Casino still a long shot

Former Wichita Mayor Bob Knight, Park City Mayor Dee Stuart and Foxwoods Development official Gary Armentrout have scheduled a press conference this morning in Wichita. They will propose combining the best of the state’s gaming proposals.
Opinion surveys show that area residents support expanded gaming and think it’s the best way to pay for increased school funding. But without the backing of members of the Wichita City Council, Sedgwick County Commission and our legislative delegation — who don’t seem to care what the public wants or how many jobs a destination casino could create — the Park City project’s odds remain slim.
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

5 Comments

  1. L M Coats
    Posted June 14, 2005 at 7:17 am | Permalink

    Why in heaven’s name does the mayor and city council feel so ego driven that they must block Park City’s casino because it’s not what they thought of? My tax dollars are feeling a mighty heavy burden with all the city give-aways. Please, city council, do something smart and get on board with the Park City proposal.

  2. bradley gamber
    Posted June 14, 2005 at 8:23 am | Permalink

    Why is it whenever there is a discussion on development or how to raise more money a casino is considered the answer? Can we not use our imaginations and think bigger and better? If Park City wants to build a casino then let them and let them deal with the headaches that go along with having one. Wichita is better than a gaudy casino.

  3. JTH
    Posted June 14, 2005 at 9:32 am | Permalink

    I feel that Park City should go ahead with its casino plans. I for one would be glad for it to come here. As for Mayor Mayans and the incompetent Wichita city council, I will be working hard to get them beaten in the next election.

  4. Joe Williams
    Posted June 14, 2005 at 10:37 am | Permalink

    I agree that a Casino is not the answer. It will help, but what happens during the next financial crisis? The government is extending itself way to far, and it will once again have financial problems. They have raised taxes, taxed everything, raised fees, provided a lottery, race tracks, liquor-by-the-drink, now removing Sunday blue laws, then we need a Casino.

    I guess during the next cash crunch we can legalize prostitution. Has anybody ever thought about entrepreneurship and business development?

    Park City can have its Casino. Let them deal with the pan-handlers, scammers, and drunks there.

  5. D Collins
    Posted June 14, 2005 at 8:48 pm | Permalink

    The pan-handlers, scammers, drunks and worse will all be from Wichita. Wichita will all pick up the tab without any tax help from casinos unless we either kill it or learn to control it. Knights plot is probably the worst. Totally open casinos to any Kansas corporation would be the best. Killing it would be even better.