Jesse A. Schroeder

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Below is actually an email from David Gay, the director of LowerLights ministry in Franklinton, OH. I respect David's opinion on the matter of Issue 2 (proposing movie the casino location to the west side of Columbus). David has lived and worked in this neighborhood for many years and knows the people and the area first hand. He makes some good points here, and I think its worth considering.

I voted against the casino when it was last put on the ballot. I hate the whole idea of a casino in Columbus. I'm not sure how I feel about location within the city, or even how much it really matters. But David seems to think it really does matter. Feel free to post and share if you disagree with him, and why. I'd love to hear another perspective and learn more.

Fellow Ohio Voters,

I rarely send anything like this, so please take a brief minute to read and
consider.

I'm no economist, but I do live and work on the Columbus' Westside, and
there is something I don't understand about Issue 2 (relocation of Franklin
County's casino); if the casino is such a golden opportunity, why was it so
heavily opposed by leaders who now are telling us it is just the economic
development our City needs? And if it is such a gold mine, why are leaders
in the Arena District so desperate and vehement to get it moved from the
City's entertainment headquarters? Could this be a rare, yet gracious act
of benevolence for a blighted community?

Here are some justice issues to ponder. if we are going to be forced to have
a casino in Columbus, I think it would be better to keep it in the Arena
District:

* We all know those with a financial interest in Nationwide Arena,
Huntington Park, the Convention Center, the Short North (the list could go
on) will DEMAND adequate and effective police presence to limit crime that
comes with these establishments

* Available land in the Arena District is very expensive and
considerably limited, therefore the typical businesses (pawn shops, sleazy
hotels/bars, etc.) that accompany casinos would find it nearly impossible to
move in and take advantage

* Whether we like it or not, the Arena District is less accessible
to at-risk, vulnerable populations, both because of transportation
limitations, but also because of socio-economic barriers that provide what
could be (in this instance only) a healthy cultural divide

What do I see happening in the casino moves to the Westside?

* Get ready for increases in crime (especially prostitution and
violent crime) to an area already battling with high crime rates. Crime
always thrives in the shadows, but it never stays there! And who do we
imagine will then frequent a Westside casino.

* The Westside will get economic development - pawn shops, cash
advance stores, "show bars" and other maladies will spawn like mad thanks to
a plethora of cheap real estate in a distressed and blighted area

* Get ready for more social service dollars (your tax dollars) to be
handed over to casino operators who will have an unencumbered flow of
low-income individuals/families traveling down major bus lines and feeling
very much "at home" in the Westside casino district

Low-income neighborhoods are conditioned to be the dumping ground of the
City's NIMBY-ism, but this time they have done it to us masterfully - by
getting us to beg for the opportunity to be dumped on.

Please vote a decisive NO on Issue 2! I know it seems everyone is for it,
but we must protect vulnerable families. Best case scenario, we vote no and
then the powerful Arena District leaders can fight the development and delay
the casino the majority of us in Franklin County did NOT want (58% rejected
the casino).

David Gay

Westside resident, Pastor, Community Developer