I agree wholeheartedly with the Free Lance editorial of Sept. 2
regarding the proposed Indian casino to be located near the border
with Santa Clara County.
Dear Editor,
I agree wholeheartedly with the Free Lance editorial of Sept. 2 regarding the proposed Indian casino to be located near the border with Santa Clara County.
We need to ask the hard questions.
As with any potential development project, policy makers truly interested in the well-being of their constituents have a responsibility to determine the long-term consequences of approving such a project and to undertake a rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
Certainly, San Benito County’s economy needs a shot in the arm. New jobs and new revenues would go a long way toward improving the quality of life for our residents and give local government the additional funds it needs to provide vital public services.
However, we must consider the negative impact of a casino as well.
How will gambling in our region impact our public safety agencies? Will they require more resources to patrol and monitor casino activities?
How will the casino impact traffic and roads? Will we be required to spend more to control and route the thousands of new cars entering our area? How much damage can be expected to our already overused roads from the additional traffic?
How much revenue will our local governments actually receive as a result of approving an Indian casino? Will the revenues outpace the new spending that might be required for public safety or transportation agencies or vice versa?
These are the kind of tough questions we should be asking. And, until those questions can be answered satisfactorily, I say “go slow” on the Indian casino.
Anthony Botelho, San Juan Bautista
