Tuesday, August 22, 2006

As reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal: "The hotly debated plan for the
Lazy 8 casino heads to Sparks City Council on Wednesday as developers move
forward on their plans for the Pyramid Highway project. "The hotel, casino
and movie theater plan from Peppermill casinos and developer Harvey
Whittemore has brought opposition from citizens and major casinos during the
past two years. "Most recently, both sides have pushed their agenda through
advertisements, which themselves have become controversial. "The casino
opposition group, Citizens for a Better Sparks, is inappropriately
advertising a political message without properly registering as a state
political action committee, developers say. "Those complaints follow an
ethics complaint against a councilman whose campaign consultant now
represents the Lazy 8. "The bickering follows changes in Sparks law enacted
in January that require casinos to have hotel rooms and restrict casinos to
the Victorian Square and Truckee River area. The new rules were spurred by
the Lazy 8 plans. Developers contend they have the right to build Lazy 8 at
Pyramid and La Posada Drive, and hope the five council members agree
Wednesday at the special meeting for the request. ".Wednesday's meeting is
likely a precursor to a court battle, with the losing side expected to sue
over the council's decision."