Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste speaks at the 2011 DCED Dauphin County State of the County Dinner outlining the financial benefits the County receives because of Gaming Funds.

In February 2008, the Hollywood Casino opened, and since then, Dauphin County has received more than $39 million from gaming.

A portion of that money is allocated to municipalities in the form of local share grants intended for public safety and infrastructure projects.

Gaming Funds have also been used for various other projects such as the Dauphin County Solar Farm, a Whitaker Center IMAX film, and the Harrisburg Stampede, an indoor football team. Just last year, the Dauphin County Commissioners spent over $87,000 of Gaming Funds on three SUV's, one for each Commissioner.

On May 27, 2011, Commissioner Jeff Haste damaged his County-owed vehicle.

According to an accident report, Commissioner Haste wrecked his vehicle into a fence while at the Dauphin County Solar Farm.

The Solar Farm is located off of Hetrick Lane on 13.2 acres of land, 8.4 acres of which were purchased from Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick for $134,580.80 in January of 2010.

A second parcel of 4.8 acres was purchased from Leland Riley by the IDA for $78,216.

As the accident report form shows, Commissioner Haste lives at 220 Hetrick Lane in a house owned by Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick.

Photo/Natalie Cake