Hundreds rally in support of Bedford Downs proposal

The commission was discriminatory in its decision, the local NAACP president says.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- One of the coldest days of winter did little to deter hundreds of people from showing their support for a proposed racing track and casino in Lawrence County.
More than 600 county leaders and residents attended Saturday's community rally at the Cascade Galleria on Jefferson Street to get behind the building of Bedford Downs, a gaming resort and racing track that would be near U.S. Route 422 and state Route 551 in Mahoning Township a few miles from the Ohio-Pennsylvania line.
The 90-minute event, organized by the Lawrence County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, featured a short video as well as several brief presentations lauding the project and the Shick family for proposing it.
Several speakers also denounced what they said was discrimination on the part of the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission's decision to deny a license for the project. The NAACP saw the decision as an injustice, saying the license request was turned down partly because of the inference that the developers had links to organized crime.
Reasons for rejection
In November, the commission rejected the plan, citing an apparent lack of financing on the part of the family of Carmen Shick, his sister, Kendra Tabak, and brother, Ken Shick II, all of whom have proposed the one-mile harness racetrack and casino. The report also rejected the idea because of apparent ties that family patriarch Carmen Ambrosia had to organized crime, but went on to say that the racing commission doesn't think the Shicks have any such ties.
Ambrosia, who is deceased, founded Ambrosia Coal and Construction Co. and other companies the siblings operate; Carmen Shick is Ambrosia's grandson.
"I think it's a disgrace" that the commission was discriminatory in its decision, said Evelyn Ward, the local NAACP's president, adding that no fault was found with the proposal.
Has filed appeal
Shick said that Bedford Downs has appealed the commission's ruling and is preparing a court brief in Commonwealth Court due Feb. 28. Oral arguments could get under way about 60 days after that, and a decision could be made by mid-June, Shick added.
"The family was wrongfully denied the license," said JoAnn McBride, executive director of the Lawrence County Board of Tourism.
McBride called Bedford Downs an "entertainment destination," saying the facility also would include a hotel and other amenities and would make the county a year-round destination. If the proposal is approved, construction and job creation would begin almost immediately, she told the audience, which consisted of business owners as well as various organized labor, veterans and agricultural groups.
Ed McCready, director of the Beaver-Lawrence County Farm Bureau, said the facility would help area farmers because demand for agricultural products and services will increase, and the rural flavor of the area will be maintained. "It will turn empty land into something to contribute to our rural economy," McCready said.
Seen as boon to economy
Carmen Shick and other backers of Bedford Downs say it would create more than 2,000 jobs in the casino alone and would be a boost to the local economy. That view was reflected by Robert McCracken, director of the county's Chamber of Commerce. McCracken estimated that 1,000 jobs would occur right away, with 500 more positions in related industries soon after.
The racetrack and casino would generate about $100 million in its first year; $500 million would be pumped into the economy after five years, he predicted. "That's like Lawrence County winning the Power Ball [jackpot] every year," he said.
Bedford Downs also would include an outlet mall, restaurants and an indoor water park and could generate up to 5,000 jobs altogether, Shick said.
A few speakers praised the Shick family for contributions they have made to the area over the years. Harry Kramer, director of the YMCA Camp Kon-o-Kwee/Spencer near Ellwood City, Pa., said the family helped build several ball fields, playgrounds and a 440-foot bridge for the camp, which serves children with disabilities.
Poncho Exposito, chairman of the Lawrence County Council of Governments, added that Ambrosia donated land to build parks and has helped area fire departments. He also urged those in attendance to show their support for the project by writing letters to state representatives and to newspapers.