Yesterday, the Gettysburg Adams Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted a two-thirds majority in support of the Mason Dixon Resort and Casino proposal, according to Chamber President Carrie Stuart. The chamber board consists of 19 representatives from area businesses. Stuart would not comment as to how members of the board voted or if all board members were present for the vote.
What is known about the board’s decision to support the proposal is that a survey presented to the 539 chamber members of which only 194 responded, 51 percent said that the chamber should support David LeVan’s casino proposal. LeVan intends to convert the Eisenhower Hotel and Conference Center, located approximately 10 minutes away from historic downtown Gettysburg, into a gaming resort with 600 slot machines and 50 table games.
LeVan made a statement via email, "We couldn't be more pleased and thankful for the chamber's overwhelming endorsement." "It's further recognition of our position that Mason Dixon will have a dramatically-positive effect on Adams County in the form of jobs and economic development." Stuart also wouldn't comment as to what the chamber's endorsement signifies.
Susan Star Paddock, the head of No Casino Gettysburg said, "The last time the chamber took a position on the casino it split the chamber." The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will take into account public testimony prior to making a decision to grant LeVan the state’s last remaining Category 3 gambling license. If in fact only 194 out of 539 chamber members bothered to respond would it be fair to conclude that 345 members didn’t care to voice an opinion?
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