Archive for October, 2009
Scene Tries to Balance Plain Dealer Issue 6 Coverage
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Economic Development, Media, Politicians on October 28, 2009
The Cleveland Scene this week offers some antidote to the noxious coverage of The Plain Dealer on Cuyahoga County reform. Issue 6 ain’t the joy ride into the sunset that the paper would like us to believe.
Issue 6 may be a sunset on real reform.
The Scene’s cover really tells it all: A photo of a menacing hand gun pointed at you. The title: “Give Us Your County and No One Gets Hurt – The story behind the Issue 6 power grab.” Couldn’t say it better.
The article by Damian Guevara (I’m becoming a fan) gives us, if not more facts than the Pee Dee has produced, a better slant on the power issues so crucial to the essence of the new County government Issue 6 would bring to us. You can find it here:
http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/give-us-your-county-and-no-one-gets-hurt/Content?oid=1702408
Veteran reporter Anastasia Pantsios writes a piece that debunks the idea the Pee Dee has tried to sell that Issue 6 offers essentially the same kind of reform that Summit County adopted. The title tells it: “Issue 6’s Bait & Switch – Summit County: different process, different result.” Her piece can be found here:
http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/issue-6s-bait-and-switch/Content?oid=1702471
Both reporters note the influence of corporate interests in the design and execution of the Issue 6 ballot choice facing voters next Tuesday.
If you want to give the Parma gang – headed by county prosecutor Bill Mason – power over the County vote yes on Issue 6.
If you want to wait for a better deal on county reform, vote NO on Issue 6.
Does Atlantic City Have a Message to Ohio Voters?
Posted by Roldo Bartimole in Economic Development on October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009… “Today, Atlantic City, in the eyes of one gambling executive, Tim Wilmott, is in a ‘death spiral,’” that’s the tone of a Sunday New York Times piece on the financial troubles of the city’s casinos.
“Rows of slot machines stand eerily empty,” says the story while hotel rooms are empty. Many casinos have experienced double digit revenue drops, the report said.
The article is far from a hatchet job. However, it does have a cautionary message to Cleveland and other Ohio cities where casinos would go if Issue 3 is passed.
Cleveland will be rolling the dice next Tuesday when voters go into the booths to cast a vote that would give a billionaire a monopoly board contract for a Cleveland casino.
“The economic slowdown has shown that the gambling industry is not quite as recession-proof as was so long believed,” it said of Atlantic City.
And you might like to remember as you go into that booth the promise of Atlantic City’s gambling sales people:
“Billed as a ‘great experiment’ in urban redevelopment, legalized gambling was pitched to voters as an effort to reverse Atlantic City’s long decline…”
Sound familiar?
Over-expansion of gambling opportunities, along with bad economic times, has taken its toll on the business. Just as there are too many shopping centers there are too many gambling spots.
“Retirees who once hopped on buses to Atlantic City to play slots for a few hours can now happily play much closer to home – in eastern Pennsylvania or the New York Metro area, for example,” said the article.
Another problem mentioned: Debt. Interest payments have been missed and the inability to raise money for newer casinos.
And crime.
The article also cites arguments about how casino taxes are being used and who gets the benefit.
Here’s a link to the long article:
Finally, “However well intentioned these efforts, some industry analyst have a tough time imagining just what Atlantic City or its casino operators can do to pull the town out of its rut.”
I guess I view a Dan Gilbert casino as an invitation to crime, an invitation to more government subsidies for roads, a hotel and other infrastructure needs, and an invite to politicians to find new avenues of helping their friends.
Don’t gamble on gambling.