There hasn't been any talk of Issue 2 here. I was recently e-mailed by one of my neighbors who was surprised that I am opposed to the issue. Here's my response:
I've been opposed to every casino issue that has come up on the ballot. I am not completely opposed to casinos; however, the way in which they've gone about it in Ohio epitomizes the accepted corruption that exists in the state. Theses casino issues predetermine the winners and losers and essentially allow for non-residents of Franklin County to decide our affairs. If gamers want to come into the state, there should be a ballot issue to legalize this, nothing more. Afterward, individual communities can vote on this if they feel that it's in their best interest.
As to my specific opposition to Issue 2, I believe the Gaming Company has already made arrangements to move to the new location. By voting NO, if nothing else, this further delays gamers from coming into our community. I believe a vote of NO will stick them between a rock and a hard place, hopefully killing the deal entirely. I believe this is our last hope to stop them and I believe a vote of yes paves the way for them to open business. So as you can see, I'm still fighting.
(in reference to story below)...it's not about principle with the politicians; it's only about money. The trustees of Franklin Township are willing to sell out to the casino and the city if the price is right. I don't believe it's morally right for me to vote to put the casino in Franklin Township just as much as I thought it was wrong for non-residents of Franklin County to vote to bring it here in the first place.
Deal annexes casino into city; Franklin Township gets $67MColumbus will annex the potential West Side casino site and give Franklin Township $67 million over the next 50 years under a tentative agreement rolled out this afternoon.
Money generated by the complicated deal would be spread over much of the West Side, concentrating on the Broad Street corridor, regardless of whether the property is in the city or township, said Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Timothy Guyton, chairman of the township's trustees.
Under the proposed agreement, Columbus would annex no township land for the next 50 years in an area stretching roughly from I-270 east to Wilson Road, and from Fisher Road south to railroad tracks near the casino site at the former Delphi plant.
And with property owners' approval, businesses in the township portion of the area would impose a 2.5 percent income tax that would be dedicated largely to economic-development projects within the zone.
The trustees are expected to approve the measure tonight; City Council gets it Monday. It's all contingent on Ohio voters approving state Issue 2 on Tuesday, which would authorize moving the casino site from the Arena District to the old Delphi plant on Georgesville Road.
Columbus Townhall > Forum > Politics > State (Moderators: Peter, CTH Public Relations)
Topic: Issue 2: Casino
