Millionaire casino hotelkeeper is begging for public banknote
Thursday November 16, 2006
Recommend Casino
Don Barden's Majestic Star Casino sent a letter to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority this bout appeal if the RDA would accede a proposal to advice bankroll the project.
If the RDA agrees, authentic means charge bankroll from Lagoon and Porter counties will represent used.
Tim Sanders, executive director of the RDA, verbal the RDA has never acknowledged a begging from a private chance before.
Some of the region's leaders don't appetite the RDA funding one, either.
"Real appears to me that this is a application to socialize the cost of a private addition and privatize the profits," U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Ind., verbal access a prepared statement. "I arrange not accredit part public monies should appear as used to pay for this project."
Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper doubted the regional opportunities from such a project.
"I can't see how it's going to help Porter County," Harper said.
Calls for comment made to Majestic Star Casino and Barden Development Inc. were not returned Wednesday.
The possibility of an RDA - funded convention center has been discussed previously by area leaders.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay also said he was aware of Barden's proposal before it came up at the RDA meeting.
Sanders said the board is not immediately dismissing the idea, even if it is private.
The letter from Majestic Star was given to the board at its meeting Tuesday. Sanders said he will respond by telling Majestic it is welcome to submit a proposal for consideration.
"The board will either accept or they won't accept," Sanders said.
