New Round for Lazy 8 Debate Wednesday

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…"

2006-08-21