It took a final demand letter from Gregory Smith, the attorney representing the Perdido Key residents, a possible lawsuit and one more letter from County Attorney Alison Rogers imploring Commissioner Valentino to “once more search your County and private email accounts for the requested records to ensure nothing has been overlooked.”
Yesterday, 35 pages of emails to Valentino’s private email (genev@collectorsolutions.com) were delivered to Mr. Smith. The emails even have Valentino’s picture and county commission contact information.
The emails document Valentino’s efforts to bring gambling to Escambia County. The principal correspondents are Cy Keefer (developer who wants to build the bingo casino), Ashley Cooper (who describes himself as Keefer’s partner), Julian MacQueen & Jeff Townsend of Innisfree (who own the land in Perdido Key), Phil Kattell (who went on a hunting trip with Valentino in January 2009).
The emails are one-sided – only those sent to Valentino in response to an earlier email from Valentino.
It does appear that Valentino was working with Phil Kattel and others to help the Creek Indians build a casino in Escambia County. In a Jan. 8 email, Valentino tells MacQueen: “While I am personally distracted with an surprise intent to develop ‘gaming’ on Pensacola Beach when I thought this was not the plan (focusing for many reasons on Perdido), it none less does not surprise me…I know Phil. understands my position on this, and I believe you do as well: A revenue stream for the County regardless from where it originates is an academic discussion as this point. While I prefer it start in Perdido key. I know that if Perdido can get under way IN PARALLEL with Pensacola Beach initiatives is okay with me.”
The emails discuss problems with the Creeks not being a Federally recognized tribe and objections from the Poarch Creek Indians of Atmore. The plan for Perdido Key was ambitious. Open June 2009 with 500 bingo machines. Within a year build a four star hotel, expand the facility and maybe add a water park. Then start looking for other locations and “perhaps even some kind of area wide agreement with the county could be established once the tribe has the economic engine place to afford the support staff craft such an agreement.”
There are emails requesting Valentino’s help with expediting the staff review of the bingo casino. That staff approval is now being appealed by the Perdido Key residents.
Since these emails don’t include any emails sent from Gene Valentino that didn’t elicit a response, I expect Mr. Smith to make another request of Commissioner Valentino. And since the emails are being sent from Valentino’s business account, it is quite possible that Collectors Solutions has all the Commissioner’s emails stored on a backup server somewhere.
Emails: page1-10; pages11-20; pages21-33.
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[...] Rick’s Blog: “Valentino finally turns over casino bingo emails” [...]
Anonymous-I tracked down an old friend of mine that likes to BINGO!, and she said that for the most part it’s retirees that work at the BINGO! halls, and they make up the most of the attendees at the events. It’s a social get-together.
Amazing that you, Randy Cudd, don’t see anything wrong here! You could see YOUR commissioner in the act of corruption and still not admit to it. Is this really what he was elected to do? Lie to his constituents, work for the developer as opposed to his constituents, and not comply with the law – is he really above the law, Randy? Gene is all fluff with no substance with his mumbo jumbo talk – always has been and always will be. His economic plan fell short because his real plan was to have these casino’s open up in 4 or 5 areas of Escambia County with Phil Kittell heading up his economic development plan and when the rug was pulled out from under him with the legality of it, he had to resort to plan B – hire Jane Birdwell to throw something together for him. He is corrupt and is not the man that was hired. His ego has gotten the best of him and needs to do all of his constituents a favor, step down now before this gets nastier for him and his family.
Thank you Gene for trying to bring new jobs and business to the area. Thank you for your efforts in recruiting growth and prosperity to Escambia County.
To you na-sayers;
Unless you see something illegal here what are you whining about?
Did Gene learn nothing from Mike Whitehead and George Touart? Don’t go on hunting trips with potential county clients.
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And apparently Gene was planning on using this casino to announce his candiacy for a second term. I’d rethink that plan if I were him.
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Why is it that once people get elected to public office they lose their common sense? It’s like corruption is oozing out of the furniture at the county complex and as it seeps in, the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong quickly dissolves.
You are exactly right – he is doing what no one else is doing, read the documents and you will see what he has been doing – total corruption and deception of his constituents – working for the developer, part of the team! Just read them and decide for yourself.
Because a job calling out I5 and G7 is just what the average Escambia county resident is just dying for.
Now then, lets get all the emails from all related parties affiliated with this list
http://ricksblog.biz/?p=6215
Gene V is just trying to do what nobody else is doing – work relentlessly to bring jobs for this area. While the Chamber is trying to start a high-tech campus filled with jobs for phDs and scientists who have to be imported from elsewhere, Gene is working to get jobs that the average Escambia county resident can apply for and get to work.
Keep pushing, Gene.
What is obvious, is that Gene, had the balls to take on the Chamber. that is a no, no. that crowd wants no other input, than their own. Look for more of this, as we approach election time, from the PNJ, and the IN. And wait until Quint checks in. You GO GENE. Your plan, needs some work done on it, as you have said, but to take development from the Chamber, is absolutely the right thing to do
Time for him to resign. What a shame for the citizens he represents. Hello Mr. State Attorney – we need a grand jury investigation.