tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post9122141746171145413..comments2023-06-24T07:02:43.259-07:00Comments on SASSCER HILL: AS PETITION DRIVE NEARS ITS GOAL, MARYLAND SLOTS FIGHT GETS UGLIER: January 27, 2010 News ReportSasscer Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05855348330942561488noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post-18371049915673792152010-01-28T07:23:44.143-08:002010-01-28T07:23:44.143-08:00To msschulenburg. Thank you for leaving a comment....To msschulenburg. Thank you for leaving a comment. You are, of course, right. Mr. Anicelli's group and the Dorchester's residents, are looking out for themselves. Who else would do it for them?<br /><br />The other group involved in the petition drive is the Maryland Jockey Club, and a great number of people who have a passion for, and involvement in, Maryland racing. Remember that the slots "operator" gets 33% of the take. Racing folks who worked hard to get slots into Maryland, don't want to see a group (that did nothing to help the slots legislation early on) step in at the last minute and take the money.<br /><br />Sadly, as always, it's all about money.Sasscer Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855348330942561488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post-87831679648636930822010-01-28T07:16:51.048-08:002010-01-28T07:16:51.048-08:00Regarding Christopher's comment, I searched on...Regarding Christopher's comment, I searched on line and could find no record of a meeting to discuss Laurel Park impact fees other than one that took place in the fall of 2009. <br /><br />Mr. Anicelli's group, however, has made a number of online notifications about signature collecting to obtain a referendum to change the Anne Arundel County zoning allowing slots at Arundel Mills.Sasscer Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855348330942561488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post-69443713603476588562010-01-27T19:43:46.738-08:002010-01-27T19:43:46.738-08:00Mr. Smallwood speaks only for himself and a few ot...Mr. Smallwood speaks only for himself and a few other eccentric people who think slots would be good for Laurel. He does not speak for the residents of Maryland City or any other neighborhood and neither does Ms. Mignon. As far as Mr. Anicelli and the other Dorchester residents waging the petition drive, they are looking out strictly for themselves, not the racetrack workers, and certainly not other residents of Anne Arundel County. Let's set the record straight.msschulenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00746332536399450453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post-39692125422849330272010-01-27T18:32:30.218-08:002010-01-27T18:32:30.218-08:00This issue has nothing to do with the curent "...This issue has nothing to do with the curent " owners,managment" of Laurel. As a horsewomen I have worked at Laurel. If they Don't get the slots at Laurel the game is over. This will put many good people out of work> Many of the horsemen at Laurel are not in the elite catagory of trainers. They work 12 hour days for something they believe in. These people are the backbone of the industry,they need all the help they can get. Slots are an end to that means. To lose the Preakness would be criminal.I ask you to take an open minded look at this issue. Then draw your conclusions.Janie Rupphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00780276667702020981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post-28166161716319705962010-01-27T08:23:07.605-08:002010-01-27T08:23:07.605-08:00This is a disgrace. If one factors in the reckles...This is a disgrace. If one factors in the reckless disreregard the MD State House has given consideration to the open-space horse owning advocates, jobs and revenue potential of helping the race industry it becomes plainly tragic. Thank Stronach and his ego with a ton of assistance of same...troll.<br /><br />The mall slots situation is nothing more than a shove back up the butt to the race slots proponents by holier than thou politicians that got spanked by the initial slots referendum.<br /><br />Good job MD...I truly hope that you loose the Preakness and all the tracks. With a little luck you'll get teetering on bankruptcy development companies promising the moon, half built and occupied structures and the counties and state left holding the bag.<br /><br />Good job Annapolis!<br /><br />D. Masters<br />formerly of BowieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9032946055341303219.post-20240844310727061372010-01-27T08:20:07.713-08:002010-01-27T08:20:07.713-08:00I was there. Smallwood is completely misrepresenti...I was there. Smallwood is completely misrepresenting the event. <br /><br />Here's what happened. A meeting notice was published online and in a variety of printed publications stating that there would be a public discussion of Laurel Park impact fees. It mentioned that elected officials and reporters might be in attendance.<br /><br />About 12 people showed up to discuss the issue, only to be informed that those who'd scheduled the meeting (A Ms. Mignon if my memory serves me) would not be attending. Mr. Smallwood stated that he was attending in her stead.<br />In fact, it appears that the meeting was a blatant bait-and-switch as Mr. Smallwood had no intention of discussing the issue and instead presented a stack of petitions to those in attendance, none of whom seemed inclined to sign.<br /><br />Portraying the attendees as rabble-rousers or instigators is blatantly false and reprehensible. All in attendance seemed logical, well reasoned and open to a discussion of the issue. In fact, it was Mr. Smallwood who seemed to have ZERO grasp of how impact fees would affect Laurel, his fire department and the surrounding community. His obvious bias and disdain for those in attendance was on display.<br /><br />I left the meeting thinking the meeting was uneventful and generally cordial, but I guess I now know how things work in Maryland City/Laurel.Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03455388742233286199noreply@blogger.com