Rendell allows GOP panel choice

The nominees should be confirmed this month.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
It appears the power struggle between the Republican Party and Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell over appointments to the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission has been resolved.
Rendell this week withdrew a nomination he made last summer and reappointed Roy Wilt of Mercer County to the three-member commission.
The commission is expected to make a decision early next year whether the last harness racing license in the state will end up in Beaver or Lawrence county.
Wilt, a former Republican state senator, was appointed to the harness racing commission by former Gov. Tom Ridge, a Republican. Before that, he served on the State Ethics Commission after leaving elected office.
Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, who replaced Wilt in his Senate district, said the GOP felt it was important to have a western Pennsylvania presence on the commission.
"He's very knowledgeable and has done and outstanding job with the commission," Robbins said of Wilt.
Didn't vote
The Senate had not voted on nominations made by Rendell last summer. The three-member commission had one vacancy, and Wilt's term had expired, but he remained on the commission until a replacement was approved by the Senate. The only current member is C. Edward Rogers Jr. His term expires in March 2005.
Rendell had nominated Jeffrey Seder, an attorney from suburban Philadelphia who owns a horse farm, and Richard J. Bolte Sr. of Philadelphia, owner of a shipping company who also is involved in harness racing. Both are registered Republicans.
Rendell, however, withdrew Seder's name and nominated Wilt.
"Although the governor felt that both candidates were qualified and confirmable, he felt that Mr. Wilt's nomination would be easier given the political realities in the state Senate," said Chuck Ardo, Rendell spokesman, referring to the Republican majority in the Senate.
Robbins said Senate President pro tem Robert Jubelirer of Altoona, R-30th, also supported keeping Wilt on the commission.
Robbins said he expects the Senate to confirm Wilt and Bolte before its session ends later this month.
Consistency on the harness racing commission is important because of the decision before it, Robbins said.
In September, the commission started hearings for the two entities seeking the state's last harness racing license.
Bedford Downs
Bedford Downs is a proposed one-mile harness race track in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, just off U.S. Route 422, owned by the Shick family. The Bedford plans also include slots, hotels, shopping, a water park and housing.
Valley View Downs is planned for a 200-acre plot off Pa. Route 51 in Beaver County. It is owned by Centaur Inc., a Midwest company, that also wants to build restaurants, shops and hotels. Its track would be 5/8 of a mile.
Shick could not be reached Friday to comment. He was in Harrisburg attending Valley View Downs harness commission hearings that had been ongoing since Tuesday. Bedford Downs had its hearing last month.
Lawrence County Commissioner Dan Vogler, a Bedford Downs supporter, said he was pleased that Wilt was reappointed. He said Wilt is an honorable man who'll make a fair decision.