Sunday, September 30, 2012

The Casino Question?

While some are using robocalls as a method of getting a quick read on whether Hamiltonians support the prospect of casino gambling in the core, Mayor Bratina's  latest blog post (see it here), cautions against simplying the question.

 As the Mayor points out, distilling the issue into a question makes the phrasing of that question particularly important. Further, he seems to suggest that capturing the various options of gambling venues, may not be achievable through the phrasing of a question. 

 He writes " There are a number of views held by citizens regarding casino gambling in Hamilton:

 Eliminate gambling altogether.
Keep the current operation at Flamborough
Keep the Flamborough operation only if it helps sustain horse racing.
Allow casino proposals for any location.
Allow casino proposals for any location except downtown.

 This creates a problem in phrasing a question to use in the public input process required by the Province. The question, “do you approve of a casino in Hamilton” doesn’t encompass the five somewhat different positions identified above."

 The mayor further states that making the downtown a "no casino" zone, would likely not withstand a legal challenge, in that a Downtown Secondary Plan approved by council in 2005, allows for a casino as a potential possibility.  The Mayor suggests that simply saying No to a casino, would be irresponsible. He invites citizens to provide input by emailing him at  mayor@hamilton.ca and putting CASINO BLOG in the subject line.

 The Hamiltonian encourages citizens to provide the mayor with your input  as well as your local councillor. Please also feel free to express your views here. 

10 comments:

  1. Teresa. I would love to hear your views on Casinos. Maybe an op ed piece?

    ReplyDelete

  2. I am dead against casinos in Hamilton. I think that many of the politicians and pundents are supporting it for the following

    1. Remember when councilors were asked to express their view on what our vision is- the best place to raise a child? I don't think any of them really were convincing. So, because we don't have a real vision, anything gets looked at.

    2. We already have a lot of poverty. A Casino will break up homes, give people false hope and have the people who most need to learn how to manage money, blow it.

    3. It will make the city seedier.

    4. How does a casino fit with "The Best Place to Raise a Child?".

    Severn

    ReplyDelete

  3. I support a casino. Downtown would be best. We will probably lose racing at flamboro and we would lose €$5million to the city with no casino. And lots of jobs. Saying no to a casino will not stop people from gambling, either online, illegal casinos, lotto, bingos.

    ReplyDelete
  4. SerendipityOctober 01, 2012

    I fail to understand how a 1997 Referendum resulted in citizens voting nay to a casino in the City.
    Yet, "a Downtown Secondary Plan approved by council in 2005, allows for a casino as a potential possibility."

    Three questions come to mind:
    1) How did council approve a casino for Downtown in light of the '97 referendum?
    2) Once a referendum has taken place, how long does the voting decision stand?
    3) Does the 1997 Referendum have any legal legs at all?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Srendipity. Don't assume that public consultation is taken as seriously as it should be. I think many decisions are made long before anyone decides to ask the public. Some councillors still don't even have websites. What does that tell you about how interested they really are in public opinion?

      Delete
    2. SerendipityOctober 01, 2012

      Anon., are you saying that the '97 referendum resulting in Hamiltonians voting not to have a casino in Hamilton was nothing more than public consultation?
      City Hall decision-making prior to citizen engagement aside (and understood and agreed), I would love to hear some legal opinions regarding the '97 vote and if the past vote could be argued to be valid today.

      Delete

  5. Saying online gambling is the same as having a casino nearby, is silly. Nesflash, some poor people cannot even afford an internet connection.

    ReplyDelete

  6. Good to see that The Hamiltonian still has respect for the office of the mayor. Council can learn a thing or two about respect.

    ReplyDelete

  7. Politically the most likely outcome of all this is Flamborough Downs ends up as a full service casino similiar to the one in brantford but with horse racing. It avoids the inconvience of having another referendum and it is in a Liberal riding.

    ReplyDelete

  8. In my opinion, the casions should be allowed to operate. Those who don't want it should simply stay away from it.
    Liv Boeree

    ReplyDelete

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