SEARCH NEWS:

 

Rhode Island Governor Want to Limit Race Dates

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Woonsocket Call: "Looking to squeeze the owners of Lincoln Park to sell the racetrack and gambling hall quickly, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri wants to limit the number of racing dates to be approved for 2004.

"Writing to Mario Forte, the associate director of the state Racing and Athletics Commission and the hearing officer for the park's application for race dates, Carcieri said, 'I believe the actions of the present owners of Lincoln Park have cast a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the facility, which only can be remedied by a change in that ownership. Newspaper reports indicate that a number of potential buyers have expressed an interest in acquiring Lincoln Park. I have repeatedly expressed my position that such a transaction should occur at the earliest possible time.

"'I believe it would be appropriate to limit the number of race dates initially approved by the Division,' Carcieri's letter continues, 'and to require the applicant to come before the Department at some point in the future -- perhaps ninety (90) days -- so that the Division can ascertain any change in circumstances of the applicant and approve further race dates as circumstances warrant.

"'I do not believe it is in the best interests of the State or the public to allow the company an unlimited time frame in which to bring resolution to their circumstances,' he said.

"…Asked if it was proper for the governor to ask for a cut in the racing dates after the hearing was over, Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said, 'Governor Carcieri believes it was appropriate for him to make his views know on the record while the record was still open.'…" News Brief: Looking to squeeze the owners of Lincoln Park to sell the racetrack and gambling hall quickly, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri wants to limit the number of racing dates to be approved for 2004.

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – As reported by the Woonsocket Call: "Looking to squeeze the owners of Lincoln Park to sell the racetrack and gambling hall quickly, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri wants to limit the number of racing dates to be approved for 2004.

"Writing to Mario Forte, the associate director of the state Racing and Athletics Commission and the hearing officer for the park's application for race dates, Carcieri said, 'I believe the actions of the present owners of Lincoln Park have cast a cloud of uncertainty over the future of the facility, which only can be remedied by a change in that ownership. Newspaper reports indicate that a number of potential buyers have expressed an interest in acquiring Lincoln Park. I have repeatedly expressed my position that such a transaction should occur at the earliest possible time.

"'I believe it would be appropriate to limit the number of race dates initially approved by the Division,' Carcieri's letter continues, 'and to require the applicant to come before the Department at some point in the future -- perhaps ninety (90) days -- so that the Division can ascertain any change in circumstances of the applicant and approve further race dates as circumstances warrant.

"'I do not believe it is in the best interests of the State or the public to allow the company an unlimited time frame in which to bring resolution to their circumstances,' he said.

"…Asked if it was proper for the governor to ask for a cut in the racing dates after the hearing was over, Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said, 'Governor Carcieri believes it was appropriate for him to make his views know on the record while the record was still open.'…"

< Gaming News