Wednesday, July 18, 2001   LAND-BASED CASINOS This Sleepy Mississippi River Town Is Getting A Wake-up Call

LA GRANGE, Mo. -- The Missouri Gaming Commission expects more than 12,000 people and 6,000 vehicles to descend on La Grange each week after the Mark Twain Casino opens in June. That's more visitors than La Grange, a town of 1,100 residents about 30 miles south of the Iowa border, used to get in a year. While the influx of visitors should do wonders for the local economy, Gaming Commission officials are warning town leaders to be ready to provide adequate emergency services. Otherwise, a gaming license won't be issued to the casino. "Anytime you increase vehicular traffic, anytime you increase the number of people in a given area, issues arise that necessitate public safety: fire, ambulance and police services," said Clarence Green, enforcement manager for the Gaming Commission. "Our purpose is to see that that infrastructure is in place at the time the casino is ready to open." Steve Johnson, the commission's deputy director of enforcement, said some of the visitors are bound to cause trouble. "Casinos that operate in Missouri have not seen a dramatic increase in crime," Johnson said. "It hasn't happened, and its not going to happen. But you can rest assured that arrests are going to be made." La Grange officials plan to double the five-man police force by June to provide the necessary law enforcement protection and to handle the increased traffic flow. The police department budget is expected to double as well, to around $500,000 annually. Fire Chief Greg Heindselman has requested a thermal imaging camera, a new computer system and some additional training materials, all of which will cost about $17,000. Some concerns have been raised over the adequacy of the already-crowded Lewis County Jail in nearby Monticello, the primary holding facility for anyone arrested in La Grange. Johnson said the city and county need to work out an adequate plan prior to the casino's opening. The casino is expected to generate an additional $1.8 million in annual tax revenue for La Grange, and another $500,000 per year for the town's share of the boarding fee paid by casino patrons. The casino also will give the city $200,000 annually for the first five years for public service improvements. The first installment has already been paid. Tentative plans call for the casino to operate from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the closing hour extended to 4 a.m. on weekends. The Mark Twain will be the first casino in northeast Missouri. La Grange will be the smallest town in Missouri with a gambling boat. Top of Page