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Scourge or cure?: Residents speak out against casino question

County will proceed with election

Staff reporter

Mostly Hillsboro residents asked Marion County Commission Monday to reconsider the decision to finance a mail-in, special election for a casino resort.

Also in attendance was Rep. Don Dahl, R-Hillsboro, who told the commission it was wasting county money by holding a referendum vote.

"Kansas is not a referendum-issued state," said Dahl. "It's non-binding. Marion County goes on record for or against it. That's all."

Dahl stated since 1997, Wyandotte County passed a similar referendum by an 80 percent margin and "they still don't have a casino."

Commissioner Dan Holub asked why the Legislature didn't respond to 80 percent of the voters in Wyandotte County.

"This is a big deal," Holub said. He said it upset him to think Legislators don't listen to their constituents.

Dahl responded he would be for a casino if a wall could be built around the area.

"How many $300 million casinos will be built in the state?" asked Dahl.

Fifty gaming bills have been presented to the Legislature but none have passed because state representatives only will support gaming operations in their counties, said Dahl.

If the business is privately owned, it will require a two-thirds vote to change the constitution, said Dahl.

"Chances of it being in Marion County are nil. Won't happen," said Dahl.

Others including Dahl said Marion County was being used as a pawn by Bob Knight and others involved in the development to place the casino in Sedgwick County.

"Do you want to help Sedgwick County get a casino?" asked Dahl. "This is not going to be an economic development area, it will be an undevelopment issue."

He asked the same question others did regarding the county waiting until the general election next November to avoid the cost of a special election.

Later in the meeting, the commission said they wanted to have the election now because there were indications the issue may be presented in the January Legislative session.

Commissioner Randy Dallke asked Dahl if the county requested assistance from him for the project, would he help?

"I'm on the record as opposing gambling," Dahl said. He said his decision was based on statistical information about the effects gambling has on families and communities.

"It's foolish economics," said Dahl. "I have yet to see it benefit anyone other than gambling business owners."

Holub said he had done research, too. He cited bus trips are planned to casinos out of county, and there's Internet gambling.

He was concerned about an increase in the county's mill levy and continued increase in expenses.

"We're in deep trouble," said Holub. "This is an effort to see what we can do. It's more than just a casino — it's a hotel, restaurants, convention center, and day care."

Other comments:

— Clint Seibel of Hillsboro, said the decision to spend $10,000 to $15,000 for the special election was not the best use of county funds.

He recalled Knight telling Harvey County that interstate access was viable to the development.

"He comes to Marion County and says a super two-lane would work," Seibel said. "I question the motives of the developers and promoters. They'll go to the best conditions for the project."

Seibel referred to statistics regarding problem gambling and how it affects six to 10 million adults nationwide.

He also cited statistics that implied poor or lower-income people gamble more than higher-income.

"Those involved in gambling are the ones who can least afford it," said Seibel. "The county should promote saving $10 to $15 per week instead of gambling."

— Lyndon Thiessen, owner of Olde Towne Restaurant, Hillsboro, said the casino would put him and others out of business.

"Casinos would not create new jobs, it would transfer them," said Thiessen. "It won't help local businesses."

Business owners would then have to increase their rate of pay to compete with the pay offered by the casino.

"I don't want you spending my money this way," said Thiessen, referring to a special election.

— Dale Nuss of Hillsboro, asked what Marion County had to offer that Sedgwick County doesn't? He cited studies conducted by Park City, Sumner County, and Wichita Downtown Development.

The studies indicated the majority of the patrons would be within a 100-mile radius.

A dramatic increase in crime also was his concern.

Holub responded that crime followed population — the more people, the more chance for crime. He said if Westar Energy wanted to build a substation in Marion County, that could influence jobs and crime rate.

"Westar wouldn't bring as many elements as a casino," Seibel responded.

He urged the commission to "consider opposing views and be mindful of this room full of people."

— Prior to the afternoon session with Hillsboro residents, Tony Epp of Goessel, spoke to the commission that morning.

In a written statement, Epp said he objected to gambling in Marion County because it would be disrespectful to county residents.

He quoted Indian Chief Cochise who took young men from a government reservation to a stronghold because the men were being taught to "drink whiskey, smoke cigars, and play poker."

As a result, Epp said, the men "forgot their duty to be leaders of their families, husbands to wives, fathers to children, and how to be clear-headed warriors of their people."

— Margo Yates of Marion, said she wasn't totally sold on the proposal but it was important to look at options.

"I think this was a progressive move," said Yates, "to let the people decide."

Holub said the vote would have to be decisive with an overwhelming majority in favor of it before the commission would consider throwing the county's hat in the ring.

Dallke agreed.

"I don't think it would come here if it was a close vote," he said. Knight said the development would not be built in a county that opposed it.

— An unidentified Hillsboro business owner asked where the casino owners would spend their money.

"I spend my money in Marion County," she said.

— Other comments were made about the effects of gambling on families and children.

Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker asked if the developers would be willing to pay for the special election.

Voters will get 'say'

Following the session with taxpayers, the commission decided to continue with the referendum election by mail-in ballot.

Costs were unknown for the special election.

County clerk Carol Maggard will get printing estimates for ballots and estimate the cost for postage. Return postage is required.

A timeline will be presented to the commission at its next meeting to determine voter registration deadlines, and when the ballots will be mailed. Maggard said ballots could be counted as early as Dec. 6, which would require the ballots to be returned by that date.

She said Harvey County has a deadline of Dec. 16, and Sumner County of Dec. 20 for their mail-in ballots to be returned.

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