Gambling isn’t a solution, it’s a growing problem
Gambling isn’t a solution, it’s a growing problem
EDITOR:
The problem: Citizens so addicted to the multiple gambling attractions that they have no money to pay taxes or to contribute to charity or church support.
Suggested remedy: Increase the gambling opportunities.
In the November 2009 issue of First Things, a survey of Religion, Culture and Public Life a study called “Gambling With Lives” by Maura J. Casey presents an in-depth review of the problem in the United States. Beginning in Connecticut, the nation’s third smallest state where two of the largest casinos in the world are found, she scans the country. There were no casinos in Connecticut before 1991.
There are now 405 Indian casinos in 28 states. Casino gambling involving slot machines has spread from 30 states in 2000 to 37 states in 2009.
Many promises or benefits are spoken of regarding gambling. Be wise not to believe the promises of good times to come. A closer look at social problems reveals that in Atlantic City locally owned businesses have dropped by half and beat-cops speak frankly about the rise in crime they have witnessed.
Las Vegas, then and now, struggles with high rates of suicides, dropouts, childhood problems and low educational attainment. Stubbornly high unemployment has persisted in the wake of casino gambling, even though thousands of jobs have been promised to be provided. This negative impact reflects continued decay of urban neighborhoods.
Problem gambling doubles within 50 miles of a casino. Consider the number of free drinks an hour available to gamblers. Because of this, significant rates of drunken driving have occurred. The government has become so beholden to casinos that it has no interest in exploring the downside of this industry. What price should we pay for addiction, embezzlement, child neglect, increased debt, drunken driving and suicide? A study of death certificates in Reno, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City found those cities had suicide rates that were up to four times higher than in cities of the same size.‚à
Organized religion was slow to challenge the spread and even today, rarely speaks out. Government has become predatory in its use of gambling as a worry free method of increasing revenue without taxes.
I must close by saying a habit is virtue but a bad habit is vice. Vices tend to become addictions and make a person vicious, marked by a tendency to worsen. Widespread gambling is a social problem. Charity is gambled. No wonder St. Vincent de Paul’s Wick Avenue store has closed with the money going to the ever growing state lottery.
What will others do? The losers, the casualties? They might get drunk on the free drinks offered and then “total” their car, killing one or two, as has happened. Perhaps they will go home and beat their wife or abuse their children.
Issue 3 is a sad bit of insane political initiative. You don’t mutilate the state constitution taking authority away from the people to create a private, exclusive monopoly for a few millionaires.
Father WILLIAM WITT
Austintown
Tightening the belt is fine, but don’t ignore value
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to the Oct. 20 letter to the editor that encouraged voters to “just say no” to more taxes. I would agree that there is an element of truth to this statement and that as our economy has weakened we all need to tighten our belts.
That being said, I would like to specifically address the Western Reserve School Levy that is on the November ballot. This is a renewal levy and does not increase the taxes already being paid by residents of the school district. As residents, we have an obligation to fund our schools and a renewal levy will maintain current levels of funding from the local community at a time when state funds are being cut.
The Western Reserve School District already spends 21 percent less per pupil compared to the state average. Compared within the tri-county area, 36 schools spend more per pupil while only eight spend less (State Board of Education statistics). Even on this tight budget, Western Reserve schools have received an excellent rating on state standards for eight straight years. With the decline in state funding, failure of this renewal levy in the November election would have a pronounced effect on the educational programs Western Reserve is able to provide its students.
The easiest decision in these economic times is to vote no on this renewal levy. However, the responsible decision is to support an administration that has been frugal with the money it has available while educating the youth of our community. Please vote yes for the Western Reserve schools levy renewal.
DEBORAH BENYO
Berlin Center
Demand fiscal accountability
EDITOR:
Regrettably, being a watchdog of taxpayer’s dollars is not Liberty Local School District’s forte because something notable happened when a performance audit was completed on the district that should be a major embarrassment to the members of the board, the administrators, the superintendent, and an insult to the taxpayers of Liberty Township. The audit in detail explained how and where to save $1.2 million of the residents’ tax dollars. In the audit, the LLSD treasurer reported that even with renewals of the 7.9- and 3.1-mill levies, the deficit would swell to approximately $11.7 million by FY 2012-13. Fellow residents, to buy our way out of this (if possible) will cause indisputable hardships to Liberty’s tax base leaving no household untouched for years, if not decades.
Asking senior citizens on fixed incomes and low to middle income homeowners who may be a check away from foreclosure, bankruptcy, or unemployment to find money they don’t have, is as ludicrous as the organization that supported the levy in the spring election saying, “We should pass the levy for Walmart.” In monthly meetings, I asked the board numerous times, “How did you get in this financial mess?” and their answer was always a blank stare. Noting that administrative costs are more than double the peer average, a resident’s request asking the board to discontinue the special bonus given to administrative members was met with, “We don’t want to demoralize them.” I asked the board to forgo the levy in lieu of the economic conditions and numerous home foreclosures. “We get it, we all get it,” says the board president, and then they proceeded to a unanimous vote to place the new 9.9-mill levy back on the November ballot.
Finally, of the $53 billion set aside in the federal government stimulus package to retain teachers for the next two years because of property tax losses, Ohio received over $1.9 billion and hopefully it gives the receiving school districts enough time to get their acts together. Until then, I encourage all Liberty voters to say no, again to this levy. Don’t make the vote of those who support the levy worth more than yours.
EDWARD E. PALUMBO Jr.
Liberty Township
Invest in Austintown
EDITOR:
I am an Austintown parent, an Austintown business owner, and an Austintown resident. In addition, I was born, raised and educated in Austintown schools. They built my foundation to move on to higher education and reach my goals. We have a chance to give back to our children what our parents gave to us — a good education in modern learning environments. Every student in the Austintown schools deserves the best education we can provide.
On the Nov. 3 ballot, Austintown schools have a very important 2.9-mill bond Issue for our consideration.
It will finance new schools to replace old, deteriorating schools built in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s and provide the latest technology and teaching environments.
The state of Ohio will pay 47 percent (or $23 million) of the total cost of the project if we act now. The money won’t likely be available later.
Construction jobs over three to five years will boost Austintown’s economy and businesses.
Taxpayers will save $500,000 in operating costs due to the centralized Falcon Campus.
Can Austintown taxpayers afford to pass this opportunity up? No.
The ballot specifically states 2.4 mills for the bond issue and a half mill for improvements required for these new buildings only in the future. The Ohio School Facilities Commission mandates schools that receive state money to include this initiative. The money generated by this bond issue can only be used for the construction of the new schools. This is not an operating levy for teachers’ salaries, etc.
The Austintown school bond issue proposes the construction of two new schools and the demolition of five elementary buildings and one intermediate building and returning the “old” sites to green. This 2.9 mill bond issue will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $7.40 per month (about $0.25 per day). In return, the community will attract more families to Austintown, raising our home values.
Voters of Austintown, please consider the benefits of this bond issue and vote yes for our children, for our schools, for our community and for our future.
LORI A. GAVALIER
Austintown