Two Towns React To Casino Decision

Reporter: Deb Farris
Email Address: deb.farris@kake.com

Poll

A | A | A

Dorale Gerlach is especially excited. Harrah's Casino is offering to buy some of her farm land near Mulvane for its golf course.

A state panel has selected Harrah's and Mulvane for a Sumner Co. Casino. Do you;

Approve the decision

Oppose the decision

"I'm very excited," she says. "I'm thrilled for Mulvane. They fought so hard. This is a thrill for the whole area."

The state's casino review board voted Friday to choose Harrah's Casino and Resort off of the Kansas Turnpike near Mulvane. Most residents there are happy with the choice, but others aren't quite so jubilant.

"I'm opposed to it since I live a mile from the site," said Jeff Herrmann. "I feel the quality of life will go down because of this."

Herrmann says he's worried about an increase in crime and more traffic.

In Wellington, where so many people fought to get a casino, there is disappointment.

"I just had the feeling that this would happen," said Wellington business owner Sherri Theurer. "It's closer to Wichita."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: S Location: Mulvane on Aug 26, 2008 at 10:41 AM
How can the KAKE poll for or against the Mulvane casino provide any relevant information when I can sit on a computer and vote one way or the other many times a day from the same computer. It is one person voting one way many many times. I hope no one is going to try to use the poll to show why Mulvane should or should not have been selected.

Posted by: Bill Location: Oxford on Aug 24, 2008 at 06:12 PM
How can the gaming commission go against the wishes of the Sumner County Commissioners and the people. The location at US 81 and Peck Rd. (119 Ave) is a dangerous intersection the locale can tell you that there is a bad accident at this location once every 4-6 weeks. I can tell you of one accident that took the lives of a 10 year old girl and her 12 year old cousin at this intersection. And they want to increase the traffic flow at this location with a casino. Wellington location would of been a safer location.

Posted by: / on Aug 24, 2008 at 11:01 AM
OH MY GOD!!!!! Somebody call the WHAAAAAAAAAAMBULANCE!!!!!! Get over it!!! It's just a casino!!!

Posted by: Dave Location: Wichita on Aug 24, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Rania, you should spend more time watching the news, and less time on message boards. Hansel told KAKE she felt like moving to Oklahoma Friday night at 6...The video is available on this website.

Posted by: rania Location: belle plaine on Aug 23, 2008 at 11:05 PM
Surprise to anyone that Shelly's Former Employers didn't air any of her unprofessional, immature and distasteful comments? This is how KAKE handles any news that involves Sumner County, they call Shelly and ask her how they should report any news.

Posted by: msj Location: wellington on Aug 23, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I hope that the city officials in Wellington and the Sumner County Commisioners DO NOT TAKE THIS LYING DOWN! We here in Wellington got screwed. Mulvane should keep in mind they could be next.

Posted by: Ellen Location: Wellington on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:00 PM
My theory is Wellington was never going to get the Casino in the first place. The lottery board, influenced by Topeka, picked the one least likely to pass the finance test. The whole process will then start over and I'll bet Sedgwick will get to vote again. If they can pass it this time, the casino will be in downtown Wichita and Sumner will be left out altogether.

Posted by: Scott on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:00 PM
We need to back off of Shelly???? Give me a break. She was only out for the good of Wellington not South Central Kansas or Sumner county. Anyone with clear sense would have embraced all the proposals, as they all will benefit the county and not mainly Wellington! Hansel should go home disgraced! What an unprofessional response to all of the work she has put into it. Shelly, we are embarrassed of your actions too! So whatever we can do to help you move out of the state, let us know!

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 23, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Too bad Mulvane didn't propose the casino actually be in Mulvane, instead of Peck. They could have leveled downtown, (starting with the Mulvane News building),and put the casino there. Downtown could have been revitalized. Now that would have been a win/win by any measure!

Posted by: Jeanette Location: Peck on Aug 23, 2008 at 09:28 AM
To all of the Mulvane supporters of the casino, thank you so much for all of your hard work to get a casino that is going to be in my backyard and not yours. If only all of you could work so hard together for a truly good cause like helping the hungry children in Mulvane or purchasing needed supplies for the schools. Just think of the difference you could make. Oh, that's right, that is what the revenue from the casino is supposed to do. What a joke!! Thanks again for forcing something on the people of Peck who have chosen to live in the country for a reason.

Posted by: MARY BUZZELL Location: WELLINGTON KANSAS on Aug 23, 2008 at 08:54 AM
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DECISION THE CASINO WILL GO TO THE MULVANE EXIT. AS ALWAYS, THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE NUMBERS COUNT WITH GOVT. JUST FOUND OUT THE NUMBERS COUNT ONLY WHEN LAW-MAKERS WANT THEM TO..SORRY TO THE LARGEST MAJORITY OF MULVANE POPULATION THAT LIVE NORTH OF THE ALLY (SEDGWICK COUNTY), YOUR VOTE DIDN'T COUNT EITHER...YOUR CITY COUNSEL JUST SIMPLY ANNEXED SEDGWICK COUNTY LAND INTO SUMNER COUNTY. SPEAKING OF THE MULVANE CITY COUNSEL...SHAME ON YOU FOR YOUR AMBUSH TACTICS...ALWAYS HAS ALWAYS WILL BE...SUCKING OFF THE HARD WORK OF OTHERS...AND ALWAYS GETTING AWAY WITH YOUR UNETHICAL PRACTICE OF LAW MAKING...HOW DO I KNOW ABOUT YOUR CITY COUNSEL ETHICS...I LIVED AND WORKED IN MULVANE ONCE UPON A TIME. NOW FOR ALL THE RESIDENCE OF SUMNER COUNTY...I TRULY FEEL LETTERS TO OR REPS. DIDN'T DO A LOT OF GOOD, BUT VINCE WETTA, SUMNER COUNTY COMMISIONERS, CITY COUNSEL MEMBERS OF WELLINGTON, AND OTHER SUMNER COUNTY TOWNS, ASIDE FROM MULVANE, DID A GREAT JOB FOR US!

Posted by: Randy Location: Conway Springs on Aug 23, 2008 at 08:53 AM
You need to back off on Shelly. I have never met the Lady, but I know she devoted a lot of her time to this project. Many in the county were dissappointed in the system today. I don't think, this is what the voters of Sumner County wanted. Leave it to the State of Kansas to mess up a good idea.

Posted by: Shirley Location: Caldwell on Aug 23, 2008 at 08:04 AM
I am not surprised that the casino went to Mulvane, after all it is Wichita. I hope everyone in this part of the country will go to Oklahoma. I for one do not like Wichita and and do not want to associate with the people from there, so I will go to Oklahoma.

Posted by: Kelly A. Location: Wichita on Aug 23, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Shelley Hansel is a bitter soul. Lose with some dignity. She was never very "interesting" as a "frumpy" news reporter, anyway. You are a lousy ambassador for the town of Wellington and furthermore, not a spokesperson for the State of Kansas. I'll chip in for the gas it takes to move you out of state so you can embarrass them like you did to us.

Posted by: Business Decision Location: Wichita on Aug 22, 2008 at 11:38 PM
I have followed the casino contest for months now and have been very impressed with Matt All's leadership of the review board. Today he said the decision to choose Harrah's for him was strictly business and I believe that's the truth. If the Mulvane supporters had lost, they would have accepted it and congratulated the winners. That's what people with Kansas class do. However, listening to Shelley Hansel say “I hope Harrah’s goes down in flames and I hope the south central zone is completely left out and I hope the State of Kansas loses money from not having a good casino in south central Kansas” was shocking. What a clear display of being an angry, bitter, sore loser. She said she was ashamed to be a Kansan and was considering moving to Oklahoma. I say start packing your bags, because there are some nice casinos down there for you to visit and this great state will do just fine without you.

Posted by: RANDY Location: PECK on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:53 PM
I am truly disapointed that the disapproval by those living close to the peck casino site weren't listened to. The site isn't supposed to be going where there is opposition and I guarrantee you there has been plenty of opposition. If any one would like to live 100 feet from the casino let me know I have a great place they can buy.

Posted by: concerned Location: sumner county on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Mulvane did what anybody would do. it is the state of kansas made a bad decision. there are a number of small towns around sumner county that are losing residents because of the lack of jobs in sumner county. "what is in the best interest of kansas." i dont think that means that towns like caldwell argonia south haven conway springs and others should end up as ghosttowns. this decision by the state may have just done that. a centrally located casino may not have generated as much revenue as the one on the segwick county line but if your the only game town. it is a whole better than what the state was getting in gaming revenues before.

Posted by: Larry Location: Mulvane on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:44 PM
Shelly Hansen maid a comment that she was ashamed to be from Kansas, if that is her problem, then maybe she should move to Oklahoma.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Shelley Hansel is ashamed to be a Kansan because of this? Maybe you should move, I sure wouldn't want you representing my town and saying this!

Posted by: msj Location: wellington on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Mulvane should thank Shelly, Vince and all of the residents of Wellington for their casino. Without them, there wouldn't be one in Sumner Co. How nice to reap the benefits without doing the legwork. Segwick county got it after all.

Posted by: Ann Location: Mulvane on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:22 PM
If Wellington was so in favor of a casino, where were the people to stand up for them at all the meeting. Funny that it took the last meeting to get the C of C and three people to show there support. Harrahs has had support from the very beginning.

Posted by: Alexis Location: Wellington on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:19 PM
So Wellington brought this entire thing up yet it is going to Mulvane? Repeating what others have said, here's the jist: The casino was to boost Sumner County, yet it is being placed right outside of Sedgwick's borders. Most of the supporters in Mulvane are WITHIN that Sedgwick County line, while a lot of farmers and landowners from Mulvane are actually OPPOSED to getting the casino. And also, Wellington's economy is ready to grow, Mulvane has already risen from "small town" status. So yes, Wellington is disappointed, and as a WHS student, so am I. I mean, who really needed to prosper and who had more to gain from all of this?

Posted by: JT Location: Wellington on Aug 22, 2008 at 09:06 PM
Economic dev. will happen for entire Co. with Harrah's vs. only Wellington? How? Because they said so? How will Sumner Co. benefit when majority of employees will live in Sedgewick, children of employees will attend Seg.Co. schools, any 'development' proposed around Mulvane site won't happen for MANY years, if ever..One thing is correct, Harrah's is the best at gaming, PLAYING GAMES! You think they will send their High Rollers to KS where gaming tax is higher so Harrah's makes less $ off gamblers when they have other properties where taxes are lower? Wellingtonites came together passionately, fighting start to finish for a casino CENTRALLY Located in the Co.that VOTED FOR the casino. Mulvaneidiots argued amongst themselves, stealing each other's signs, behaving like opposing cliques' in HSchool. Harrah's found most popular niaeve cheerleaders, threw them $,ugly green shirts, scripted letters and speaches schemed their way into race 4-3 vote says $ is valued over integrity,SAD DAY 4 KS!!

Posted by: betty Location: wichita ks. on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:24 PM
i was delighted that Mulvane won since we couldn't have one in Wichita. I can't wait. I thank the committee or whoever chose Mulvane.

Posted by: vote by the people Location: Wichita on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:16 PM
The believe the racing commission should all be fired. Its amazing how they can change the rules that the state legistlature put in place to follow. They failed to listen to the elected officials of sumner county on where they wanted the casino. It was clear from the start that sedgwick county didnt want it but its clear Harrah's scammed their way into the city of mulvane. Mulvane cant decide what county their even part of!! Whatever works for them at the time!!! Hope the county sues the them and the state for not representing the people. Long live the Constitition

Posted by: Linda Location: Belle Plaine on Aug 22, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Apparently, Wellington was so interested in the casino that NO ONE from their other than the C of C could bother to attend the meeting in Topeka, as opposed to 2 buses of supporters from Mulvane.

Posted by: Aaron Location: Wellington on Aug 22, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Its kinda funny that Mulvane can annex a site that is several miles outside of their city limits only because it is a money maker. But the funny thing is they wont even annex all of the mobile home parks that sit right on the outside of their limits, simply because they dont want to deal with the people there and let the sheriffs department deal with all of the headaches.

Posted by: Stunned Location: kansas on Aug 22, 2008 at 07:12 PM
You have 2 lawsuits, one for illegal annexation, one for not complying with a no compete contract, neighbors who don't want you, what do you have, the perfect place to "stick" a casino. If the Sumner county commission holds its guns, it will be 2012 and they will have to issue new requests for proposals, because money doesn't make an illegal action legal. harrahs has one of the worst reputations in the gaming industry. They always keep their word (well except that indian thing) nice job racing/gaming commission, it only goes to prove you have to be an idiot to work for the state.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 22, 2008 at 07:11 PM
So Satan I mean the Mafia won?

Posted by: Perry Wiley Location: Wellington on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:25 PM
I cann't believe the panel completely ingored the will of the majority in Sumner Co. Also, there is no way the difference in distance from Wichita to Well. will make as much of a difference in income as the board indicated in the comments. I will urge out commissioners to pursue the lawsuit to its conclusion. The skunks in Mulvane have no right to the Casino in their back yard and Harrah's is just as low life. If the truth be known, most of the support from Mulvane is in Sedgewick Co. This location will add only the minimal benifit to Sumner, the majority will go to Sedgewick. I thought the goal was to benifit the area economically, wich Wellington needs and that is why we sought this in the first place and fought so hard for. I am extremely dissappointed with the four board members who really screwed up.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:23 PM
Don't forget Harrah's has to pass "BackGround Check"so it's not final.

Posted by: dewey Location: wellington on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:20 PM
the people of wellington worked alot harder then mulvane on this. in my opinion looks like sedgwick county got their casino afer all. Theres some crooked things goin on and everyone knows it. It isnt over yet wellingtonites they still have Prairie Band Pottawatomi to deal with. Good luck with that Harrahs. None the less if it goes there i will still go to oklahoma thats a promise.

Posted by: Charlie Location: Newton on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Wellington got screwed. The people there worked for it, and Mulvane reaped the benefit. The lottery commission messed up big time, and I hope the tribe that brought the suit against Harrah's wins.

Posted by: Roy Location: Wichita on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:13 PM
I think by chosing the Mulvance location for the casino. was the best choise.

Posted by: Linda Location: Belle Plaine on Aug 22, 2008 at 06:03 PM
How much impact does it have upon your reporting that Shelly Hansel is a former employee of KAKE. Talk about a whiner! If the Sumner County Commission had done their job and endorsed all 4 propsals instead of picking the ones that padded their pockets the best, this would not have happened. Economic Development will occur for the entire county instead of just Wellington.

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