Pike commissioners blast slot decision

By DAVID HULSE

MILFORD, PA — Commissioner’s Chair Harry Forbes anticipated the question from the one New York-based reporter covering his July 7 meeting. “Gambling…keep it over there,” he said, even before the question was posed.

Asked formally about Governor Rendell’s recent approval for the installation of 61,000 slot machines at 14 statewide racetracks, resorts and “slot parlor,” Forbes responded at length. “I’m against it…It’s the most ridiculous thing that state government has done and I’m not afraid to say so or tell [Governor] Rendell.”

Referencing provisions that would allow state legislators up to a one percent financial interest in the gambling interests, Forbes said the decision was “full of hidden agendas.”

“I’ve watched it in New Jersey and it hasn’t done anything for them.”

Further, he said, “[The governor and Legislature] haven’t considered municipal cost factors, addiction and other factors. I’m totally against it. It’s the wrong, wrong message,” he said.

Forbes’ fellow Republican Commissioner Richard Caridi said the Democratic governor’s proposal was deliberately misleading, “a canard, a Trojan horse, a pardon to the gambling establishment,” which would show “minuscule benefits that will evaporate rapidly, if they ever appear.”

Pike’s sole Democrat commissioner, Karl Wagner, did not attend the morning meeting.

On the street in Milford, most people in a small sample seemed to agree with the commissioners. “We have enough tourism. I really don’t think it was a good call,” one woman said.

A passing man said he was unfamiliar with the specifics of Rendell’s action, but was against gambling in general.

Another woman said going to a casino used to be a special outing. “Going to Atlantic City was an event. Now there are too many [casinos], too close. It defeats the purpose,” she said.

Another woman agreed. “I’m glad they came to Sullivan County, but I don’t want them here. They’ll create crime that we don’t need,” she said.

In other business, county planner Sally Jones reported that about 900 completed surveys have been received from residents commenting for the county’s ongoing comprehensive plan. Between a newspaper handout and printed versions distributed at municipal functions, she said some 22,000 surveys have been distributed since late June.

About 12 percent of a second survey, prepared for local municipal officials, has been returned. “We’re expecting that more will come in,” she said of both surveys.