In 1994, the state where I used to live voted to allow riverboat
gambling. We saw the full results of what happens when a community
allows gambling casinos. Because we have seen those results, we
oppose gambling in Hollister.
Dear Editor
In 1994, the state where I used to live voted to allow riverboat gambling. We saw the full results of what happens when a community allows gambling casinos. Because we have seen those results, we oppose gambling in Hollister.
It might be instructive to tell you some of the effects the gambling casino had on our town – which was about the size of Hollister.
The gambling interests sold the voters of the state in an $11.2 million political campaign, visions of picturesque, old-fashioned, paddle-wheeled riverboats leaving docks and taking one hour cruises up and down the rivers in the state.
There were two votes. The first vote was close, but failed. It was equally close, but barely passed the second time.
Our little town had a wonderful river landing area and park next to the river. The park had a large area for families to run and jump (it was protected from river access except for a small portion ) and a large gazebo that was used for weddings, family reunions and church and civic group meetings. Adjoining the park was a nice shopping area downtown, the kind of downtown that Hollister would be proud to have. And, the shopping was flanked by antique shops (similar and larger than San Juan Bautista’s shops ) and city and county government buildings, along with a few historic museums.
We would take our family there to see the Fourth of July fireworks. We would attend weddings, just go and sit sometimes and would shop in the shopping area.
We soon found our little town with a gambling boat. But, it was not a paddle-wheeled riverboat taking one-hour cruises up and down the river. The gambling interests soon spent $200,000 on donations to the legislature, and the cruise limit became three hours. Then, another quarter of a million, and the boats did not have to leave the dock. So, what our little town got was a mammoth permanent “boat” that dominated the park.
We also got a lot of other things. Traffic. Failing businesses. Gambling taking over the politics of the little town. Drunk drivers. Lost friends. Corruption.
Today, businesses have failed everywhere near the riverboat. Traffic is at a standstill. Gambling runs the town. Its rural nature is gone. The park no longer exists. Drunk driving is many times worse.
Only 24 percent of our county wants a casino – over two-thirds oppose one. Let’s all do us a favor, and let the casino owners look elsewhere.
Mel Tungate, Hollister
