West Virginians for Horse Theme Park

Petition for HORSE THEMED ATTRACTION in WV

Dear Governor Joe Manchin:

We, the Undersigned, are for the proposed Horse Themed Attraction to be built in north central West Virginia. We, the citizens, as well as others, believe that we deserve the opportunity to have the third largest, theme park in the country (based upon the horse) built in the state. The HTA will be a world-class, vacation destination that will bring tourists from around the world to West Virginia, will create thousands of high paying jobs, provide millions of dollars in tax revenue, and revive our agricultural industry.

Governor, you, the gaming lobbyists and leaders of the Legislature stopped the horse theme park bill from being put on the agenda for the third year in a row, preventing the HTA from being built in West Virginia.

Jim Pitrolo, your Legislative Director, stated in the Charleston newspapers that you would not support the bill because you are against the expansion of video slots at another racetrack. (In 2007, the West Virginia horse tracks paid out purses of $73,163,824.00, with a larger amount being paid in taxes to the state). Without the video slots, this would not have been possible.

Last year, Governor, you and the leaders of the Legislature supported and passed legislation legalizing table games in West Virginia, legislation you willingly signed into law. You know that the video slots and pari-mutuel wagering are the economic engine necessary to guarantee the investment capital and the operating capital to build the HTA in West Virginia. There will be no table games at the Horse Themed Attraction.

We, the Undersigned, request that you call a special session, with the purpose of supporting, passing and signing into law, House Bill (4405), allowing the HTA to be built in West Virginia.

For more information about the Horse Themed Attraction, please visit: www.htawva.com