Opinion ID: 1790844
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Plaintiffs' Lobbying Efforts

Text: ¶ 18. Pennebaker, MGM, Horseshoe, and other proponents of the Big Black site undertook similar efforts to influence the MGC, seeking support from many of the same persons and groups that the Vicksburg casinos had recruited. Such efforts included face-to-face meetings with the Commissioners and the Executive Director, letter-writing campaigns to the local newspapers, and meetings with area business leaders, historic groups, city government officials, the Warren County Port Commission, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, and numerous state legislators. The plaintiffs contacted Jimmy Heidel, former director of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, to request that he encourage the Governor to support the site. They contacted the Governor's son for the same purpose. Horseshoe also attempted to retain Giselle Russell to assist in the plaintiffs' lobbying efforts, but she declined because she was already employed by the Vicksburg casinos.