Dear Mr. Lermond & Members of the Virginia Racing Commission,

Good afternoon.  My family has been in the horse racing business since the 1970’s.  My late husband Bill and I shared this passion with our family and even won the Maryland Million in 2008 with our horse, Sweet Goodbye.  There is no question that we have seen the horse industry fall on hard times for years, and especially in Virginia since Colonial Downs closed.  It is exciting that Colonial Downs has found new partners and will re-open, but I have grave concerns about the means about which this project is moving forward.  3,000 machines statewide is extreme.  This is double the number of historical racing machines that Kentucky and other racing states have. You must take a more measured approach.

I also fear that these off-track betting sites could be located near schools and neighborhoods, which is not where they should be placed if the local governments are not allowed to have input or a vote.  Each locality should pass referendums once again as they did years ago to ensure that the citizens of that locality are in favor of new and  improved OTB facilities.  I know you will do the right thing for the horse industry, but I caution you not to move forward to the detriment of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Thank you for your service to the Racing Commission.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jean Harris

1893 Cross County Road

Mineral, Virginia 23117