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Web posted
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wellington, Mulvane in casino fight
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WELLINGTON (AP) -- Sumner County officials filed a lawsuit Friday against the city of Mulvane over its annexation of land near the Kansas Turnpike to accommodate a proposed resort casino.
The lawsuit alleges that Mulvane officials failed to comply with state laws by approving ''shoestring'' annexation of land near the city. Harrah's Entertainment-Sumner Gaming and Resorts wants to put a $500 million casino on the site. The proposal was endorsed last month by Mulvane's City Council.
Named in the lawsuit were Mulvane Mayor Jim Ford and council members Shawn Townson, Doug Hatfield, Joe Johnson, Terry Richardson and Jenean Keck.
According to a news release sent by the county to The Wellington Daily News, Mulvane officials also are accused of failing to notify property owners and not providing a plan for extending city services.
Mulvane City Administrator Kent Hixson said officials learned of the lawsuit when notified by the media. He declined to comment about ''any alleged technicalities'' in the litigation.
''The annexation was initiated and completed at the request of all the landowners. The City of Mulvane will continue to comply with the law and to treat this matter professionally and ethically,'' Hixson said. ''For Mulvane, the issue has always been one of fundamental fairness for our own residents and the people of Kansas.''
The lawsuit stems from a dispute between Sumner County and Mulvane officials over approval of applications for resort casinos. The county has endorsed two applications near Wellington, Penn National Gaming and Marvel Gaming-Binion Family Trust. Both would be near the Kansas Turnpike exit at Wellington.
County officials said because the annexation crosses the interstate, property owned by the Kansas Turnpike Authority, the annexation created an island of land. Such annexation requires county approval as determined by state law.
The state's new gambling law requires endorsements from cities or counties where casinos are to be located before prospective casino managers can sign contracts with the Kansas Lottery.
The law creates four gambling zones and one of those is Sumner County.
Harrah's expects to draw more than 3 million visitors annually and bring in $274 million in gambling revenue by its third year.
The casino would cover 70,000 square feet with more than 2,000 slot machines and 50 gaming tables.
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