Joe Drennan
Staff WriterWith the approval of the Columbus Township town board, the North Metro Harness Initiative's plans for a harness racing track/card room still need approval from the Minnesota State Racing Commission before NMHI can move forward and break ground.
At this point, NMHI's application for a Class A and Class B license is in the hands of the Minnesota State Racing Commission application committee. The advisory committee acts much the same way the planning commission did for the township in that it does a lot of the background work and presents it to the full commission.
The racing commission is still awaiting a financial report and background checks of NMHI's chief financial supporters and staff. Once the reports are in, the application committee will pass on their decision to the racing commission.
ìIt is very possible that what we pass on will not be a yes or no, rather a recommendation to the commission to consider the evidence we have,î racing commission and application committee Chair Darcy Hitesman stated.
Members of the Whoa Nelly! opposition group are hoping the racing commission will take their feelings into consideration when they make their decision. As the reports come in, the application committee has decided to hold special meetings as soon as possible so the whole process doesn't get drawn out any longer than it has to be.
ìThere is great sensitivity to the fact that the applicant has spent a lot of money making this application and out of fairness to the applicant, we don't want them spending any more money than they have to,î Hitesman said.
Hitesman said the racing commission is doing its best to stay bipartisan and evaluate all information without previous judgment.
ìI don't have a sense on where anybody other than myself sits on the application,îHitesman said. Not giving up their fight, the Whoa Nelly! opposition group has been writing letters and encouraged others to do the same to voice their concerns over the NMHI application.
ìWe did what we could do and thatís about all we can do so weíll just have to wait and see what their decision is,î Whoa Nelly! supporter Don Steinke said. ìIím glad that the racing commission is looking into things.î
Steinke said Whoa Nelly! still has concerns regarding traffic, infrastructure, the size of the facility and gambling.
ìI was impressed by the number of people at the racing commission public hearing in Columbus and the interest of the people not to mention the quality of their responses and how sincere they were,î Hitesman said. ìI understand this is an issue that affects their lives and where they live.î
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