132299~Use a casino for good—This letter is a response to
information I heard about the fatal accident that took the lives of
some of our youth. A Monday night joy ride. A horrible end.
Sorry Ms. Haydon, but one could make the same argument about whorehouses and crank labs. Don’t confuse progressive, socially acceptable, revenue producing, legitimate businesses with Indian gaming. They are not the same. Worse, you cite an unfortunate tragedy wherein local youth died while committing a crime to attempt to lure readers into accepting your flawed logic. Gambling, illegal drugs, prostitution and gang activity are vices for a reason and supporting the development of a casino is bad news. Finally, there is no way to “use a casino for good” when the Indian property transitions into a sovereign nation exempt from supporting the local infrastructure through taxes, fees and assessments to which legitimate businesses are normally subject. If you want to develop smart growth strategies, follow the example of communities that manage their infrastructure in such a way as to attract new legitimate businesses, create jobs, increase revenue and improve the social moral fabric. Indian casinos do NOT fit that criteria.
Mike Smith
Hollister
