There is certainly a lot of controversy about the idea of an
Indian sponsored casino in our county. I decided to add my two
cents worth. First of all, I question the validity of a five-member
tribe that cannot establish roots in our area. I would welcome a
casino for the local tribe, especially if they had local
backing.
Editor,
There is certainly a lot of controversy about the idea of an Indian sponsored casino in our county. I decided to add my two cents worth. First of all, I question the validity of a five-member tribe that cannot establish roots in our area. I would welcome a casino for the local tribe, especially if they had local backing.
I am 74 and have lived in Ridgemark since 1982. Sonny Paulus had a lot of opposition back in the early ’70s when he wanted to convert his turkey farm into homes. But what an asset to the county! A casino could be a similar asset. But there has to be significant horsetrading with the developer to assure that we accrue the benefits. I don’t understand the rejection out of hand before sitting down to achieve an agreement, unless it is the same mindless position of this community that almost killed the development of Ridgemark.
I gambled some when I was younger, but very little anymore. But I always thought it was ridiculous for our country not to legalize it. Most of Europe has had legal casinos in many cities for many years. They had national lottos before we had them in the U.S. We now have legal gambling in California and I seriously doubt that it has contributed to our already-high crime rate.
My mother who died at 93 last year lived in Nevada since about 1960. She was an inveterate slot machine enthusiast until she died. My sister who looked after her in her later years disapproved of this, but when we went to Nevada I would loan her some money to play the slots. We would have to get her out of her wheelchair onto a seat in front of the machine and she often won jackpots and paid me back.
I know that one of the arguments against a casino is that locals who can not afford it will lose their money. Five years ago when my wife and I were getting married and she was selling her home, the first offer fell through because the husband of the buyer went to Reno or Las Vegas and lost the down payment. So tell me how a local casino will correct this?
John B. Fitch, Hollister
