Opponents and proponents stand firm on casino issue
Issues rehashed, questioned at meeting
Staff reporter
An informational meeting Sunday evening appeared to be a rally for those against a casino — not just in Marion County but anywhere in south-central Kansas.
Guest speakers presented information to a crowd of approximately 50 people at Marion Senior Center, comprised mainly of those who do not support casino businesses.
More of the same information was dispensed by Glenn Thompson of Wichita, an activist against casino enterprise.
He said he believed a destination casino could derive 85 percent of its revenue from outside a 50-mile radius. All other casinos would obtain it within a 50-mile radius. He added that the casino development proposed by developers to Marion County Commission would not be a destination casino, even though that's the term used by developers.
"Economic development is more money coming in to the county than leaving," said Thompson. "Economic regression is when more money leaves the county than comes in."
He said the only measure of economic development is net cash flow.
"Positive net cash flow increases wealth," said Thompson. "A negative cash flow decreases wealth."
He continued that economic development cannot be measured by payroll amount, number of employees, or revenue dollars.
Thompson also said he believed for every one casino job, there would be three jobs lost in the county.
An estimated 30 percent of casino revenue would stay locally but 70 percent would leave the region, said Thompson.
"Accessibility is a key contributor to gambling addiction," said Thompson. Casinos make money from those who constantly gamble.
"The casinos try to attract gamblers more often and keep them there longer," he said.
The theme of the presentation centered around a casino located in Sedgwick County and, according to Thompson, how it could impact Marion County residents with loss of revenue and wealth.
"The referendum vote is not about a casino in Marion County," said Thompson. "It's to apply pressure on state legislators to pass a bill for a casino in Sedgwick County."
Information Thompson presented was typical of a state-owned casino, which was not what casino developers and promoters had been selling.
Personal view
Colinda Starling, of Bel Aire, is a certified drug and alcohol counselor. She brought a personal view of the social ills associated with gambling addiction.
Starling grew up in Las Vegas, Nev., and worked in casinos since she was 15 years old.
She learned at an early age that gambling was OK but does not want to see a casino in Kansas.
When Starling worked in a "cage" at a casino, where chips were purchased and cashed, she recalled older people cashing Social Security checks to gamble.
"The elderly feel lonely," Starling said, "and they're looking for socialization. They came to the casinos."
Domestic violence, divorce, and bankruptcy rates increase dramatically with the presence of casinos, she said.
Starling recalled seeing children left in vehicles for long hours at a time while their parents or caregivers were gambling.
Job performances also suffer by those addicted to gambling, she said. She asked employers of Marion County to reconsider voting in casinos.
"I see clients with all kinds of addictions," said Starling. "I have teen clients with an addiction to Texas Hold'em."
The most significant increase, Starling noted, was suicides. As a casino employee, she heard of suicides weekly.
One suicide in particular hit close to home for her. In 1985, she was engaged to a man with a gambling addiction.
"He had hocked everything, spent all his money, and written $3,000 in bad checks," Starling said. "He drove out to the desert and shot himself.
"This kind of damage to families will affect our communities, counties, and states," she concluded.
During a question and answer period, Dave Crofoot of Marion, asked for clarification of the loss of jobs.
"Wouldn't there be more jobs in grocery stores and gas stations for the people who come to Marion County to work at casino?" asked Crofoot.
Thompson responded new revenue needed to be pulled from outside the area in order to offset casino jobs. Otherwise revenues and wealth would be reduced.
A representative from Voices of the Heartland said there would be job transference and smaller businesses would be impacted more than others.
Harry Bennett of rural Marion, said he understood that economic development is the turn of the dollar, not necessarily outside revenue.
Thompson interrupted Bennett and said he was referring to wealth.
Bennett then interjected that if he spent his money with five local businesses instead of Wal-Mart, it's not new money but it's circulating which also adds to economic development.
Thompson's response was that Wal-Mart hasn't taken away homes like casinos.
Ballots
Ballots will be mailed Dec. 9 to registered voters in Marion County. For those who are not registered or need to update their registration can do so at the Marion County Clerk's office at the courthouse.
Ballots must be cast and received by noon Dec. 22 at the clerk's office. They will be counted the afternoon of Dec. 22.
The special election is a non-binding referendum for a casino to be located in Marion County.
