THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 16, 1994 TAG: 9410140255
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: Long : 209 lines
For the proponents of a race track in Portsmouth, hope sprang eternal - until mid-morning Wednesday. Prior to the announcement, people involved in the idea of hosting the state's sole race track, and/or courting the Virginia Racing Commission agreed to comment after the decision.
WHAT SEEMED TO BE forever ended in Richmond on Wednesday. We sat waiting in the crowded courtroom, waiting for the racing commissioners to enter and assume their seats. We were full of anxiety and expectation. Suddenly, all that had been happening so slowly concluded in the wink of an eye: the race track had been awarded to New Kent County.
We were numb.
It took several hours to sink in that we were not to have the race track. It will take much longer to regroup, but we wish to share some thoughts and feelings.
Why weren't we selected? This occurred for what we believe were a number of factors but primarily, while we firmly believe we had the strongest bid and that Portsmouth offered the best location, we were defeated by the inability of Hampton Roads to rally behind one site.
We went to Richmond with two applications from our region; we went divided. Thus weakened, we took on the formidable, influential and very biased Northern Virginia mindset. While Northern Virginia didn't have a truly competitive bid of their own, it was able to exert its influence, its bias, to exclude Hampton Roads. Northern Virginia grudgingly would accept only a compromise - the race track in New Kent County. Divided, Hampton Roads was unable to use its loudest voice; Hampton Roads was unable to forcefully defend, promote and properly market our region.
Though we did not succeed, we came away with priceless gifts of insights into ourself. First, we now know without doubt that Portsmouth can go up against the ``big boys.'' We have a lot to offer. We never should feel afraid. In fact, in this regard our bid was viewed as stronger than that of our larger and more powerful sister city (Virginia Beach) and the big name track (Churchill Downs).
Second, Portsmouth's impressive effort resulted from all of us transcending petty self-imposed boundaries. We moved together - one voice, one heart - in perfect harmony. We achieved unmatched momentum with a common belief that we had what it takes - with the common goal of securing the race track. We were focused; we should have had the thing.
We believe there will be a next time. We should watch for it and move again.
It was a long, well-executed campaign. With deep appreciation and sincere thanks, we wish to recognize the Virginia Racing Associates. They shared our faith and courageously came to the front and told all Virginia that Portsmouth was the best. We thank and recognize the hundreds upon hundreds of private individuals, civic leaders and city officials, the scores of business and other organizations both in Portsmouth and throughout the region who stood steadfast and freely contributed the supportive energy that sustained and made our effort possible. We need to make special mention of a few individuals and groups. First, our friend Tate Buchanan, who gave wings to Portsmouth's effort. His death left a void that cannot be filled by any other. There was only one Tate and we have missed him. Gloria Webb, our mayor, Johnny Clemons (no grass under his feet - he ran with it!), Jim Martin (very sharp thinker!), Wayne Orton, Steve Herbert, Matthew James, Elizabeth McCroury, Mike Blachman, Ward Robinett, Mo Whitlow, Jasper Fogleman, Lonnie Staylor, Dan Swanson, Richard Harrison, John Stone, the entire Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Portsmouth Partnership, the Portsmouth City Council, Betty Jo Gwaltney and, perhaps the best for last, Jack Lilienthal and the firefighters (our secret service!).
In closing, while we believe we were the best, we wish New Kent County every success. They worked hard and are an extraordinarily fine group of people.
Laurie Gellman
Pat and Arden Pfeiffer
Randy Butler
Shelley and John Childs
Jim and Marcia Walsh
Nancy and Neal LeMartin
Friends of Racing Hampton Roads
WHEN I WAS FIRST elected to the Portsmouth City Council in 1990, the largest economic development project on the city manager's agenda was the Children's Museum. Now, some five years later the Children's Museum will be a reality Dec. 10. But, in between those two great events, my election to the City Council and the completion of the Children's Museum, some other great event happened. I was given a seed, a thought, an idea, that if planted in the fertile soil of political correctness and watered with the atmosphere of heavy political lobbying and a sincere desire to win, this, too, also could be a reality in Portsmouth. The thought, the seed, the idea; a thoroughbred race track in Portsmouth.
The day was Friday, Nov. 29, 1991, the day after Thanksgiving. We were sitting down at the dinner table with a cup of coffee and homemade cake. The Virginia Thoroughbred Association was about to celebrate its 50th anniversary and literature about thoroughbred horses and race tracks were the order of the day.
We were at the home of Dr. Michael D. and Laurie A. Gellman. Then Laurie started to speak. She said: ``It is possible for us to have a race track in Portsmouth; the city has the demographic profile we need to be successful.''
I have never heard of anything so strange and foreign to my ears in my life, yet it was exciting, stimulating and refreshing for Portsmouth. Portsmouth! A race track, in Portsmouth? I was stunned, shocked, yet so very moved by the dialogue.
Laurie then went on to name all the contacts she had made and information she had gathered. I was thoroughly impressed and I told her so. From that moment on, and such a humble beginning, came the ``Friends of Racing Hampton Roads.''
Laurie then started to explain that from the information and data that she had gathered, that there were five things needed for a successful race track in Virginia: a population base of 1.5 million people within a 50-mile radius; an available work force; access to available water, land and location; existing transportation facilities; and the logistics of the highway systems already in place to the large population that most likely would support the track.
Once we began discussing the demographics of our city, it all started to come together for me. Realizing that Portsmouth is sitting at the heart of a newly completed interstate system, with the surrounding cities Portsmouth has within 25 miles of its center, 1.5 million people and a 5-percent unemployed trainable work force and a surplus of 5 million gallons of water per day.
I saw the vision and I truly got excited. After 30 minutes, I was hooked, and I was off and running.
Two weeks later, we were walking and talking on the streets of Portsmouth with petitions in hand to get a feel from the public about the idea and if they would support the issue of pari-mutuel betting in Portsmouth on the ballot for the upcoming May 1992 election.
We had the fever and the race was on. From those early days until now a lot of other people have become very interested in horses in Portsmouth and racing in Virginia. The rest, they say is history!
Now we see that is not the case at all.
With the announcement made with respect to New Kent County, all it seems to really take is 1,000 free acres of land and ``perks.'' Nevertheless, Portsmouth will move forward and onward. This has been a good effort on the part of a lot of good people. Thank you all. This process has brought our city together in many ways that will benefit us for a long time to come.
May God continue to bless our city.
Johnny M. Clemons
Vice Mayor
IT IS DISAPPOINTING to learn that the application to locate the race track in Portsmouth was not selected. In addition to the revenue generated, the track would have brought visitors to the city to see other attractions and to learn that this is a good place to live.
Even though the application was not successful, positive steps have taken place. This effort brought together private citizens, business and civic leaders. A renewed emphasis on economic development has been generated. Good publicity about Portsmouth has gone across the country.
Tate Buchanan was one of the citizens and civic leaders who realized the potential of the race track and worked to bring about the consensus of support.
Now we must maintain the momentum that has been developed and re-direct the efforts to other positive goals for the city.
Jim Martin
Chamber of Commerce member, city councilman
THE DECISION TO AWARD the race track license to New Kent County defies all logic. Why would an application with a site that is inconvenient to two major metropolitan areas, with an out-of-state operator, and with a financial plan that will rely on the sale of junk bonds be chosen over two Hampton Roads applications that seemed to be far superior?
The answer is that New Kent County was a political compromise. It was the least troublesome choice for the Northern Virginia-biased commission that could not accept the seriously flawed application from Prince William County.
Hampton Roads residents will take some consolation in the fact that - if they pack a lunch - they can still get to a race track. Portsmouth residents can be proud of the wonderful and truly remarkable public-private effort they put forth in this long and arduous campaign. We will benefit and will be the better for having ``gotten our act together'' and playing at the ``varsity level'' in this state competition.
As the city looks at the exciting initiatives in front of it today, including a new economic development plan to take us into the 21st century, and consideration of some very important plans for the former race track site, we will feel much more confident about our long-term success knowing that the organization resources we applied to the race track are there to participate and help.
The Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Portsmouth Partnership, City Hall, and many civic organizations (The Friends of Racing) and civic leagues all got involved in the effort and worked in a wonderfully positive and productive way, demonstrating that Portsmouth can compete with any city for important economic development projects and, just as important, that Portsmouth can put a plan in place to guarantee its future as a great American city.
Steve Herbert
Department of Economic Development
I AM VERY PROUD of the job performed by Matthew James, Steve Herbert and the other members of the city's Economic Development team in their efforts to bring the horse race track to Portsmouth. They were very thorough in preparing the application and I believe they did all they could to demonstrate to the Virginia Racing Commission that Portsmouth was the best location.
Although the commission selected another site, and we all are disappointed, we know we have the team that will find other opportunities and bring them to Portsmouth.
The members of the Portsmouth Partnership supported this project and will continue to be supportive of the city's economic development efforts.
Junius Williams
Portsmouth Partnership ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by PAUL AIKEN
On the Cover: The disappointment with the announcement that New Kent
County would get the state's only horse race track is reflected in
the sullen face of City Manager Wayne Orton.
City officials were smiling with optimism before the announcement
was made. From left are Steve Herbert, with the economic development
department; Wayne Orton, city manager; and Matthew James, economic
development director.
KEYWORDS: HORSE RACING RACE TRACK
by CNB