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Local Religious Leaders May File Litigation Against Country Crossing Save Email Print
Posted: 6:14 PM Apr 17, 2008
Last Updated: 6:33 PM Apr 17, 2008
Reporter: Rhiana Huckins
Email Address: rhiana@wtvy.com

A | A | A

The Columbia Baptist Association was the only organization that spoke out against the Country Crossings project on Thursday.

D. Min. Jerry Grandstaff, director of Missions, says he and other concerned ministers feel they must keep fighting for biblical and social reasons.

Days after State Senator Harri Anne Smith pulled the plug on her fight against electronic bingo in the state legislature, some local religious leaders met to discuss their next plan of action.

"We are discussing with business leaders that have a concern about this as well and we're also working with the ACAP in Birmingham about the possibility of litigation," Grandstaff said.

Grandstaff would not say what businesses he's referring to, and he would not tell reporters the names of what he says are at least 10 other churches in Houston County who are involved in the fight.

The group says even though the county commission did not break the original law on charity bingo, they feel like elected officials usurped the original intent of the law.

"When there was a vote in 1994, and this is the opinion of the ministers, the citizens did not understand that what they did then could bring the possibility of this here today and that’s why we're not comparing apples to apples," Grandstaff continued.

Houston County Commission Chairman Mark Culver said, "That may be the case, but in fact, the vote was taken on bingo and the federal law says this is in fact bingo, and again, we believe what we've done is legal and we believe that a majority of the community is behind it."

Meanwhile, supporters of the Country Crossing project say they are still confident with the commission's decision.

On Saturday, April 19th, the first Country Crossing support rally will be held at the Dothan Convention Center.

The Alabama Citizens’ Action Program, the group out of Birmingham and Montgomery that Grandstaff is working with, is a Christian lobbying group.

The local religious leaders plan to meet in the next couple weeks to let the community know about their next plan of action.

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Posted by: BB Location: Daleville on Apr 18, 2008 at 07:03 PM
Wouldnt it be a shame if Dothan actually got put on the map!! What is wrong with the people of this area, why are you so afraid of something that could benefit all of us? As stated by others, If you don't want to play that is fine, no one is forcing you. Crime??? There will always be crime, electronic bingo will not cause that, you act as though this is going to be a little Las Vegas, the bingo is a VERY SMALL portion of Country Crossings. If you keep making an issue of this Mr. Gilley will take his business elsewhere, and we will all lose.

Posted by: Curtis Location: Dothan on Apr 18, 2008 at 03:27 PM
When will the business elitists and holy rollers stop all this nonsense. It is time for the community to get behind this project. Perhaps what we need to start discussing is why churces pay no taxes. Do the churches in the area want to commit collectively to contribute $2 million in charitable contributions plus create a 1000 or more jobs. When they commit to that I will start taking them seriously.

Posted by: Concerned Location: Dothan on Apr 18, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I never ceased to be amazed at all the Sunday Christians and everyday hippocrites that live in Dothan, Alabama. What really ranks these people is that they do not have any control and are not getting a piece of the pie. Give Dothan and Houston County what they want, give them jobs. Let us have Country Crossing. We will give you your church raffles, bake sales, etc.

Posted by: Citizen of Houston County Location: Houston County on Apr 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM
If you don't want it then don't play. Let the ones who do want it to have the freedom to play. You are worried that your members won't show up on Sunday morning because they are the ones who will be playing Bingo on Saturday night. Don't speak for the rest of us. We want Country Crossing and will support it all the way. This is the very reason why I am a Methodist. I will be at the rally to show my support and urge others to show up tomorrow at the new Dothan Convention Center located by the new Holiday Inn 1-5 PM.

Posted by: Bill Location: Enterprise on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Its morons like this that make Alabama the laughing stock of the nation. Same idiots that opposed the lottery while taking money from the Casino interests in Mississippi.

Posted by: Regina Location: Dothan, Alabama on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:34 AM
What are these people afraid of? Do they not see this as a hugh opportunity to contribute to the economic growth of SE Alabama? Hiding behind "biblical" and "social" reasons is ridiculous. If people choose not to play bingo, then don't play bingo. The benefits of a thing like Country Crossing coming to this part of the country far outweigh the negatives. Let's not ruin it for everybody else, folks.

Posted by: Jannell Location: Dothan Alabama on Apr 18, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I personally believe that all of these religious groups choose to step in when it's their choice too. Where were they when the dog tracks were opened, and when The Elks lodge and Shriners began their bingo. Where were they when strip joints opened up in towns and scratch off tickets being sold all over Alabama. It seems that someone has been picking and choosing certain scenarios to fight. Well lets just shut down all of those facilities, since they attend challanging the only great opportunity Houston County has seen in a great while. I think what really has them upset is their fingers won't be the ones controlling the events, but you can believe they will have their hand out when it's time too. I personally am ashamed of the way the all of the religious groups have behaved concerning this issue. Mr Gilley Dothan is proud of the future establishment, and I think they should all sit down and have a Coke and smile. God has given them all a new day to rejoice in.

Posted by: JIMMY Location: slocomb on Apr 18, 2008 at 09:59 AM
why dont we just pass a $500.00 surcharge per person on all churches to cover the cost of education shortages. then we would not need bingo the lottery or casinos. if this idea gains momentum i am sure the church pastors will decide bingo, lotteries and casinos are a great and needed thing.

Posted by: Linda Location: Dothan on Apr 18, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Why do so few feel they can dictate to so many is beyond me. We keep hearing how the electronic bingo is going to increase crime in our area. Well doesn't not having a job create crime? Poverty is the biggest reason for crime. Give the area jobs and then your crime should decrease. Christian leaders should preach from behind the pulpit. Do your job right and you shouldn't have to worry about your flock straying from the fold.

Posted by: Lonnie Location: Midland City on Apr 18, 2008 at 08:31 AM
I thought there was supposed to be a seperation of church and state!! These ministers need to let the elected officials of the county decide what is good or bad for bringing in revenue. I say they need to step out from behind their Bible Blanket and see if they can't help do something for their people here in their area. If they don't think the people their talking for, aren't going to Florida or Georgia to spend money on the lottery, they need to Wake Up! Try keeping some of that MONEY here in Alabama, for the betterment of our own communities!!!!!!!

Posted by: Debbie Location: Dothan on Apr 18, 2008 at 07:50 AM
People from Birmingham and Montgomery do not belong in ANY actions about Country Crossing. They do not live nor work here. Why the secrecy about our businesses and other churches that supposedly don't want Country Crossing here. Who is paying for these outsiders to be involved in the business of Dothan AND Houston county? Maybe a petition signed by everyone in Dothan and Houston county that wants the project here would stop all of this nonsence. The same groups do this everytime we get a chance for something new and positive for our area. Again I wonder where the money comes from for these invasions. Dothan wants something new, yall get in the car. Personaly I wish our elected officials could put out a yes box and a no box, with guards of course, let the people of Dothan know it's there for one day only and let us vote. But no this is to easy so lets drag out all the new voting laws that will not allow this simple solution. I PRAY the develepors have the time and patience to wait.

Posted by: Donice Location: Dothan, AL on Apr 18, 2008 at 05:32 AM
The Moral Majority is neither! Why must we let a few dictate the way the majority live, work and decide. Again, if Dothan can have Bingo (electronic or other) in one facility (Shriners club), why is there such opposition to Bingo anywhere else? Gambling is gambling, whether in Dotha/Houston County or elsewhere. This is a decision that should belong to the vote of the people of the community and county,not the decision of a couple of individuals trying to rule the lives of all. This is not a decision to be left up to those who call themselves religious, yet probably buy lottery tickets in Florida or elsewhere and probably have gone to Biloxi to try a hand at slots or played a friendly game of poker among buddies and other "church goers".

Posted by: Helen Location: wiregrass area on Apr 17, 2008 at 08:20 PM
I think they have a right to their opinion,but i think they need to stay out of this,they are not GOD.Birmingham and Montgomery did not try to suit because they have a dog track,slot machines why would they come here to stop a entertainment resort that has GOSPEL Dinner Theater in it

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