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
I wonder why Hooter’s hasn’t been shut down in Dothan yet, considering it is the bastion of the sex trade and would bring the perverted masses into this godly community.
Although i find it funny to watch a WWE event there and next to me is a bunch of 8 year olds eating wings and oblivious to the busty server that just winked at em as she refilled their sodas.
yeah, a true bastion of sin and vice.
I wish the Bible thumpers would stop buying their Sunday stash of beer on Saturdays and stop between six packs after church, telling us how this project will turn the area into a ghetto.
It tickles me pink to see so many rally against something and their strongest argument is, “Brother Bob sez it ain’t good for me.“
Do your own homework, then decide.
And for the record, as much as i support Country Crossing, I am not at all supportive of BamaJam.
Hey Kolk….Get off your soap box. I can already tell you are like my ex. Always right and can’t see anybody’s else viewpoint because you are close minded. You know the old saying “that’s why they make strawberry and vanilla”. Everybody has different likes and dislikes and that doesn’t necessarily make it wrong. I’m sure you have some vices but you would never admit it. I’ll bet your spouse knows them tho’.
Correction in my comment, I meant 1st Ammendment, the 2nd just protects the 1st….
This is getting good. “Word has it and some saw”. Ha ha. Standby folks, things are fixing to get interesting.
Gilley Said: “Hey Kolk…boy you’re something else with your holier than thou speeches. Don’t count Senator Smith out so soon as per my recollection she lost that election because she opposed our project not because she was in support. In fact when she stood against…I think she dropped over 26 points in the poles in less than 10 days. After she retracted her bill and her opponent stood against our project she made up dramatic ground and almost won…in case you forgot. Oh yeah the one who stood by you on his Christian moral issues ended loosing the election…in case you forgot. But again, we’ve already proved we never gave Senator Smith any money. So please don’t go there again. If you’re going to present the facts…get them straight first my friend.“
First point is that I’m not the friend of anyone who would bring gambling into our community just like anyone who would bring a pornography shop in. Next point is that you with your friends have twisted the truth (code for you outright lied) about not giving any help to Senator Smith. Word has it some money went to her from one of your holdings…with witnesses that saw it happen at your party with Troy King you had…amazing how he was able to find some thin little loophole to issue a letter about how machines were the same as paper bingo. I feel you’ve twisted the truth so well you don’t know what is a lie and what isn’t anymore.
Another point you said months ago was that you didn’t need the bingo to make CC work…what has changed? Where you bluffing? I feel you just don’t want to say what we all know, you and your friends stand to make a fortune personally and they won’t invest unless they get a piece of the gambling action. When is enough money enough for you? Anyone can see that this is not a community service your providing out of the kindness of your heart, it is pure greed at any cost and on the backs of the many losers that will most certainly feed your casino style machines.
About your “holier than thou speeches” comment, I believe I still have the freedom to make a disagreeing point in this country it’s contained in the 2nd Amendment.
I’d also like you to refute the statistics that I listed in my earlier posts about the effect of gambling on families and communities instead of side stepping them with name.
There is a silent majority of Christians that vote against this kind of stuff in our Wiregrass communities because of the harm it brings. That is why the Houston County Commission would let the people vote on it, they decided they knew better than the people. It was a slick surprise kept quiet until the last moment and you know it Mr. Gilley. Why if it’s such a good idea do you have to campaign so hard for it with all kinds of rallies and money and dinners to grease the palms of local elected officials.
I’ll list some facts again and give you the opportunity to refute them:
1: “Professor Robert Goodman, in his study entitled, “Legalized Gambling as a Strategy for Economic Development”, describes the effect of gambling on local business. He indicates that a study in South Dakota a year after legalizing video gambling in the state did “... show significant declines for selected activities such as clothing stores, recreation services, business services, auto dealers and service stations.“ Professor Goodman’s report, further quotes Timothy Ryan, a University of New Orleans economist, who reported that a proposed casino in New Orleans , “.. Will direct over $62 million from all retail businesses, excluding hotels.” He reported that in, “Atlantic City, homelessness increased after the introduction of casinos, while clothing stores and eating and drinking establishments declined. Only a few retail stores opened in the off-Boardwalk and downtown areas.“ He further stated, “Researchers calculated that the growth of crime in the Atlantic City region reduced property values by $24,000,000 for each easily accessible community to Atlantic City…” He points out that compulsive gambling is a major influence causing regional economic decline. His research, along with the research of Yaffee and Politzer show that compulsive gamblers drain regional economies of billions of dollars per year because of costly social programs and damage to existing businesses.
2. Research sponsored by the Illinois Business Review in the Spring of 1994 was done on four riverboat communities to determine if the communities really experienced increases in employment as promised by gambling proponents. After studying the employment figures for these four communities, the reports states that the, “...simple before and after comparisons suggest that riverboats did not create the jobs that were promised, and in fact, had little effect on reducing unemployment.“ They further found that, “.. none of the riverboats for which a full year of post-opening data was available showed a significant effect of the riverboat on reducing unemployment or increasing employment, though one showed a significant negative effect on employment.“ The Albuquerque Journal reported in June of 1992 that riverboat towns in Iowa suffered the loss of hundreds of jobs because of the capricious will of the gambling industry when Fort Madison had its two floating casinos pulled out unexpectedly. Casinos promise to create th ousands of jobs, but Professor John Kindt, a professor at University of Illinois, said, “The field research indicates that nationwide you stand to lose 1.5 jobs for every job the casinos create. In Chicago the field research indicated that 2 to 2.75 jobs would be lost if a land-base d casino were built and that is why Governor Edgar vetoed the proposal.“ Kindt says of gambling in general, “...for every dollar legalized gambling interests indicate is contributed in taxes, it really costs the taxpayer $3.00 to address the increased socio-economic costs to society.“ “
Gee Gilley, This sounds just like the tripe you trying to sell to the good people of the Wiregrass….some (really very few) get really rich while everyone else gets suffers in the local economy. We still haven’t seen you sell your plan based on facts…just wild unsubstantiated claims of wealth and riches for everyone in the Wiregrass. Gilley there is an old adage that says…”if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Well this one’s a whopper you’re trying to sell in Houston County and the Wiregrass.
This is getting TOO funny. DavidA, I play bingo a couple of times every week, here in Dothan, AL. And guess what…we play for money. I help my Mom play at the nursing home and like I said before…FOR MONEY. It is just quarters but non the less it is money. AGAIN let me said…I am an adult and I should have the right to choose. That’s why we have a legal age set.
I thought I should make clear that I rarely play electronic bingo although it is only a short drive for me.
I am simply in favor of an individual’s right to choose his own entertainment.
I have always looked at electronic and internet gambling as the digital equivalent of “Guess What Number I’m Thinking” (see Vegas Vacation movie).
One comment I forgot to add in my original. I’ve often thought about it and how funny, yet realistic it is. Now this is a true story.
I’ve traveled a bit in FL and AL. Its amazing how nice and well kept/updated the rest areas are in FL. Not to mention how many there are available. Conversely, between Montgomery and Troy, there was a rest area that had not been updated in over 40 years. The men’s restrooms had pink urinals. Yes, pink urinals for over 40 years.
They finally updated it though. They tore the entire rest area down.
That sums up the difference between FL and AL’s economic status for me.
Wanna Play Bingo?
Get on your computer and go to any of these sites.
Bingo.com
Bingozone.com
Rainbowbingo.com
Ballbingo.com
Just pull out your debit or credit card and begin playing right in the luxuary of your home.
And theres not a thing Gov Riley, his task force or any preacher can do or say about it.
Sad thing is no Alabama charity or education fund will benifit one single cent from the proceeds.
I would like to remind my fellow readers once more that Mr Gilley’s project has much more powerful opponents than any preachers or moral police.
These are the legal gaming interests keeping out competition. There’s only so much gaming revenue and they aren’t about to sit by and lose millions every year when they could prevent it. Indians spent millions to keep the lottery out of AL. Moral crusaders claimed a great victory. Gaming interests also contributed indirectly to Bob Riley. Follow the money.
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