THE PUBLIC MIND: OPPONENTS CAN'T LOSE: IF IT'S BUILT, THEY WON'T HAVE TO USE IT

To the Editor:

Now let's see if I can cut to the chase.

A group we'll call (#1) wants to pump millions into a declining area of the downtown riverfront, build new parking, restaurant and docking facilities (maybe several high-rise condos and a hotel complex later on), provide places of entertainment, employ thousands and increase the city treasury by millions a year, while bringing nearly 3,000 tourists daily to spend money in our fair city ...

Oh, yes, and make a profit, from a floating casino.

Now, an opposition group, we'll call (#2) made up of people who would never avail themselves of any of the proposed services, who never buy a lottery or raffle ticket, play bingo or send in an Ed McMahon sweepstakes card, want us to say no to the above proposal. Why? Because they think it will bring in an "evil element" ... as if it wasn't here and has been for years.

It's just the same old thing: One group thinks it knows what's best for everybody else. I wonder if any of them ever go out of town to find entertainment, really need a job, live down by the river, or avoid driving in that part of town. It seems to me they can't lose: If it's voted down they won't have it to use, and if it's built they won't have to use it.

You know what? I'll bet (pardon the pun) that Las Vegas has ~churches, schools and maybe ... even decent people. What do you think?

Vote "yes" and have a choice.

C. Dean Winstead

Cape Girardeau