If you were to ask Max Baer if his proposal to build Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino is a good bet, he would agree. If you were to ask him if it was a done deal, he would explain that there is no way anyone can say at this stage.
Baer has tried his casino plan in a couple of different places in a couple of different formats. As he will point out, he is very persistent.
In Reno, he ran into problems with financing. In Carson City, the property he purchased would not allow a gambling establishment. Getting a project like the Beverly Hillbillies casino off the ground was never going to be easy and certainly history has confirmed that.
It has been two years since The Record-Courier reported that Baer was looking at the site located across from the Wal-Mart in northern Douglas County among others. County staff is even now studying the plans in preparation for presentation to the Douglas County Planning Commission.
There are still a lot of hurdles for Baer to overcome before his casino will be a reality. Opposition from neighboring land owners is already gathering. Several variances will be required before the casino can be built as Baer envisions it.
Baer is the shooter in this giant craps game and he's just now thrown the dice. Chances are that he will not win or lose on a single throw. He will probably have to make his point the hard way.
- This editorial first appeared in The Record-Courier.