! Chill on the insults!!! (I am agnostic by the way not an offended Christian) You should always have respect for someone else’s beliefs! Don’t bash the entire religion because a few of the “blind-faithful” talking out of their rear-end. If you are going to make a point against religion than do it with stated facts NOT harsh opinions…
Come on people don’t be so blind, it’s not about religion. I have read these comments and this is the biggest joke I have ever seen.This guy is now going to have a rally to over throw the Governor of Alabama decision.I wonder how much RG is going to charge for tickets to go to the rally.People this is a circus.This guy is starting to sweat.Has anyone really looked at any of his projects.There was a project in Panama City, then there was going to be 750 acres for Country Crossing in Houston County but someone found a arrowhead on the property imagine that a arrowhead on 750 acres in south Alabama. I bet there some Indian artifacts on the new site.All I ever hear him brag about is BamaJam and how many people showed up.If you’ll do some research he gave or discounted more tickets than he sold.Once he got people inside the gates they were going to spend money. People he even charged for parking on the grounds.If I ran a car dealship he is everything I would want in a salesman.He had some great acts at BamaJam and sounds like he’s going too next year and people will show up again, but don’t forget these entertainers are at work they are being paid to be there.Bottom line people don’t be fooled that you are being done any favors.Why would anyone in there right mind stay here and with all the headaches when they will welcome him in Mississippi with open arms.I sure at his Rally he’ll have a gimic to pull people in, like meet George Jones, and Jami Fox or any other stars he can schedule to be there.I jut want to see how far out on that limb this guy will go.Didn’t he do his homework before he went to spending investors money on a gambling hall, and what happen to the family entertainment, is there going to be a daycare to watch the kids while I gamble and drink and listen to live music.Come on I’m 58 years old and I would have never thought I we see something like this.This guy needs to start thinking about the real working folk in our state sure everything is not the way we would do it but that’s the way it is and if he continues to bash the Governor’s decisions I don’t think it’s going to help with his problem.How much money does this guy need hasn’t he done made a million or two or does he just owe several.Remember people these comments are just personal opinions of the citizens of the area.I say everyone thats for him getting his way is invest in the project I’m sure he’ll accept.I really hate the fact that he has useed so many celebrities to sell his project I’m sure it’s cost them some fans here and there.Thank’s for letting me just voice a opinion.Roll On Mississippi Big river Roll.
I must have been typing my response the same time Toobad was typing theirs. Some much for my observation! Let’s try to keep it civil folks with no personal attacks or name calling.
Wow! This has become quite a thread! I’ve received lessons in economics, history, civics, and theology. I must also say, with the exception of a few personal jabs such as bible thumpers, holy-than-thou’s etc’s most posters have been civil. (Has anyone but me noticed no one has been called a heathen, anti-Chirst, etc? Just an observation). I think a common denominator thoughout this thread is no one wants someone else to make a decision for them and each of us want our voice heard. What better way to accomphish this than to allow the people to vote on the issue?
Isn’t it funny how the people that can’t debate the issue turn eventually to calling names and proclaiming someone is a hypocrite. If you spent as much time learning about how a Church operates you would understand it is purley through donations and it is never forced and our local church are not TV type evangilist begging for your last dollar.
Your accusations are unfounded, vile, and stupid. Justpeachy and jorod74, you should step out of you small cynical world and attend a church and see how Christians are instead of using a broad brush to paint them in one swoop becuase you saw a TV evangilist on Sunday morning after putting on a good drunk.
If I did the same for you two as you do for others on here, I’d say your uneducated, slightly retarted because your logic makes no sense and just plain stupid because you don’t understand church finance and make unsubtiated claims, but I won’t.
I just simply feel sorry for you. I’m not in Church much but at least I know better than to belittle the people that go regularly and stick to thier guns on what they believe.
Jorod74, OMG! You are so right! They are not competing for souls here. They are competing for the same dollars! Well, if it’s money they want, then they should let the thing go through. Just imagine all those lost poor souls that will need council on Sunday morning after a Saturday night of sinful fun. Maybe if they win a little money, they can put more in the plate. I personally think the wig industry would experience a boon if CC went in. The people on here who just have to see for themselves (probably more than once) wouldn’t dare be caught in there without a disguise.
I think we’ve been deceived, folks.
And bravo to how it was done.
The churches aren’t fighting against sin and vice or economic ruin; they are worried that this project with put a dent in their business.
Have you noticed that churches these days offer as much as a WalMart when it comes to social activities? Summer camps, little league teams in multiple sports, after school programs.., churches are more like one stop recreation centers than houses of worship. Wonder why? There’s money to be made in that and i won’t even suggest what raffles and fundraisers do to their coffers.
I swear, when the sunday bulletin from your church needs a table of contents and a phone directory for the athletics department, you gotta ask, “Where’s God fit in this place anymore?“
So a civic minded project like this is a threat to a holy monopoly. They can’t allow us a choice of activities because they gave us too much freedom when we were allowed to choose which church had the most fun to offer. Or which church had the best message, i should say.
Even if 99 percent of CC was family fun, and they piped in TBN on all the tvs in the joint, the one percent being a charity bingo tournament, the local churches would cry foul and damn this to ruin.
So all this Googling and quoting the great, flawed founding fathers is just smoke and mirrors to distract you from the fact that recreation is a side project for churches to make money and this may take away from their share of the income.
I don’t bash bible thumpers because i am a faithless heathen who hates them;i bash hypocrisy that hides behind a shield that never can be dented by a logical argument: blind faith.
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