Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 3, 1993 TAG: 9301030146
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CITIES RACING TO BE 1ST
Officials from next-door neighbors Portsmouth and Chesapeake are acting less than neighborly as the localities compete for the state's first thoroughbred race track.Portsmouth officials, who have been trying to lure a track for nearly a year, have accused Chesapeake of bad-mouthing Portsmouth to potential investors. Chesapeake officials deny it, and have launched broadsides of their own.
"They're making remarks like we're crime-ridden and not safe to go through," said Portsmouth Mayor Gloria Webb. "We talk about regionalism, and I think it's highly unethical for one city to lambaste another."
Chesapeake Councilman Arthur L. Dwyer accused Portsmouth of acting like a sore loser.
"They want a situation where no one is in competition with them," Dwyer said. "They're being a bit of a sore loser in this case. It's not as if anyone is publicly bad-mouthing them. We don't need to."
The proposed multimillion-dollar race track could bring thousands of jobs, millions of dollars in tax revenue and more money in tourism and spinoff industries.
Officials in Portsmouth say their cash-strapped city needs the track more but say they don't want to sling mud.
"It's dirty pool," said Portsmouth Councilman John H. Epperson. "I won't stoop to that level. But if we wanted to stoop, we could have sent certain [newspaper] articles about a certain mayor [David O. Wynne] who was forced out of office. . . . But we're too kind and gentle."
Bad-mouthing or not, both cities are in the lead among a dozen localities hoping to land the track. Potential track investors like the Hampton Roads area for its large population base, transportation access and lack of competition from other major sports franchises.
Track promoters also are looking at New Kent County, near Richmond.
Joseph A. De Francis, president of the Maryland Jockey Club, which encompasses Laurel and Pimlico race courses, has made a preliminary commitment to pursue a track in New Kent on land that is being offered free by the Chesapeake Corp.
Also, Arnold Stansley, president of Ohio's Raceway Park, said he is talking with private developers in New Kent but indicated he also wants to look at Portsmouth.
Stansley likely will become the first investor to submit a track application to the Virginia Racing Commission if he can meet his own late-January timetable.
But officials of Churchill Downs, the world-famous Kentucky track and one of the most serious potential investors, have expressed interest in Portsmouth. A group led by William M. Camp Jr. of Franklin is working closely with Churchill Downs, and looking closely at Portsmouth and Chesapeake.
"Personally I'd sure as go to Portsmouth," Camp said. He added, however, "I think it'll be one of those two places, Chesapeake or Portsmouth. It just depends on if we can get land at a price."
Portsmouth has offered a 623-acre site, while Chesapeake has offered a 300-acre site.
Keywords:
HORSE RACING