Country Crossing rally brings stars to Dothan
Jaime Foxx
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By Debbie Ingram
Published: January 6, 2009
A weekend rally to show support for Country Crossing will bring NFL stars, an Academy Award-winning actor and various country music entertainers to Dothan in what Ronnie Gilley is calling a mini BamaJam concert.
And it’s all free.
Oscar winning actor, comedian, and singer Jamie Foxx, country music legend Travis Tritt, recent Kennedy Center honoree George Jones and country music newcomer Jake Owen are all expected to take the stage during the 3 p.m. rally Saturday at Rip Hewes Stadium.
Tritt is expected to give a lengthy concert, based on his repertoire of hits. Owen, whose debut album in 2006 produced three hits, will also perform. Gilley said supporters can expect a “special surprise” Saturday from Foxx, which could include his singing of his current hit “Just Like Me.”
Gilley, who first proposed Country Crossing last February, has organized the rally after Gov. Bob Riley put together an anti-gambling task force that will look at the legality of electronic charitable bingo. Country Crossing is multi-million dollar country music entertainment complex with a bingo hall. It is being built on U.S. 231 south of Dothan.
“What we hope this rally accomplishes is a show of a united front,” Gilley said Tuesday. “People are coming together to support a great project. These are people from all demographics, rich and poor – a true representation of the community.
“With what has happened nationally with last year’s presidential election, people obviously want change. We want a broad audience Saturday and Jamie Foxx pulls from a broad demographic.”
Gates will open at 2:30 p.m.
Gilley Enterprises vice president of operations Billy Graham met with Dothan police and the fire marshal Tuesday, as the group sought to find the most accommodating spot for the rally. Originally, the plan was to have the rally at the Dothan Civic Center, but the facility is hosting the Dothan Eagle Bridal Show on Sunday and vendors and sponsors use Saturday to set up.
Graham said the stadium ends up being a better site anyway because it can accommodate more people. While the seating capacity at Rip Hewes is estimated at about 10,000, opening up he field puts the maximum capacity at close to 20,000, Graham said.
“We will allow as many people in as we can get in,” Gilley said.
Extra security is being provided and no tickets are being issued. Gilley said there will be a special reserved section for “supporters who have been with us from day one.”
In order to get the attention of the governor and members of the Legislature who could be faced with a bingo vote in the future, Gilley said he did consider having the rally in the Montgomery area, but decided against it.
“It’s a different environment up there and we didn’t want the governor to dig his heels in. This is a show of community support,” he said.
The only unknown factor is the weather. Current National Weather Service forecasts call for sunny skies and a high of 68 degrees.
“I would be real shocked if we didn’t pack the place out,” Graham said.
Washington Redskins tackle Cornelius Griffin, a two-time All American for the University of Alabama, will also be on hand. Other NFL starters who are not involved in playoff games, and are friends with Foxx, may also attend, Graham said.
There will also be concessions for the event, provided by the City of Dothan’s Department of Leisure Services.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( Ronnie Gilley ) on January 12, 2009 at 11:12 pm
eskimo270….Once again you’re mis-representing facts. I’m sure it’s not intentional though. However, we’ve never had a support rally at the Dothan Civic Center. In fact there’s only been one other rally period, aside from the one this past weekend. It was held at the Dothan Convention Center not Civic Center and my friend that one was MAX-capacity. Standing room only. It was held by citizens of Houston County….not me. I was just asked to speak. You did get one thing right…Dr. Smitke was there. He too spoke and delivered an incredible message. Just wish I would have listened closer.
Please, I don’t mind you attacking me, just try to get your facts straight when doing so.
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Posted by ( RuckFiley ) on January 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Pockets that was sooooooo perfect !!
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Posted by ( pocketsmcgraw ) on January 11, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Um, Mr. Eskimo sir, I think that you meant to say it was held at the Dothan Convention Center and there were at least a couple of thousand people in attendance. Time to upgrade that old Apple Commodore. Seems to be experiencing SynTax ErroRs.
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Posted by ( eskimo270 ) on January 08, 2009 at 2:57 pm
did my computer type this in another language? i did not recall saying that i did not support a vote in fact bring it on! and let me remind you that the last and ONLY time that mr.gilley has held a cc support rally occured at the dothan civic center, no stars, no concerts, no bling, just a cc rally and by the way NO people! did you say we need protection from ignorant people like you? you said it i didn’t. p.s. dr. schmitke was at that rally i am not sure if he is a star or not
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Posted by ( joft ) on January 08, 2009 at 12:34 am
Go to the Middle East? Russia? What does that have to do with Dothan and electronic bingo. It seems that very few people in the wiregrass area object to the Country Crossing. It is the Gambling that is a problem. Not the bingo either. If there were 1500 blue haired ladies sitting with their cards and markers, I would have no objection. If the church or VFW can do it why not Ronnie Gilley? Do not be mistaken! That is not what will happen with electronic bingo. Can anyone track 200 cards? The machine can if it is limited like in Texas. Or 600 cards if it not limited. Call it up on the net. Read and study. Make a valid decision on this kind of gambling. AND STOP CALLING OTHER PEOPLE NAMES.
After being surrounded by gaming most of my life, I took Philosophy 101 in school, La Tech. LOGIC. It included the odds of chance at the various casino games. I have never gambled since. It is wrong. It is a fool’s game. I am not a christian, I do not say any of this for “moral” reasons. And if this is good for Houston county, “LET THEM VOTE ON IT”.
JOFT
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Posted by ( makitaman60@gmail.com ) on January 07, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I think I’ll just hang around here and save my money and let the middle east come here. When you get old enough to go in a casino you’ll know what I’m talking about, I really think the people that have worked hard all their life in this area don’t want to see this.The ones that really want it are either invested in the project or think they are going to benifit from it personally.I promise you it is not going to be nothing like were being told, you and me both know who is going to be the winners in this.Do you think Coffee County is sad about this project being moved to Houston County?The people of Houston county are just now seeing what Coffee County seen a long time ago.This project will cost our county (Houston) Thousands of Dollars maybe miilions before this project is thru, yes in time they may start to see a return on their loss.When I’m say a loss I’m mean eveything.Houston County has several events thru out the year one to mention is the Peanut Festival do think this will not take away from this event, this event is based on the local farmers and families that were raised here over the past.The Peanut Festival will be a thing of the past after a few years of CC being opened.There is alot of thinking that needs to be played out here, the Country is on the blink of bankrupt.Now for the guy that is still dreamimg about hitting it big on a Bingo machine sorry to break this to you the odds are not in your favor.Sorry if I have hurt someones feelings but face the true facts.
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Posted by ( isthatgas ) on January 07, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Hey Doc,
Ever hear of the National Impact Gambling Study Commission? The one at the top, as you say, that paid the most, was YOU and ME. It was paid for by Congress. It took about 2 years. It used real data and real researchers. Harvard, University of Chicago, National Science Academy, etc…..
Like you said, academia looks online, and there it is. Available to all. It is a tough read, several thousand pages, but what you will find there isn’t what you are preaching. The whole package was put together by the anti-gaming crowd in DC. They were going to prove once and for all that same argument you are making is TRUE…...It backfired. What they found was that gaming HAD a POSITIVE impact on communities that were not saturated. That the jobs created were above average in pay and benefits. That the arguments about crime, addiction and bankruptcy were just NOT statistically sound.
Lets talk about job creation. You say 50 jobs is really all CC will create. Victoryland in Macon County, which will likely be comparable in size (the gaming portion) employees several hundred people. How will CC get away with so few? I understand the people in the Wiregrass are hard working, but they don’t have superpowers do they? I’m asking, your the doc. And your calculation doesn’t take into account the retail, entertainment, housing construction or food and beverage outlets. I’m guessing CC may be the largest employer in the Wiregrass when complete.
If you wanna talk facts, don’t bring a knife to a gunfight, go get the real data. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission - look at the final report, then take two aspirin and blog us in the morning.
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Posted by ( HDK ) on January 07, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I think you are flat out wrong Eskimo. People in Houston County would vote CC in overwhelmingly if only given the opportunity. If you think not, then why not support a ballot initiative and let the people speak. You might be vindicated. Or you might be shown for the very narrow world-view that you hold. As for the rally where they dimmed the lights… Yeah, i was there. It was called BamaJam and they were really ashamed that only 125,000 people showed up and PAID to show their support. I bet your side could get three times that many folks on a Tuesday! Eskimo, I have to admit, you just gave me the best laugh I’ve had all day!!!! Sounds like you would complain about a free hundred dollar bill because the corner was wrinkled. Please promise me Eskimo that you want spend all of your money at CC when it opens. You have a family to think about and mouths to feed. I’m certain that you don’t have enough intelligence to visit CC and also juggle your finances. WAIT! Country Crossing is only for poor, dumb folks who don’t know how to handle their own money. What you should do Eskimo is invest your money in Bob & Rob so they can protect you from all us ignorant poor people.
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Posted by ( eskimo270 ) on January 07, 2009 at 4:24 pm
mr.gilley says the gambling aspect is such a small part of country crossing yet the whole project hinges on the gambling. something does not sound right. my gut feeling is we will never see the whole project and the thousands of jobs.and by the way the majority of houston county residents do not support cc in particular the gambling. the lottery was voted down by us by around 70% and i feel this will meet the same fate. it appears that the cc supporters are trying to manipulate the appearance of support by bringing the “stars” here. let me remind you of the last rally they had where they had to dim the lights to keep you from seeing the dozen of people there.
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Posted by ( DoctorT ) on January 07, 2009 at 3:00 pm
One last time then I have to go,
“Posted by ( helmsce ) on January 07, 2009 at 12:19 pm ...... since you feel the way you do about electronic bingo, just don’t go. It is your right not to participate. I’m sure nobody will twist any of your arms to take part.“
Simply, because the decision to bring gambling into our area effects us all. No one will be detached from the implications of the bad economic policy that the Houston County Commission and mr. Gilley has put in.
Like I said before and must repeat, I’m all for CC! Just not the gambling part for pure economic reasons.
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