The Independent-News, Volume 122, Number 22, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 10 October 1996 — Page 4

— INDEPENDENT NEWS — OCTOBER 10, 1996

4

I—

Dear Voice Os The People, After the meeting at the V.F.W. on Sunday to talk about the Casino, I have one big question on the issue. Why did our Town Board vote so quickly and so qiuetly against the Casino? I was under the impression that the Board was elected by the community to make aware of all opportunities to us and with the voice of the community to make the most beneficial decision for North Liberty. I feel in this case the opposite was chosen and the question still concerns me is still why? Let me inform you on what I was shown at the meeting. The casino would bring to this Town between 15 and 17 million dollars in revenue which this town could very much use, also the casino would employ 12-15 thousand from the local area and if you have to travel to South Bend every day you understand how difficult it can be when winter makes its way here. These jobs will pay 26-35 thousand per year which does include benefits and a 401 K plan. How can we turn such an important chance to make this town prosper and employ our local people down? We also have to look at our future here and what we can give to our children when they grow up, will they have to leave the community in hopes of making a living somewhere else or can we at least given them a choice to have a future here? This is something as a parent we have to look very seriously at. 1 would also like to make the point on the gambling issue. Gambling exists in this town whether you agree with it or not. The issue that I feel should be considered is judging others, if you are against gambling that is your choice and should be respected, but the respect should always go to the others who choose to gamble also. Take the time to educate yourself on this issue and show your support at the next Town Board meeting. I would like to give a final thought to you, what will happen the next time a decision is made from the Town Board will be be apart of the decision or will we ever know about it??? Donna Phelps Mr. Pontius, We’re not the parents who wrote “Recognition” but, as parents of a freshman football player, we

took your letter to heart. It’s not that we want to see our kids name in the paper, we want to see the freshman football teams name in the paper. We as parents know who did what when and how because we are at the game but, the rest of the town doesn’t know how they are fairing as a team. And they sure are a team, if you have ever been to one of their games you would know that. Talking about earning respect, well these boys have been playing together for three years with only three losses and they’ve got three more years to go. Watch out here comes the class of “2000.” The Clark’s SLAM JOB After reading the Voice of the People in last weeks paper, the “slam” job on my friend Nedra by Mr. Downey prompted me to respond with some facts. What Nedra said in her article of Sept. 26 was true unlike some of the information in Mr. Downey’s article last week. Mr. Downey, you stated in your article, “For the first time in eight years the superintendent and principals wefe given a three year contract extension instead of one year. Sounds to me as though the school board appreciates these people and want to keep them, as well they should.” The principals were given a two year contract not a three as you stated. Your statement that this is the first time in “eight years” is not correct. On June 16, 1992, on a 6-0 vote, the contracts for principals were extended to 1994 (two years) and the superintendent was extended to 1995 (three years). It should be noted that this was the last meeting for board members: Jean Ann Beem, Mary Kay Millar, David Hostetler and Don Ludwig and also the last time the administrators were given a multi-year contract until 1996, except for the superintendent, who has had a multi-year contract all along. In 1993, after administrator evaluations, Gene Knowlton and I asked the other five board members to extend Mr. McKee’s contract for three years and the other administrators for two years and they refused. In 1994 we asked again and they refused. In July of 1994 Gene and I went off the board. In 1995 the contracts were not extended multi-year except for Mr. McKee. Multi-year contracts were normal before 1992

because we did have confidence in our administrators and that was one way of showing it. I don’t know what happened in 1993, 1994 and 1995 other than to say the majority of the board apparently didn’t have confidence in our administrators. Nilas L. Miller It certainly was a pleasure working on the Storefront Decorating Contest. The rewards are great when you have a staff that works together and plays together. I differently have a group of women that work in the clerk-treasurer’s office who are dedicated to their work, who treat people with respect and who enjoy working as a “public servant.” That is not always an easy task especially when your goals are high. But I can’t say enough about their performance. Whatever I have asked them to do, they do it, and with a smile!! If any of you saw how crazy we looked on the opening day of The Great Pumpkin Festival you will know what I mean. Many times you will spend more time with your coworkers than you do your own family so it is important that you have respect for one another and enjoy each other’s company. So with that said, I would like to take the opportunity to say THANK YOU TO SUE, PAM AND ROXANN for being such great co-workers and for always going that extra mile. I feel very privileged to work in such a great atmosphere with the most wonderful staff anyone could want. Also thank you to the Chamber for taking such a great interest in the community. Our office is looking forward to the Christmas Decorating Storefront because that trophy is certainly beautiful and we would like to keep it. I hope the rest of the merchants get into the decorating spirit so we can all work together in making this town a special place to live, because it is!!!! Kackie Having done my research on the casino issue, I would like to add my voice to those who oppose its location in our area. Should anyone like to check the facts I am about to disclose they may read the same book I did: “The Luck Business,” by Robert Goodman. It is an entire book of facts gathered on the very issue our community is discussing. What Goodman discovered is a gambling establishment in a community hurts the local economy, instead of helping it. People have so much money set aside for enter-

tainment, discretionary spending, and the facts reveal that they will frequent the casino over local restaurants, theaters, bars, and other entertainment industries. Since the casinos are self contained, i.e. offers food and drink on the premise, people are unlikely to leave to grab a bite to eat somewhere else. And, since casinos make the majority of their money on the proceeds from gambling, food and alcohol, is cheaper to purchase it there than in local businesses. The local businesses lose customers, are forced to lay off, and in some communities, close their doors. North Liberty is not Las Vegas. We do not have the high roller entertainment industries which would make people stop and sight see. The fact is that most people who frequent an area with one gambling casino, Day Trippers’, live within a fifty mile radius. They come to gamble, make merry at the casino, and go home. Their money stays in the casino, and does not filter into the local economy. The reason many Native American tribes seek gambling .as a source of industry is to employ members of their own tribe. Native Americans get first dibs on the jobs — as it should be. It is my guess that they will choose the higher paying jobs, and not the lower paying jobs. Gambling is a service based industry, and those are the type of jobs which will be available. In case some don’t know this, these jobs are at the low end of the pay scale. When people play the lottery they are putting money in public pockets. Lottery money does not pay salaries, it fixes roads and schools, and helps finance projects that helps the citizens of the State. When people put quarters or dollars in slot machines it goes into private pockets. When States have to, compete for that discretionary dollar, we all lose. Other States which have allowed other types of gambling have lost millions of public dollars in private hands. For many people gambling is a moral issue. What I have presented is an economic picture based on the latest studies available. Whether the casino is operated by Native Americans or not, they did not come alone to North Liberty. Gambling is a multi-million dollar business, and we should all take a look at who sponsors that business. When I buy a lottery ticket I know where part of the money goes. When I put a quarter in a slot machine I know where that money goes too. People can make up their own minds, as I have, but,

forgive me if I’m a wee bit skeptical. I just don’t buy the promise of opportunity, jobs, or economic recovery for our area from an industry that destroys more dreams than it fulfills. Jami Vanden Bossche What about the fathers rights. This letter is addressed to the Mothers who are so power hunger that their needs comes before the needs of the children. A dad that has never missed a child support payment and all he wants to do spend time with children when his job allows. These mothers will do anything to destroy that relationship and they make it impossible for the grandparents and the rest of the family to be part of the children lives. Take her back to court you say? Tried that. Did that! If your not a dead beat dad and $$ behind in support, the judges won’t even listen, especially when the “Christian” mom stands up under oath and lies about the facts. Your wasting the courts time. So mom think about what you are doing to the children the next time you bad mouth their dad or keep visitation away. Your showing them a terrible example of child rearing. Break the cycle now because they will grow up thinking its their way or no way— Just Like Mom. They will grow up, old and bitter — Just Like Mom. They will never find a happy relationship with anyone — Just Like Mom. But they will be in control of everyone and everything! — Just Like Mom. Disappointed In North Liberty CHANGING TIME FOR TRICK OR TREATING On Monday night, October 7, 1996, at the Walkerton Town Board meeting, Norma Sobieralski was there. She had, in her possession, over two hundred (200) signatures of Walkerton residents which she had obtained in only two days. These signatures were collected in order to show the Town Board that enough citizens were desirous of allowing our children to Trick Or Treat on Halloween instead of the Sunday before. By changing Trick Or Treat to Halloween* this would encourage our youngsters to stay closer to home and then, perhaps, the subdivisions would not be hit as hard. Although I live in a residential neighborhood, it seems that no matter how much candy I purchase, I never have enough. Last year, I had planned for 400 children. (Continued on Page 12)