Though Pennsylvania has no money trees, it has the next best thing - casinos. Last year, the state's 12 casinos raked in $3 billion. At the top of this mountain of cash was none other than Bethlehem's Sands Casino resort. It had gross revenues of more than $176 million from table games alone. A big piece of this gambling pie funds local government, both in host fees and grants. Northampton County's nine-member gaming authority awards the grants, primarily to contiguous municipalities impacted by gambling. After a two-month break, the board met Jan. 27.

At this meeting, officers were elected: Jay Finnigan, chair; Joe Kelly, vice chair; John Dally, secretary; and Tom Nolan, treasurer. All votes were unanimous.

In addition, members unanimously agreed to appoint Northampton County Economic Development Analyst Karen Collis as their executor director. She replaces Alicia Karner, who resigned to take over Bethlehem's Department of Community and Economic Development.

Collis is currently seeking applications for gaming revenue grants. These requests are limited to municipalities contiguous to the Sands Casino, and must be in by March 3. Applicants are required to show how they've been impacted by the casino. After deciding on these requests, the board usually opens up the grant process to other municipalities.

According to Treasurer Tom Nolan, the gaming authority is currently sitting on $354,223 in "restricted" funds set aside for grants in process. There is also $446,403 in uncommitted funds.

Freemansburg Mayor Gerald Yob, who also sits on the gaming board, complained that his borough had to borrow complained that his borough had to borrow money to pay for two police cars because the grant process is split into quarterly payments. Finningan and Kelly both told Yob that his grant was based on anticipated revenue that has not yet arrived from the casino.

"You can't write a check if the money's not there," Finnigan explained.

Volunteer firefighter Kevin Kalman, who is associated with volunteer fire companies in both Freemansburg and Bethlehem, complained that the board shows a "heavy slant toward the police departments," and a "less than proportionate representation of the fire companies."

Yob disputed Kalman's contention, noting that it is more difficult for fire companies to show they've been impacted by the casino. He added that a grant was recently obtained for defibrillators, which were then distributed to fire companies.

Finnigan sided with Yob, adding that Hanover Township was able to get a vehicle for its volunteer firefighters through a gaming grant.

Volunteer fire companies must apply for these grants through the affected municipality, Kelly cautioned.

As a final item of business, Solicitor Scott Allinson told the board that the terms of office have expired for members Timm Tenges and Tom Nolan. But he explained that, under the Municipalities Planning Code, a board member whose term has expired may continue to serve until he is re-appointed or replaced.