July 21-27, 2005

political notebook

Zoning In

by Mary F. Patel

Now that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has approved statewide gaming, potential slot-parlor operators have one major hurdle left to overcome.

Groups including Pennsylvanians Against Gaming Expansions, the Pennsylvania Family Institute and the League of Women Voters had filed a lawsuit claiming the state had exceeded its authority in approving gaming. The Court, however, didn't agree and validated the overall bill. But in doing so, the Court decided it was unconstitutional to take zoning authority for the facilities away from municipalities.

The initial bill gave site authority to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, (PGCB), a seven-member panel handpicked by Gov. Ed Rendell. Now, the zoning authority in each area that could become home to a parlor has jurisdiction. Mayor John Street was pleased by the decision.

"The mayor believes this is in the best interest of the city," says Street's consultant Dan Fee.

The fight, however, may continue. House Democratic Whip Michael Veon, a gaming proponent, has drafted a new bill that would return authority to the PGCB. The House is in recess for the summer, and Veon will use that time to hold public hearings in Harrisburg.

Spokesman Bob Caton says that Veon is concerned that local zoning board involvement may hold up the process.

"Rep. Veon's main concern is for those dollars generated from gaming to provide property tax relief," says Caton. "And if one zoning board holds a location up, then everything is held up."

Only 14 gaming licenses will be issued to gaming owners by PGCB and they will all be awarded at the same time. One of the conditions for licensing is that the licensee must have secured a location.

Not all Democrats are betting on Veon.

State Sen. Vincent Fumo's spokesperson, Gary Tuma, says Fumo supported the original provision allowing PGCB site control but would now have to revisit the issue.

Gambling opponents support the local zoning boards' authority because local boards tend to favor the community, and local activists will show up in full force at the zoning hearings. Many zoning decisions get appealed and resolution could take years.

Running Sandals

Center City attorney Alan Sandals announced last week that he will run in the Democratic primary for Republican Rick Santorum's U.S. Senate seat next year.

The 51-year-old Philadelphia resident said he will focus on energy policy and the loss of manufacturing jobs in the state.

"I can see in the very near future where oil will cost $100 a barrel," said Sandals, "which will be tough for people of modest means."

Sandals, whose practice focuses on pension and medical benefits, realizes that he is an underdog against state Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. , who has the support of Rendell and a lot of Democratic bigwigs.

"It is a gigantic challenge," he admitted, "but most Americans want to see Rick spend more time with his kids."

The 2006 Democratic primary now includes Sandals, Casey and Chuck Pennacchio, a history and political science professor at the University of the Arts.

A Gay Old Time

Tourism dollars poured into the city last weekend thanks to two major gay and lesbian confabs. The 11th Annual Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF) and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) Annual Mid-Atlantic Weekend brought slews of visitors here.

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Group (GPTMC) is continuing their nationwide marketing campaign targeted to gays and lesbians. Their slogan is Philadelphia – Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay. GPTMC spokesman Jeff Guaracino says that for every advertising dollar spent, the city gets $153 in direct spending from each gay or lesbian tourist.

Eric Hegedus, national president of NLGJA, said that the journalists enjoyed their visit.

WXPN producer and host Robert Drake proposed a whole weekend here for this year's event. Events on the local, New York and Washington journalists' schedule included a reception at the new bistro, Lula's, at 12th and Locust streets, films at PIGLFF and brunch at Sole Food in the Loews Hotel.

PIGLFF brought in hundreds of actors, directors and producers for 12 days.

Last weekend, TLA Entertainment Group managing editor Erik Schut had the daunting responsibility of escorting gay porn stars Dean Phoenix, Marcus Iron and Owen Hawk from the film Exposed: The Making of a Legend, a documentary about the making of the cowboy sex film, Buckleroos. The boys had a busy weekend that started with dinner at Davio's prior to the screening, which was followed by a hip party at the loft of designer Bryan Hoffman. Also in attendance there was Queer as Folk star Peter Paige, who flew from Los Angeles to receive the festival's first Gay Icon Award, and actor Craig Chester. Partygoers later hit the nightclub, Pure.

Lots of bucks were spent Sunday while the boys shopped on Walnut Street, had drinks at the Four Seasons and dinner at Buddakan.