THE PUBLIC MIND: LURE OF GAMBLING NOT THE TRUE PICTURE

To the editor:

I have recently seen the ads on TV and in the newspaper encouraging people to vote yes on June 8. I find the campaign for riverboat gambling very deceiving. The TV ads are especially so.

These ads on TV don't say anything about gambling. In fact, until the end of the ad, you have no idea what it is for. And even at the end of all it says is "Vote yes June 8." They don't even say what you are voting yes on.

The Boyd Group is trying to entice the people of Cape Girardeau into accepting something that it is not all that it is cracked up to be. They are handing us a beautiful gold box covered in jewels promising even better treasure inside. However, if we choose to take that box, when we open it we will find it full of rotting trash.

The pretty gold box is the lure of tourist dollars in Cape. But inside lies increased crime, political corruption, and the loss of local businesses.

The Boyd Group claims that crime won't increase. The St. Louis Post Dispatch in October 1992 reported that Alton, Ill., has seen an increase in prostitution, drug use, rowdy parties and vandalism. In 10 years, from 1978 to 1988, Atlantic City saw crime rise by 380 percent. The Cripple Creek Gold Rush on Aug. 20, 1992 reported that in Cripple Creek, Colo., felonies are up 65 percent and DUIs are up 87 percent.

I hope the people of Cape Girardeau will not be deceived into accepting something that is not good for our city. Cape is a wonderful place to live and I would hate to see that go down the drain because of an illusion. Please vote no on June 8.

Sincerely,

Rita Kuntz

Cape Girardeau