The Leaders of a North Carolina Town Speak Out Against Potential Harm from Casinos
Local authorities in a town neighboring potential casino developers claim their residents' opinions need consideration before approving a Las Vegas-style resort.
The town of Summerfield recently submitted a resolution urging officials from adjacent Rockingham County to enact an ordinance. This ordinance would specify that a commercial casino resort could only operate within the county if endorsed by local voters through a public referendum.
Recent news indicated state legislators were exploring the possibility of allowing commercial casinos in Rockingham, Anson, and Nash counties. North Carolina State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) is said to be spearheading the gambling initiative, discussions for which have primarily remained hidden from the public.
The General Assembly is currently in session to finalize a state budget. Berger reportedly deliberates attaching the gaming statute to the budget bundle. However, this has enraged several regional leaders and residents where casinos might be authorized.
Nash County's Board of Commissioners have already passed a referendum for a casino if the state approves one. This ordinance is merely ceremonial since the General Assembly would need to encompass the local endorsement section in the casino law for it to influence whether the casino is ratified in the Rocky Mount county.
Towns Call for State Inclusion
Leaders in the three regions where Berger and other state lawmakers allegedly support gambling have expressed frustration over being excluded from the legislative discussions. Even though Summerfield is located in Guilford County, it is just south of the Rockingham border.
The Summerfield mayor, Tim Sessoms, said they decided to ask the North Carolina General Assembly to give the people of Rockingham County a chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
Guilford leaders anticipate that Rockingham's appointed board, with Berger's son Kevin Berger as the chair of the commissioners, may not take an active stance and refuse to advocate on behalf of their constituents. They fear this may result in a lack of representation at the state level regarding the feasibility of building casinos.
The Summerfield resolution declares: "The Town of Summerfield recognizes the Legislature's support of rural tourism and related incentives, but is concerned about media reports of substantial early North Carolina General Assembly support of broader legislation that would allow casinos, entertainment districts, and Class III gaming activities on non-tribal lands without local input." The Town Council, on behalf of Summerfield, "supports granting North Carolina citizens the opportunity for local referendums concerning specific locations for casinos, entertainment districts, and Class III gaming activities on non-tribal lands across North Carolina."
Rising Controversy
Robbie Davis, chair of the Nash County Board of Commissioners, shared his belief that controversial issues should ultimately be put to a popular vote. Northeastern residents share this view, as many are not eager to welcome a gambling establishment in their neighborhood.
"It should certainly be voted on," commented Summerfield resident Franklin Stuar to WFMY CBS News 2. "That's how the system works."
The Christian Action League, an advocacy organization based in Raleigh, has also expressed disapproval toward the casino endeavor. In a statement, League Executive Director Rev. Mark Creech characterized casinos as a venture that enables one group to exploit and enslave citizens through addiction.
"Gambling is an enterprise that allows one segment of our citizens to exploit and even enslave another for financial gain," Creech argued. "The enterprise infringes on the rights and freedoms of two-thirds of the public who almost never gamble, yet are forced to bear the cost of a lower standard of living that gambling always leaves behind."
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Source: www.casino.org
