Packed Council Meeting Leads To National Harbor Compromise

Judith Lynne Hanna (Courtesy Of Judith Hanna - Courtesy Of Judith Hanna)

Averitable who's who of county politics attended a packed County Council hearing last week to decide what conditions to impose on Gaylord Entertainment in exchange for tax incentives designed to encourage the company to expand the massive hotel it is building at the National Harbor site.

There was County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), of course. He negotiated a deal in February to get the Nashville-based hotel chain to enlarge its Prince George's behemoth from 1,500 to 2,000 rooms. Now, his deal was threatened by a council move to tie a $50 million bond package to requirements that at least 15 percent of Gaylord's contractors and vendors be minority businesses. He spoke first and encouraged the council to find some way other than the bonds to enforce the minority business requirements.

Then followed a parade of current and past county leaders. Nathaniel Exum (D) spoke and said his comments would have been echoed by Ulysses Currie (D), except that his fellow state senator had to leave.

"With all due respect to the county executive, we are talking about taxpayers' money in Prince George's County," Exum said. "If we allow minorities, African Americans, to participate in this project at a level that would create wealth, then we create wealth for all of us."

Major F. Riddick Jr ., a former county executive candidate, addressed the council. So did Jerry J. Mathis , who at one point turned his back to the council during his comments to face the crowd and remind everyone that he's a candidate for delegate in the 26th District.

Who would speak last was the subject of a bit of political jockeying. Just after Johnson spoke, Council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Laurel) recognized former county executive Wayne K. Curry (D) in the crowd and offered him the chance to speak next, ahead of several dozen others. From the back of the room, Curry demurred, noting that he preferred to hear what Bennett Westbrook , Gaylord's vice president, had to say first.

Come the end of the hearing, Dernoga turned back to Curry, who noted that Westbrook still had not spoken. Then, Dernoga turned to Westbrook.

"After Mr. Curry, I would like to speak," said Westbrook, piping up from the back of the room.

Dernoga seemed puzzled, then suggested if one or the other did not speak soon, he would decide that neither wished to speak and move on. "I'm not going to play with children," he chided from the dais.

Finally Westbrook headed sheepishly to the microphone to make his company's case. Curry sat back looking pleased and got the final word, encouraging the council to compromise if it could but find some way to hold Gaylord to its promises about minority business participation at the hotel.

Ultimately, Johnson, the council and Gaylord came to terms, agreeing that the company will pay cash fines if it doesn't make its minority business goals.

The expansion will go forward as planned.