Vote 4-1 in favour of possible casino
Posted Mar 6, 2013 04:41:07 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A casino in Woolwich Township is now a very real possibility.
Council voted Tuesday night 4-1 to proceed with informing the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation that the town is interested in being considered a host site for a new gaming facility.
The decision was made after more than three hours of public delegations and debate amongst councillors.
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The overwhelming majority of speakers said they were not in favour of a casino.
Most believe the revenue generated will not outweigh the possible social problems, including increased crime, the attraction of drugs, and gambling addictions.
Mark Bauman was the only councillor to oppose the motion.
Bauman pointed out that 62 per cent of responses to a mail-out poll were in opposition.
“How am I supposed to write a letter to the OLG, confirming the township’s support?” he asked, drawing an outburst of applause from the public in attendance.
Council also heard from Regional Police chief Matt Torigian, who said there really aren’t any hard statistics to show whether crime would or would not increase with the presence of a gaming facility in the community.
Brantford Mayor Chris Friel spoke of the benefits casino revenue brought his community.
But he also cautioned council, “a casino will not save [a community], but it won’t stop developers from coming, either.”
Friel stressed that council not put the revenue into its operating budget, saying “you don’t pay your mortgage on gaming losses.”
Council was considering using the revenue generated to address the infrastructure deficit.
But the motion that was passed included an amendment from Councillor Bonnie Bryant that the revenue would be set aside to a reserve fund, for use in the capital budget, social service funding, etc.
Regional Chair Ken Seiling, speaking as a citizen, expressed his opposition to council as well.
“I’m embarrassed that out of Waterloo Region’s seven municipalities, my home is the only township putting this issue on the table.”
Seiling tells 570 News he is very disappointed with council’s decision.
“All the other municipalities in this region have closed the door, to date, and I don’t think there’s any reason Woolwich needs to leave the door open.”
Many spoke on the tradition of the people of Woolwich, and Seiling says a casino doesn’t reflect their values at all.
“Woolwich Township cannot be bought,” he stated.
One woman told council the people of Woolwich don’t expect or need handouts, and that they work for what they have.
She added, “We are not a community that takes ‘freebies’.”
Another woman tells 570 News she was on a committee that kept 800 slots away from the community over a decade ago.
“I can’t understand . . . a council who thinks this is going to be good for the people here in Woolwich,” she said.
But there were a few that spoke in favour of council at least leaving the issue on the table to talk about.
Kyle Young tells 570 News an idea shouldn’t be killed before it comes to fruition.
He says there is no real plan in place yet, and he “whole-heartedly” believes council made the correct decision.
Young asked, “Are we willing to at least investigate other revenues to bring into the township to help … fund development … sports, infrastructure, etc.?”
Another man told council that some view money spent on gambling as entertainment, the same way someone might spend money on a hockey or theatre ticket.
Mayor Todd Cowan says it’s important to put a discussion like this on the table.
He says the feedback he is getting on the issue is a 50-50 split.
Cowan says he hopes everyone in Woolwich realizes they have opened the doors, and their ears, to discussion.
Cowan will appear on the Gary Doyle Show on 570 News Wednesday morning at 9:30.
Gerry Forler of the Concerned Citizens Against Gambling, will also speak with Doyle Wednesday.
And Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr will bring a motion to the regional council table Wednesday, asking the OLG to consult with regional government on a possible casino, and revenue sharing among all seven municipalities.
