Adjust Text Size
For Immediate Release
April 19, 2010
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Senator Richard Alloway II
April 19, 2010 Op-ed piece

On any given day, there are many significant issues confronting the 33rd Senatorial District.  When I ran for office, I pledged to be a good listener to the people of my district, a Senator with both an open door and an open mind, willing to hear from all parties to develop positions that I advocate for and fight for when necessary in Harrisburg.

I never said that I would try to tell my constituents how they should feel about an issue that directly impacts them , or – worse yet in my mind – dictate to them a position of mine on a subject in which they were directly and emotionally involved.

I have been consistent with this approach, and it has been well received.  It has allowed me to build consensus with, among others, fraternal groups, sportsmen associations, veterans' organizations, non-profits, chambers of commerce, and economic development agencies.

So it came as a surprise recently when a local newspaper was unhappy that I would not change this approach and weigh in on what is an extremely sensitive and locally emotional issue: whether or not a casino should be located in Cumberland Township, Adams County.

Do I have personal thoughts on this issue?  Absolutely.  Does it serve any good purpose to express them at this particular point in time?  Absolutely not.

My approach to issues since I have been elected has demonstrated my deep respect for the people who elected me.  I firmly believe that government works best when policy decisions are driven from everyday citizens up to the state government, not pushed down from the state to the local level.

If this were not the case, I would be advocating positions on all sorts of issues within my district in an attempt to exert the influence of my office.  For example:  Where to locate a new county courts building?  Should a township consider enacting zoning?  Should a borough and a township consolidate their police departments?  These are issues decided by the local people who are affected.

The issue of casino zoning was voted on by the Cumberland Township supervisors in March.  It was a 4 to 0 vote, and I support the process used by supervisors.  The issue has not yet been voted on by the Adams County Commissioners, but I trust they will engage in an open and thoughtful debate, as did the township.

As a State Senator, I have voted on every issue that has come before me, including gambling, and will continue to do the same.  But on this specific issue, that time has come and gone.  It is now being considered by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board – an independent agency.  The regulations surrounding gambling and casino location are complex and sensitive.  In order to carry out my duty as a Senator, I must be mindful of the rules and regulations that govern the process.

Do I have an opinion?  Of course.  Is it appropriate and helpful to have my opinion expressed as a headline in the local newspaper?  I think not.  Could a member of the Gaming Board think that I was trying to use the local media to sway their decision one way or the other by stating my opinion?  I believe so.  Am I being too cautious in order that a fair and open process be allowed to unfold without political meddling?  You decide.  But trying to influence, yes even by responding to a reporter's question, the specific location of any of the casinos now proposed is, I believe, out of bounds.

More importantly, by doing so, I believe that would be going against my promise to the people of my district that their view and opinions matter to me and that I would work to best represent them in Harrisburg.

As an attorney, I am sworn to uphold the law.  As an elected official, I am pledged to represent people – all the residents of the 33rd District.  As a result, I will not attempt to co-opt the authority of an independent board's decision making, nor will I presume to tell local residents how they should feel about the issue.

What I will do is hold the Gaming Control Board accountable for an open, fair, and ethical process as they make a decision.  This issue is far too important and if their decision does impact the 33rd District, I will stand ready to work with the affected jurisdictions in any way that they believe will be helpful.

Senator Richard Alloway II