Casino opponents mobilize in St. Louis County

ST. LOUIS -- With public meetings and prayer vigils, some opponents in south St. Louis County are challenging proposals for a new casino.

"None of us are of the mind-set that casinos or gambling are bad," though prospects of a gambling site not far from a south St. Louis County elementary school aren't acceptable, said Debbie Wirtel, a mother organizing parents opposed to the plan.

Wirtel, 41, worries about increased traffic, and said she believes after looking into the subject that gambling can contribute to societal problems, including crime and bankruptcy.

Harrah's Entertainment and Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. have pitched separate casinos south of the Jefferson Barracks Bridge, including those that concern Wirtel. Pinnacle Entertainment proposed a site in Lemay, south of the River des Peres, which also is drawing some opposition.

St. Louis and St. Louis County decided to pursue casinos together to help each another get better proposals, and two of the companies also pitched downtown casinos.

So far, the plans in the city have not sparked the same concern as the plans in the county.

On Jan. 15, a selection committee is scheduled to recommend one of the proposals to the St. Louis County Port Authority. The County Council then would recommend a site to the Missouri Gaming Commission, which has the final word.

Mike Ryan, the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association's executive director, noted that the casinos advanced their plans after they were requested from St. Louis and St. Louis County.

"The casinos are responding to a proposal. They are not pushing their way into the communities," Ryan said. Ryan pointed out benefits from casinos, like contributing funds to elementary and secondary schools, helping to provide communities with tax revenue and employing thousands in the state.

Denny Hettenhausen first founded Rally Against Gambling Expansion, or RAGE, four years ago when there was a proposal for a south St. Louis County casino.

Hettenhausen, 45, said Friday the group has organized again; she's contacted about 100 churches trying to organize 40 days of prayer vigils, which began on New Year's Eve.

She said people are being asked to protect their neighborhoods and families.

"When the casino comes into a neighborhood, it puts the temptation right there," she said.

A public meeting is planned for Jan. 17 at the Royale Orleans banquet center in Lemay for those trying to keep a casino out of south St. Louis County.