By Gadi Dechter and Laura Smitherman , gadi.dechter@baltsun.com and laura.smitherman@baltsun.com|December 05, 2008
A commission that will dole out lucrative slots licenses in Maryland will be headed by the leader of a business advocacy group chosen by Gov. Martin O'Malley after two prominent university leaders declined interest in the unpaid assignment, according to people familiar with the matter.
Donald C. Fry, a former state lawmaker from Harford County, has since 2002 led the Greater Baltimore Committee, a group that has long advocated for expanded gambling as an economic stimulus for Baltimore and the region. O'Malley announced Fry's selection late yesterday.
University System of Maryland Chancellor William E. Kirwan and University of Baltimore President Robert L. Bogomolny were both approached by administration officials about leading the slots panel, but they declined, according to several people with knowledge of the decisions.
Those individuals said the university leaders were informally counseled in recent days by senior members of the university system's Board of Regents against taking the position because it is expected to be a time-consuming and potentially controversial role.
Before last month's referendum that legalized slots in Maryland, the regents unanimously endorsed the initiative, concluding that the estimated $600 million in state slots proceeds would at least indirectly help public higher education. Gambling opponents, however, suggested that board's endorsement was the result of political pressure from O'Malley, a slots supporter. The governor appoints members to the prestigious board.
Bogomolny and Regents chairman Clifford Kendall declined to comment yesterday, with the latter calling the issue "a personnel matter." Kirwan did not return calls seeking comments.
Fry, 53, of Bel Air, will head a seven-member "facility location commission" that will vet applications and select winning bidders for five slot-machine licenses that can be used to establish casinos in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Cecil, Worcester and Allegany counties. The voter-ratified amendment allows 15,000 machines across those locations.
O'Malley, House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller will each appoint two more commissioners. Those announcements could come as soon as today.
Fry said yesterday evening that he expects the commission to be heavily scrutinized because of the tempestuous years-long public debate over slots in Maryland. Gambling licenses could yield a combined $450 million yearly for casino operators by one estimate, and pro-gambling interests outspent slots opponents by millions in the fall referendum campaign.
