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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMFebruary 10, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
Casino-Free Philadelphia - Press Release
February 10, 2007 * www.CasinoFreePhila.org
Media Contact:
Daniel Hunter, cell 267-825-0807
(Media welcome to the post-signature gathering event at 5:00pm at Jake's Pizza at Broad & Race Street; 201 N. Broad Street. Volunteers from across the city will come to share stories, get petitions notarized, and get a tally count for the day.)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – After being told the city was powerless to stop casinos, citizens are shifting the political landscape with a rarely used referendum campaign and a lot of effort.
Over 100 citizens will gather signatures across the city -- including Center City, West Philly, Mt. Airy, North Philly, Nicetown/East Falls, South Philly, Queen Village, Society Hill, Bella Vista, Pennsport, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, and Port Richmond. No stone will remain unturned in their effort to reach 20,000 signatures, the required amount for a citizen-initiated referendum.
Their goal: give voters the chance to decide on whether casinos should be built within 1,500 feet of a residential use facility.
Says coordinator Daniel Hunter, "This is one of the easiest petition drives I have ever been part of because our concept is simple. Should the people of Philadelphia have a say in one of the largest building projects in this city? Specifically, should they have the right to decide if a casino should be placed next to a house, school, church, mosque, or synagogue? We and the thousands joining with us say: yes."
Casino-Free Philadelphia's lawyers worked carefully to devise a plan that uses the city's zoning control but in a way that does not directly challenge the state's use of Act 71. In the same way the city can say bars should not be placed right next to a school, so the city can make similar laws for casinos -- a much bigger, and less desirable neighbor to a school.
"This referendum would not say get rid of casinos in the city. Instead, it would make sure they are built away from people's homes and schools," said Jethro Heiko, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia. "Given the negative impacts of increased crime, traffic flow, gambling addiction, and alcoholism, this is more than reasonable."
And if the referendum gets on the ballot, the voters of Philadelphia can decide for themselves what they think. If they gather the 20,000 signatures -- which organizers think is certain -- then only nine City Council votes are needed to put the referendum on the May 15th ballot (otherwise it is twelve City Council votes).
"This campaign is democracy in action -- it is truly coming from the people. Volunteers from across the city have helped us collect signatures to make this happen. The last time we could find this particular referendum being used was in the 1976 campaign to prevent Rizzo from running for a third time," said Anne Dicker, an organizer with Casino-Free Philadelphia.
Teams will be dispersed throughout Saturday. Teams come from civic associations (almost a dozen), community groups, and even labor unions. The International Longshoreman's Association is organizing several teams across the city, led by Jim Paylor, National VP. So is City Council candidate Marc Stier. By Saturday night, organizers expect to have achieved their 20,000 goal.
Their petition drive ends officially on Saturday, though some will continue collecting until the final deadline of Tuesday, February 13.
Teams will be stationed in:
- Mt. Airy
- West Philadelphia
- North Philadelphia (including Nicetown and East Falls)
- South Philadelphia (including Queen Village, Society Hill, Bella Vista, Pennsport)
- Northern Liberties, Fishtown and Port Richmond
- Center City
Groups that have put effort towards the petition drive include:
- International Longshoreman's Association
- Two locals of DC47, Tom Cronin, and CLUW
- Pennsport Civic Association
- East Passyunk Crossing
- Whitman Council
- Passyunk Square Civic Association
- Pennsport Civic Association
- Northern Liberties Neighbors Association
- Queen Village Neighbors Association
- Fishtown Neighbors Association
- Society Hill Neighbors Association
- Bella Vista United Civic Association
- Philly for Change
- Neighborhood Networks
- New Kensington CDC
- Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront
- Design for Social Impact
- South East PA ADA
Casino Free Philadelphia is a network of civic, community, and small business working to protect Philadelphia’s neighborhoods from the negative impact of the casinos. More at: www.CasinoFreePhila.org
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