Locals eager to hear final casino decision

After months of waiting, Ford County residents will find out today who will develop and manage the county's state-owned casino.
    Two companies, the Olathe-based Butler National Service Corp. and the Wichita-based Dodge City Resort and Gaming, are competing for the right to run a state-owned resort-style casino in Dodge City.
    The two companies have each proposed building an Old West-themed casino with at least 800 slot machines and 20 table games to start, plus a hotel and other amenities. Butler wants to build the Boot Hill Casino and Resort complex on the western outskirts of town, next to U.S. Highway 50, while Dodge City Resort and Gaming's casino would be built near the northeast edge of town.
    The Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board will select the winning developer today in Topeka.
    The prospect of having a destination-style casino in Ford County pleased Dodge City resident Jeri Trisler, who said she has waited a long time for this day. She said she thought either developer would be good for the community, but she favored Butler's proposal because it offered more room for expansion and increased opportunities for shopping and recreation.
    "I love both proposals," Trisler said. "It's wonderful. I'm so glad we're getting it in Dodge City."
    Other people also backed Butler's proposal, either because they liked the location or thought the company's plan would be better for the community.
    Self-Image Salon owner and stylist Denise Goertzen said she was impressed with the work that Boot Hill Gaming President Jeff Thorpe had put into bringing a casino to Dodge City.
    "He's considered Dodge City in the casino," Goertzen said. "What the casino  is doing will benefit Dodge City, and that's what I think Jeff is doing."
    Thorpe's organization has formed a partnership with Butler on the Boot Hill Casino and Resort proposal.
    Another woman, who asked not to be identified, said she saw advantages and drawbacks to both proposals.
    "I prefer the location on the west side of Dodge City," she said. "However, I feel the concept and the design plan for the north one are the better of the two."
    She said she thought the northeast site would work better for Dodge City's proposed special events center.