Letter To New York Voters
I am voting “No” to the proposition that would allow additional casinos to be established in New York State and I hope to convince you to vote “No” as well.
Living in the mid-Hudson Valley for over 20 years I am aware of how many villages, towns and cities in this area struggle to find employment for their citizens and a way to prosper. It has been demonstrated that casinos do not provide employment for many townspeople over time, but that they only serve to worsen the gap between rich and poor and increase the need for services such as police and rehabilitation. If you go to the web site stoppreditorygambling.org you can find new information on the issues surrounding casinos from the Rockefeller Institute Report and other social science studies that have been done.
How can towns grow economically and have a sustainable economy? There is no one magic answer, but there are many hopeful attempts at reversing the downward spiral. Food production flourishes in this area, not just the growing of food but preparing it in unique ways from what is grown in the orchards and gardens and made from milk of pasture animals. Small manufacturing ventures can find affordable land locally and transportation for their finished products. Artists have long been attracted to the natural beauty of the area and the less expensive costs of land to establish studios and homes. Recreation opportunities for people from New York City who want nearby hiking, biking and skiing opportunities are available.
But casinos that produce no goods, addict people who have marginal incomes to begin with and attract criminal elements to the locale cannot help grow a sustainable economy. I urge you to join me in voting “No” to the proposition number 1 on the November 5th ballot.
Doris Goldberg
Woodstock
Out Of The Limelight
Thinking about politics, it seems to me that: Democrats want to spend when they should be saving (when times are good); Republicans want to save when they should be spending (when times are bad); Tea partiers want to not spend ever (no matter what);
The rest of us are just ignored.
Bill Brandt
Woodstock
Casinos Are Not Economic “Engines”
It is a fallacy, and a hoax promoted by the gambling industry and government, that casinos and other forms of gambling, are economic “engines.” Unlike diverse retail businesses, manufacturing facilities, research and development firms, casinos produce no tangible product which enriches the community at large. They are profitable chiefly for the owners, and more so when they keep as many people onsite by reducing and discouraging competition from the surrounding community.
Casinos create no ‘Added value” to the local economy, they simply suck money from those local businesses and keep it for themselves (the house always wins). The casino’s self-centered operation has the effect of reducing the number of dollars available to stimulate and support local businesses. Besides the initial construction jobs for the casino facility, which might be provided by the local labor pool (a short term endeavor at best), casinos basically provide only low paying service jobs. Many employees can be lured away from the local businesses, as casinos create stiff competition for local hotels, B&B’s, restaurants, entertainment venues and even retail sales businesses by providing those services at their own venues. What you end up with is a “Casino town”… As an example of what can happen, go look at the community around Foxwoods and talk to the folks there as I have.
Don’t be fooled by the hype of the Casino industry or the slanted, self serving and unsubstantiated wording of the referendum you will be asked to vote on this November vote No on Proposition One!
Marcus Arthur
Saugerties
Friends Of Jeremy
Organizers call it a “Fun Raiser” for Jeremy Wilber’s re-election campaign for Town Supervisor, on Tuesday, October 22, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Town Hall on Tinker Street. You’re invited to bring a dish to share with music provided by The Rennie Cantine Band (Rennie, Joe Beesmere, Mike Minervini, Mark Payne and Bruce Wolfeil), plus Gordon Wemp and Bill Pfleging.
While admission is free, contributions in any amount are welcome; checks should be made to “Friends of Jeremy.”
Lucille Schechter
Lake Hill
