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REPRINTED FROM THENEXTMAYOR.COMApril 6, 2007 press release, (submitted via e-mail) |
Casino-Free Philadelphia - Media Alert!
April 6, 2007 * www.CasinoFreePhila.org
Media Contact:
Daniel Hunter, 267-825-0807
PHILADELPHIA -- Today over five-hundred people wrote with outrage to Governor Rendell, asking him to rope in the out-of-control Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The board recently attempted to remove the casino ballot question, initated by Casino-Free Philadelphia.
Letters were sent to Governor Rendell because he appointed several of the members of the PA Gaming Control Board. Part of the letter requests of him, "Democracy is too important to allow this injustice to happen. We call on you to defend our right to vote and stop the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board from going ahead with this misguided and potentially illegal attempt."
As of 3:30pm over 508 letters have been sent, just a few hours after posting the sign-on letter on their website.
Volunteer Kathy Dilonardo of Casino-Free Philadelphia says of the rapid outpouring, "The Gaming Control Board has made one more poor decision after another. They put a 5,000 slot parlor casino 100 feet away from people's houses and another with 24/7 unlimited free drinks on one of the most backed up traffic areas in the city. They seem to only make poor decisions."
Adds Jethro Heiko, coordinator of Casino-Free Philadelphia, "The resounding response by citizens shows that people see through this charade. It's a corrupt process that brought us these poor choices. Philadelphia deserves better."
Wrote one resident, "I have always supported you while you were Mayor. Please don't side with this illegal injustice that the gaming control board is trying to place on the citizens of your city. We are not trying to stop casinos from being built, just not placed so close to homes, schools, chruches, etc. where they will be a huge hinderance to every day life for the residents who have to live where that pompous gaming board selected (without any input from us)."
Copies are mostly being faxed and e-mailed to the Governor via Casino-Free Philadelphia's website: www.CasinoFreePhila.org.
Last night, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board attempted to prevent a referendum on casinos to go to Philadelphia voters. The PA Gaming Control Board claims that they have been vested with "sole authority to determine the location of such facilities" and therefore can overturn City Council's decision to put a referendum on the ballot.
Casino-Free Philadelphia is confident the PGCB's attempt to shortcuit the democratic process will fail in court.
The ballot question, if passed by voters on May 15th, would prevent casinos from being built within 1,500 feet of residential neighborhoods, schools, and places of worship. The measure would leave several sites around the Betsy Ross Bridge, the Navy Yard, and the two airports.
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