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The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) will make a determination in late December which two sites in Philadelphia will be chosen to house a slots parlor—whether citizens/residents/voters like it or not.
East Falls may have the dubious distinction of being one of the “winners,” if the proposal submitted by Keystone Redevelopment Partners LLC., on behalf of Trump Entertainment Resorts and several other partners, is chosen. The newest proposal from Trump (its 1st submission was made in December 2005; a revision has recently been submitted) shows the original site expanded to include its latest option, the corner of Roberts Ave. and Fox St., presently occupied by a building owned by Tasty Baking Company. The west end of the site will still butt the Randolph Career Academy on Henry Ave., while the Roberts Ave. entrance sits opposite the Abbottsford Housing Development. A new entrance on Fox Street will be opposite the main Budd site, a conglomerate of buildings where the Salvation Army, Forensic Dialysis and other new businesses are planning to open. The Multi-Community Alliance (26 local organizations) has not withdrawn its opposition to the Trump proposal, and is urging residents to continue to let both the PGCB and local politicians know they strongly object to a slots parlor placed in the middle of five residential neighborhoods. Coming Events: Saturday, October 21, 2006, “No Casino Here” motorcade through MCA neighborhoods. Meet at Henry and Roberts Aves. by 11:30am, to set up motorcade. Check for additional details via email or our website: www.casinofreezone.com. East Falls’ “No Casino Here” Committee urges residents to continue to write, and re-write, to all members of the PGCB as well as elected officials to voice their opposition. A mailing list can be found on page 14 of this issue. Postcards to send will be available at East Falls Festival events. Stop at East Falls Development Corp., East Falls Business Assoc. or East Falls Community tables on Oct. 7 (McMichael Park) and Feb. 14 (Inn Yard Park) to sign postcards to send to PGCB members and politicians. Tuesday, November 14, 2006, 2-5pm, Final hearing on the TrumpStreet application at the Gaming Board in Harrisburg. Plan on attending. We need to turn out in large numbers to let PGCB know there is strong local opposition to a slots parlor in our community. Stay tuned through online sites for any additional information on “no casino” initiatives: www.casinofreezone.com is the Multi-Community Alliance website, while www.nabrhood.org is a riverfront organization opposed to casinos anywhere in Pennsylvania. NABR (Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront) is also part of a statewide initiative to have Act 71 repealed. In September, the MCA voted to join with NABR in filing suit against the Gaming Board to enjoin the Class 2 licensing process as well. Another site to check for up to date information, is www.hallwatch.org
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