UPDATE: According to an article in the Democrat, both proposals include casinos.
So far the City has not seen fit to ask its citizens what our opinion is, and I feel certain that they won't. However, I'm going to tell them anyway, and I hope you will too. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen meet again on Tuesday, November 28 at 6 pm. If you want to speak, you must call or visit the Mayor's office and ask to be put on the Agenda. Or you could write to the Mayor and/or your Alderman. Or you could just attend the meeting and show your support. If you don't do any of these things, then you have no one to blame but yourself when a casino comes to town.
Check the story about Economic Costs of Casinos.
Does this belong in Natchez?
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18 comments:
I was just told that both proposals have casinos attached to them. Big surprise!
Please research both of these companies. Check to see who is affiliated with them and their connection to Natchez. Research often proves unparallel results.
There is a Natchez connection to this and it is sure to grease somebody's palm.....
HUGE SURPRISE!!!!
I guess it doesn't really mater what sort of economic progress it is, casino's, hotel's, condo's, factories, convention centers, intermodel centers, some certain people are just going to be against anything that comes around. And the funny thing is that it is the exact same ones every time.
Few are opposed to hotels, condos, factories, convention centers, intermodal centers. And, whoever you are, you do realize that, in some of the cases, it's not the what but where, and the manner in which the deal is made. For too long our City leaders have been selling this place short for their own personal reasons, be it lack of forsight or personal gratification, financial and otherwise. And, yes, it's the same ones who enlighten themselves, question the wisdom, the motives behind the deals because the rest of us sit silently behind this screen of anonymity intimidated by public opinion. Those who speak up have put themselves "out there" because no one else will. "Bravo/Brava" for those who are doing the "funny thing" and speaking up because you and I are too cowardly to do otherwise.
Why is it that members of our local government think that such matters as economic development are none of the public's business? The mayor has as much as stated this in the paper! What concerns me more than the pros and cons of casinos is that none of our local leaders have vision; they have no real plan for large scale economic development.
WHERE IS OUR TIMID LITTLE NEWSPAPER? THEY WRITE A TINY HALF WAY QUESTIONING EDITORIAL EVERY NOW AND THEN,(LIKE THE ONE TODAY)AFTER THEY'VE PUT IN ONE WITH THE TOTALLY OPPOSITE OPINION EXPRESSED. WHO WRITES THESE THINGS ANYWAY? I PRESUME IT'S THE EDITOR, BUT IS HE (OR SHE) DOUBLE-MINDED? DOES THE CITY ADVERTISE SO MUCH THE PAPER IS AFRAID TO OFFEND ANYONE? GRANTED THEY REPORT THAT SECRET THINGS ARE GOING ON, BUT THE CITY FATHERS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT AFRAID OF BEING EXPOSED. IT IS SIMPLY MIND BOGGLING. THE PAPER NEEDS TO STOP WRITING SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN KINDERGARTENS AROUND TOWN AND INVESTIGATE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT CITY HALL! EVERYBODY DOESN'T READ BLOGS, BUT MOST PEOPLE READ THE NEWSPAPER.
Thanks goodness for "little old ladies in tennis shoes" who have the guts to tell it like it is when you can't get the story any where else. A few of us men are beginning to speak out, but we should be ashamed for leaving it to the ladies for so long. Isn't that the way it's always been in Natchez? It's not about hoopskirts anymore. It's about saving our town.
They are going down one by one. Natchez will surely flourish one day.
I have been participating in this blog for quite some time now. Since day one, I stated that we need to "march on city hall". Enough is enough.
This administration has done absolutely nothing but set this city up for final doom. There is "NO LEADERSHIP" at the helm. The ship capsided a long time ago and the sink is gradual but destined to happen.
Solidarity is needed more now than ever before. While we may have only two years left on this ship, a lot can happen. WE CANNOT LET THIS CONTINUE!!!
Most of us have worked hard to save our town through some rather difficult economic times. I say to you now, "RISE UP AND STAND" before it is too late.
It is not about riverfront development. It is not about downtown development. It is about OUR TOWN.
These people who are leading have absolutely no vision.
"WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH"....... Argue with me on this one.
I don't/didn't think so......
How about the embarrasingly idiotic Shakespeare editorial the other day in the Democratic. Comparing the Pecan Factory to Juliet and the City/Worley-Brown to the Montagues and the citizens who sued to the Capulets. They even threw a little Hamlet in there. It read like an 8th grade attempt at creative writing.
WHERE IS THE INTELLIGENT LEADERSHIP in this community?
Some Facts/Questions:
1. I keep reading that we voted "yes" to Casinos? When was that? What year?
2. Times change: Is it possible that we the citizens now see things in a different light? Maybe we should "vote again."
3. Has the Isle of Capri published any studies showing what the economic impact of their operation is?
4. How much money does James Biglane make per month from leasing the parking lots and the dock (which the City SOLD to him under Armstrong) to the Casino? I believe it's upward of $40,000/month just for the dock (not including the parking lots) and ultimately he makes MILLIONS a year off of the Isle of Capri alone.
5. My understanding is that the land that Biglane now owns was originally supposed to be part of the National Park -- and that Biglane, Mayor Armstrong and others all testified before Congress that they would support this waterfront (Silver STreet) as part of the National Park. But subsequently Armstrong's administration sold the land to Biglane (don't know how much he paid) and Biglane leased it to the Casino. The National Park Service got the shaft.
Anybody know the specifics on this one?
6. How much money does the CITY make off the Isle of Capri casino? Are there published statistics? I wonder if Biglane makes more?
7. Has the city done any studies to demonstrate the economic impact of the Isle?
8. Yes, it does appear that the Isle of Capri is a good corporate citizen. Does the Isle of Capri employ 300 people? What kind of jobs are these? Minimum wage? Benefits? Part time?
9. Don't count on the Democrat to do any original investigative reporting on any of this. They only report what people say. And, out of context at that.
It is easy to criticize and blame the government and the newspaper for your discontent. It's also easy to be jealous and critical of people (like Biglane) who prosper in business because they had the balls and means to make something happen. But it's hard to get out there and take a risk and make something happen yourself.
It doesn't appear that there is much interest by other industry or developers in coming to the river city other than for casino related development. And really what better place? How can you blame them? The Natchez market has proven itself profitable for casino companies and an additional site has been prepared by the city and is awaiting the best bidder. Perhaps the city fathers wouldn't be looking at casino deals if they had other options and for petes sake there has been ample time for others to come forth. Furthermore, when you think about all of this in realistic terms it is probably safe to say that the vast majority of citizens in Adams county and especially in the City are not opposed to another casino development. A casino would create lots of jobs (better than minimum wage and with benefits) and generate cash that would flow into the city budget and into the bank accounts of many local businesses. That is what the people will vote for, jobs and lower taxes. The people here are tired of waiting and want action now. It's like the old bird in hand saying. If people here have better ideas they need to get them on the table with the money to make them a reality right away. Now not next year. It's time to put your money where yo mouth is if you want to give the city other options. The mayor and board can only work with what they have in front of them. Wake up people! Development and growth must come from the private sector and we have to work with those who are willing to take a chance on Natchez. And sure, someone might profit! Live with it! If there is a risk there should be a reward. If you want the reward then get out there and take the risk. Talk is cheap. This is America. Natchez has been suppressed for too long. It's boom time now!
That last comment is a lot of hot air.
Anonymous (hot air) casino proponent: Casinos are the answer for this city council because they won't get off their cushy council seats and put their lazy brains to work on some creative plans for this city. Stats show casinos are simply devastating for a community. But, it's easy fodder for the councilmen who don't have experience outside this community, don't have inquiring minds, and the initiative to explore options for this city. Good leadership takes work and time. These guys just aren't willing to invest in a leadership effort. So, we get stuck with the last resort and failed economic practices which will end up just like the other casino. The developer will be the winner in all this. We're the loosers because we don't have proper leadership. And, there are some who've gone before them with ideas, alternatives. And when confronted with citizen suggestions most of them slump back into their cushy council chairs, roll their eyes to the ceiling and make snide comments under their breath. Now that's leadership, wouldn't you agree?!!!
Need to change the last entry addressed to "anonymous (hot air) casino proponent" to read: "Moonshine Catfish":......
Moonshine Catfish says "Furthermore, when you think about all of this in realistic terms it is probably safe to say that the vast majority of citizens in Adams county and especially in the City are not opposed to another casino development." Catfish, I've not spoken with one single person who's in favor of a casino at Roth Hill and I've spoken with a lot of people about this, in fact a whole city ward on a door to door survey. And, you'd be surprised who some of them are, too. But, look in today's newspaper on Opinion page. Survey: "How do you want to see the land at the foot of Roth Hill developed?" A lot of people voted on this, more than usual. An overwhelming majority (44.8%)want the property to be used as a Public Park; that means PUBLIC USE!!! Casino use was a little more than leaving it as is: 18.8% and 17.7%. Now, to the rest of us: will the City Council pay any attention to this? Or will they just amble along on the path of destruction, eager to please a group of guys all slicked up in suits and ties eager to sell the boa and Mayor on their schemes. These guys just showed up and yet the City Council is eager to choose them over us. And those guys in suits will be the winners. And maybe some of the Council members. What are they getting for all this? A land swap? A chunk of cash? Surely a free night or two at a New Orleans casino. Who knows. But it must be something mighty fine.
The Democrat online polls are a joke.
The Democrat "online polls" aren't a scientfic study but at least it's one entity which is seeking public opinion. So "anonymous" what does your survey reveal? When has this city government asked one single question regarding public opinion? And, if you look at history and the state of affairs in other countries, states, cities, towns, you will see that a citizenry exists when leaders seek public opinion, invite public participation. Otherwise, it's the rule of Power rather than the Rule of Law. And, that spells disaster for a democracy and eventually the demise of democracy.
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