More Than Slots In Gambling Bill

State Speaker of the House John Perzel is reported to be ready to introduce legislation to legalize gambling in the state. That gambling would include riverboat casinos, casinos at other locations, keno and slot machines other than at racetracks, which have been the concentration thus far.

Slot machines at the racetracks have not been approved yet, but it is likely to be approved by the legislature. Gov. Ed Rendell supports the slot machines. Since Perzel comes from the eastern part of the state, where Atlantic City, N. J., attracts so many Pennsylvania gamblers, he is under plenty of pressure to do something about gambling.

The talk of riverboat casinos will attract attention here because this would be an ideal location. The Sassafras Street pier is still wide open, since the ship there now can be easily moved. We doubt if the owners would try to convert the ship to a casino, but they must be aware of the possibility. Their agreement with the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority has been cancelled, so they would have to start all over again.

It is going to be difficult to get the vote to legalize all forms of gambling. It would be easier in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh than the rest of the state, which is more conservative. The opponents of the bill will be gambling interests in New Jersey, bingo operators and lottery officials. They will put up plenty of money to defeat legalized gambling.

Nearby out-of-state casinos in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Ontario are other interests that obviously want to continue getting Pennsylvania dollars.



It came as no surprise when state Auditor General Robert P. Casey Jr. filed with the Department of State a political committee registration statement announcing that he was going to run for state treasurer in 2004. Casey, who lost to Gov. Rendell in the primary election in 2002, will be tough to beat. The filing allows him to begin raising and spending funds for the treasurer campaign in 2004.

Erie's Craige Pepper Root is one of the Republicans seeking the nomination to run against Casey. ...Randy Gehrlein told us this week that both his father and mother, A.J. "Jake" and Helen Gehrlein, are doing quite well. "Jake" is the former county controller. ... There are four developers seeking the sixth thoroughbred racing track in the Pittsburgh area. This would be the final thoroughbred racetrack in the state.

Hopefully the racetrack in Summit Township will be under construction before too much longer. Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, W. Va., has been granted the track license, if the court approves. The track in Chester has slot machines and does very well with them. ...Dr. John Petrus, D.P.M., was a friend for the past 50 years. He was amazing the way he got around, even in his 80s.

John was 91 when he died Monday at Hamot Medical Center. He was living at Sunrise Assisted Living at Presque Isle Bay. He was a member of the Erie School Board for 26 years until 1991. He was a podiatrist for years. We offer our sympathy to his daughter Beverly Aldridge and her husband, Jim, of Corona, Calif., on his passing. Although he has been living quietly the past several months, he was still on top of things. We have fond memories of time spent with him over the years on the golf course and socially.



That was an impressive tribute f or former Millcreek resident Ryan E. Cappelletty, 23, who was slain in the line of duty May 28 in Chesterfield County, Va., after being a policeman for less than six months. He had a most promising career in police work ahead of him. Approximately 500 people showed up for the memorial service at the Shrine Club Tuesday. Sixty-one of Cappelletty's fellow police officers from Chesterfield County were on hand.

There were police from other cities as well. ... We offer our sympathy to the family of F. George Makarewicz, 75, of Wesleyville, who died Monday. He was retired from Hammermill Paper Co. His wife of 44 years, Mary Ann, is retired from the Times Publishing Company.