Ministers send letter to Rendell, opposing gaming in Brownsville
BROWNSVILLE – For 10 years, rumors have circulated about plans to bring casino-style gambling to Brownsville, either in the form of riverboat gambling or an American Indian casino. The Brownsville Area Ministerial Association (BAMA) wants Gov.-elect Ed Rendell to know that not everyone in the community is supportive of the plans, even if none of the plans has been discussed publicly.
“We had learned from several folks in the community that there had been petitions circulated in Brownsville asking for the expansion of legalized gambling. We wanted the governor to know that there are people in Brownsville who are opposed to that,” said the Rev. Stanley Burdock, BAMA secretary.
Saying that the Mon Valley already suffers from several social and economic obstacles, including “a myriad of legal and illegal gambling opportunities,” the BAMA writes in the letter that it is “unequivocally opposed” to expanding legalized gambling in the commonwealth and in the area.
“Our political leaders at the state, county and local level lack vision and are seriously mistaken in promising ‘something for nothing,’ hoping to rebuild the commonwealth on the backs of the unsuspecting, ignorant and confused. The predators who seek to victimize the unwitting and poor with suggestions of ‘instant’ wealth undermine the work ethic which is the foundation of our nation. Wealth comes through hard work, education and living within one’s means, not from a roll of the dice or a spin of the wheel,” the letter indicates.
The letter states that recent studies show that communities spend $3 on increased law enforcement for every dollar of income received through gambling.
“Any place where casinos have been introduced, there has been increased crime,” Burdock said.
He said BAMA supports having a statewide referendum on the gambling issue, not a regional referendum, adding that it is too easy for people in an economically depressed area to cling to false promises of renewed wealth.
“The jobs that are provided are minimum wage, not enough to support a family,” Burdock said.
BAMA is encouraging public discussion about gambling, so the facts are before the voters.
“People say it’s better to spend the money here than in Morgantown, but that’s really na?ve,” Burdock said, noting that it’s time some light was shed on what gambling can really bring to the community.
A book called “You Bet Your Life” by Ronald A. Reno contends that legalized gambling has widespread repercussions, including gambling addiction, family breakdown and a significant liability to a community’s fiscal well-being.
“There have been so many things that have been discussed secretly,” Burdock said.
When Ernest Liggett purchased numerous downtown properties more than 10 years ago, plans were first discussed for riverboat gaming in Brownsville as well as a riverfront restaurant and specialty shops. Since then, several American Indian tribes have confirmed that Liggett has approached them about opening a casino in Brownsville. Liggett worked with the Six Nations of the Grand River in Canada for several years before the deal fell through.
The Seneca tribe in Salamanca, N.Y., was the most recent tribe approached. The tribe recently opened a new casino in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
“I was in Shreveport (Louisiana) in April, where there is both casino and riverboat gambling. The two blocks around the casino was beautiful, but the rest of it was awful,” Burdock said. “The proponents are not interested in a public forum where the facts can come out.”
A copy of the letter to the governor was presented to the Brownsville Borough Council. Mayor Norma Ryan said it was good to see people in the community voicing their opinions.
“What they are looking for is more than a quick fix. I appreciate that they have looked a little deeper into this and are concerned about the effects of gambling,” Ryan said.
Burdock said BAMA is hoping to schedule a series of public forums on the issue.