Governor gags Pinckneyville group into not answering their phones

According to the Post-Dispatch, Governor Blagojevich has ordered a group wanting to build a Branson-like resort on 5000 acres near Pinckneyville to say nothing about it until he himself makes the public announcement.

The governor's gag order has everyone in a tizzy, everyone from local politicians to local residents are wanting information on exactly what is going on down there and getting no answers. The development company, Toney-Watkins Co, a Glen Carbon group, will not even answer their phones. State Sen. David Luechtefeld, R-Okawville asked, "People have asked, 'If these (developers) are credible, why don't they answer the phone?' "One of the things we jumped on them about was, 'Why haven't you answered your phones?' They said (the administration) said, 'Don't discuss this,'" said Luechtefeld.

"We were upset about that. It looks suspicious when you can't get anyone to pick up the phone," Luechtefeld said. " … This (proposal) is something that can fall apart in a hurry. People who invest in this … if there's any doubt in their minds, they just go somewhere else.

"To which the Toney-Watkins people say, "The gag order was contained in a letter from the agency. "It says we are not allowed to talk with the press until the governor announces the project."

State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, another participant in the meeting, said there are concerns that the gag order has complicated an already difficult quest to get the project started.

Sounds like everyone wants this project. Sounds like the governor wants the credit with downstate voters, a group he has pretty much ignored except for the Sparta Shooting and Recreation Complex.