Yesterday, eight of the 11 Fort Wayne mayoral candidates attended a debate at Concordia Lutheran High School.
The event was sponsored by Allen County Right to Life, the Indiana Family Institute, and the Coalition for a Better Fort Wayne, all of which are groups who consider themselves as pro-traditional family values. As expected, questions regarding abortion and gambling were raised. The three leading Republican candidates said they would oppose putting a casino in Fort Wayne.
Although the Indiana House killed a bill in February 2009 that would allow residents to vote on Indiana licensing a casino in Fort Wayne, the conversation is still ongoing.
Although it has been insinuated to me in the past that I am very anti-family values, I am a bit conflicted on this issue. It has been proven to be an economic boon for some towns, but is it really a wise investment?
I have been to casinos in Vegas and around the Midwest, but my friends and I didn't really get a whole lot of these experiences. They are kind of gross and depress me. And as much as Fort Wayne and its elected officials tout the area's "family values" I can't really perceive a casino doing well here. Aside from Las Vegas, I didn't get the impression that a casino added any character to a city. It just made it kind of sketchier.
Should we reevaluate casinos in Fort Wayne? Or should we look into something else that will bring in more tourism?
I think that your questions can be reworked into my answer: We should reevaluate casinos in Fort Wayne because they will bring in more tourism.
ReplyDeleteI know many people who regularly travel to Michigan and Las Vegas for the specific purpose of gambling. That means that money is leaving our state and the hundreds of jobs that would go along with a casino in our city are nonexistent.
Sure, a lot of the time people gamble because they need to and are desperate for the money; however it is also just a fun activity for those who have a little money to spare.
I don't feel Fort Wayne does all that well of a job emphasizing family values; however, I also don't see Fort Wayne having a casino.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that a casion would draw tourism, but I don't feel it would be significant enough to actually better the city - it might though and so I'd be down to see one come in.
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ReplyDeleteWhy worry about casinos? Just open another Strip Club they have about the same level of class and definitely support "family values". ;)
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