At least one elected official isn’t holding back her frustration at Tuesday’s gaming vote results. “I am really disappointed,” Wichita Vice Mayor Sharon Fearey (in photo) told The Eagle editorial board. “I think Sumner County is laughing all the way to the bank.”
Fearey said gaming supporters didn’t do a good job of educating the public about the economic benefits. “We’re losing a heck of a lot of property taxes,” she said of the loss of the proposed $225 million casino, which she said — contrary to opponents’ claims — would have provided some money for local schools. And she pointed to a 2004 study that said a Wichita casino would provide 1,155 jobs. “It’s a huge missed opportunity.”
Fearey also expressed annoyance with the high moral tone of the casino opponents. “Are the people of Wyandotte County less moral than us? Or, for heaven’s sake, the people of Sumner?”
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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70 Comments
This is the leadership of Wichita that forms an opinion that the NO vote was based purely on moral issues?
I would like to see a listing of those 1155 jobs. Let’s do a before and after count.
Do all Vice Mayors have this high judgmental tone of its constituents or was it the disappointment of not getting the Casino pocket lining that got the Vice Mayor out of sorts?
Too late! Too bad, so sad. She doesn’t earn any gold stars for the effort.
She helped defeat a downtown Casino with her statements.
Local politicians didn’t stand tall and loud wanting the Casino. No one on the City Council.
Dee got Welsheimer but the County Council collectively was too silent.
Their idea for a Coliseum located Casino was stupid. Muddied things up.
City Council got scared of downtown CEO’s threatening to move their companies.
I wanted to see if that could happen without the employees wanting to move.
If the Casino is huge success in Sumner County, everyone on the City Council should be voted out of the jobs.
Losing a $300 Million dollar development is worth that.
I haven’t researched Topeka, Wyandotte County, or Olathe discussions, what they think of Wichita losing the Casino vote.
Wichita has a image problem in this state.
I once lived in a small town in Oklahoma, the Coors company because there were natural springs through the area wanted to put in a disturber/ brewing plant in this small town. The town was dieing, at one time the population was around twenty five thousand. But had dropped to around 1,300. Jobs were about nonexistent, many had to drive at least 65 miles one way to Oklahoma city just to support their families.
Overwhelmingly the city council vote to reject the offer, there were seven Churches active for a town of 1.300 people. A law that made it illegal to DANCE even in your own home within the city limits.All the members of the city council except one were members of the Assembly of God church, the one who was not was a member of the Southern Baptist church.
It is said that to have faith in God demands a lack of reason and common sense. But to what extent?Kansas when those that pushed for the No vote celebrated by shouting “GOD HAS WON!”. That is a pretty good indication as to what the motivation for their push was.
All kinds of jobs are lost; I will give you a small list to start with.Since casinos usually provide entertainment they have a wide assortment of occupations.Especially if you have a large entertainment venue going on.Such as set builders, set builders consist ofCarpentersElectriciansPaintersArtistsSound techniciansLighting techniciansStage handsCoordinatorsEtc.
Then you have
Performing ArtistsChoreographersDirectorsProducersTeletype CastersCamera operatorsPhotographersAnd you have all the other support groups that it takes to put on a show including the pizza guy that brings lunch.Btw, where were our government leaders on this when the campaigns were going on?
According to the lead-in above, Sharon Fearey says gambling supporters didn’t do a good job of educating the public about “economic benefits” of casinos.
Sorry, Councilperson Fearey, there would be NO economic benefits of a gambling casino to Sedgwick County. This is not Las Vegas where gamblers would come pouring in from other places. Didn’t you take a basic economics course in college?
GAMBLING CASINOS ARE ESSENTIALLY A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PYRAMID SCHEME ORGANIZED TO DRAIN EASY PROFITS AND MORE TAXES FROM THE PUBLIC.
A big red flag should be raised in your mind when you realize the gambling casino industry produces nothing of value except ringing of bells and whistles, flashing of neon lights, occasional sounds of coins being dispensed to some “lucky winner.”
THE NON-GAMBLING PUBLIC WOULD PAY FOR A MYRIAD OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT WOULD RESULT SUCH AS BANKRUPTCIES, DIVORCES, CLOSED BUSINESSES, ETC. MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS WOULD NOT REACH A LEVEL TO BE OFFERED “COUNSELING” BY THE HIGHLY TOUTED “GAMBLING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.”
I notice gambling supporters such as Councilperson Sharon Fearey … are looking to profit in some way from the gambling industry. For example, Council woman Sharon Fearey would see more income to city and county governments through more property taxes and perhaps sales taxes, and possibly some split from the casino itself … I don’t remember the split.
BECAUSE GAMBLING PRODUCES NO PRODUCT, THE INCOME OVER OPERATING COSTS IS PURE PROFIT. AND THESE “PROFITS” ARE USUALLY DIVIDED UP IN THE WEE HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND SHUTTLED RAPIDLY TO THE VARIOUS RECEPIENTS — YES, LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE OVERNIGHT TRAIN DEPOT IN NEWTON TO BE SENT ON ITS WAY TO LAS VEGAS OR CHICAGO.
So, Sharon Fearey, quit trying to classify the anti-gambling voters as right-wing religious zealots and left wing liberals.
THE NO VOTERS ARE ACTUALLY THE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF SEDGWICK COUNTY WHO SEE DANGERS IN AN INDUSTRY THAT PRODUCES NOTHING AND NO PRODUCT. THE NO-GAMBLING VOTERS ARE THE INTELLIGENT CITIZENS WHO UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC PRINCIPLE THAT: “THERE’S NO FREE LUNCH.”
Sharon Fearey, perhaps you should re-think your position and join the majority of Sedgwick County citizens now that the shoe is on the other foot.
Obviously those folks in Sumner are a bunch of heathens! As you drive south on K-15 you notice that the moral climate goes down the further south you go. First Bomber Burger (who ever heard of a burger stand that serves beer?), then Michelle’s Beach House and assorted tattoo parlours and by the time you get to Wellington, sin city!
Perhaps if any of them had actually been to a casino, they’d see exactly how packed full it is all the time with people who fully expect to spend some money. I think every license plate known to man is parked in Topeka’s. 24 hour restaurants, CONVENTION HALLS, valets.
But these same NO voters would jump with glee at a minimum wage paying company with 6 employees!
I don’t get it–why is God against gambling anyway?
It strikes me that Wellington is the right place for the casino.
When church people get more than 50 miles away from home they will do anything!
In all due respect writerdog, we are talkling one Casino and compared to the Vegas Casino, a small one. There won’t be a need for all that show related personnel when only 4th rate acts are going to be shown.==================PMom,
Have you been to a Casino and just watched the people? I mean the big ones, where people line up at the Cash Advance machine by the dozens on a regular bases, dumping coins into slots while looking around (not realizing how much they are losing), looking surprised when the roulette Captain rakes their chips in and say “thank you.”
Standing in a Casino watching for four hours and hearing no big wins, but lost of people throwing their hands up in the air because their wallets are empty.
Hearing your neighbors complain how they dropped 12K in Vegas last summer and then in the next sentence complain about paying their son’s tuition at college or whining about how their Garage apartment will never be completed because they just don’t have the funds.———————–Delsol,
If the concept of God is foreign to you, then the answer will be as well.
However, the “NO” votes in Sedgwick County were from more than God based voters.
I think the “YES” votes need to stop whining and accept the vote of the people of Sedgwick County.
On a serious note, won’t a lot of the people (electricians, carpenters, bricklayers) who would have worked building the casino in Wichita have the same opportunity to work on the project in Sumner county? After all, I worked as a construction worker in my earlier life and had to travel far beyond my local city. So those people are not exactly losing out completely, and they will be bringing their paychecks back into Sedgwick county to spend.
If someone from Sedgwick county wins big at the casino (and we have been told that all who go to casinos are winners!) won’t they bring that money home to spend in Sedgwick county?
Won’t the money that is moved around in a casino in Sumner county stay in Kansas, for the most part, and benefit all of us?
The vote is over. Instead of crying in our soup and making faces like we just ate sour grapes, it is time to move on and listen to people. The voters turned out in large enough numbers that we cannot say one group or another controlled the election due to apathy. We should listen and plan and shape our fair city accordingly, trying to make it better for all residents.
Just a correction Kansas, I was not the one talking about the jobs and the size of the place.
I brought up to your asking as to why it was assumed that those against it were basing it on moral issues? Though I do agree it would have brought jobs. Any place of business that opens brings jobs if it is large enough. I have only been to a small Casino in OKLA. I did not like it and that is why I have not been to another. Gambling is not my cup of tea! OK I do buy a Lottery ticket every week! But I totally got bored setting at a slot machine and the Bingo was moving too fast!
BUT as to it being a moral issues, I repeat and it should not be assumed anymore that when someone calls themselves a Christian that means they are moral. In particular those following the Gospel of prosperity being taught in some of the mega churches… Or a closed Western theme park! ( No names)
But when those in celebration of the defeat of the Casino vote were shouting “GOD WON!” it was a religious thing for them. I.E. a moral victory.
Oh and BTW I also agree with you. What ever the motivations, the vote failed and like the gay marriage thing it has to be accepted and up to other in the future to change it!
writerdog,
You saw how many of the voters that voted no shouting “God Won?” Was it 200, 500, 1000? What is the percentage of the voters that you didn’t see that never said a word, but just voted? 20,000, 30,000, 40,000?
I don’t disagree about Mega Churches, never been a member of one and wouldn’t want to be a member because they become “cultists” when they get of that size.
As I have written many times before the vote took place, “Many must lose before a few can win.”
That says it all about what Gambling actually is.
Sucks for the county government. But the jobs aren’t going to go away. Just like Kansas alluded to.
The Casino will just be right across the border from Sedgwick County. 8 miles from Wichita, 4 miles from Derby.
Of course it will not be as big or employee as many people as one would in downtown Wichita, but our local contracting trades will get some business out of it. Most people that will work at the Casino will be living in Wichita.
So it’s no big deal. At least the Wichita Metro Casino will stop the bleeding to Oklahoma. That is a good thing.
Convention traffic may be a little less, but the Wichita Metro Casino will have no problems busing people from Downtown Wichita to the Casino and back. Casinos do that all over Oklahoma.
In all actuality, for those who wanted a Casino, we still will get one. So it’s ok.
But I feel sorry for Sharon Fearey. Speaking on behalf of the Casino just painted a huge target on your back for the Jwinks and the Kahrs to come after you. You just have to read JWinks post to know that.
Watch your back Sharon. Jwink and Mark Kahrs are coming after you.
Sharon Fearey – If you were so big on the casino then you and the city council should have taken a position on it and campaigned for it. You should have networked with the city business leaders to get them to join the yes campaign. Where was the legwork by the city council to gain support for a casino in Wichita or Sedgwick County? That’s right it was nowhere to be seen.
You and the Eagle are so quick to blame the “no” win on religion but I think you need to look at who was saying no. It was the city business leaders, the Wichita Eagle, the Wichita chamber of commerce and many small businesses. It was not just the churches. There were several of the biggest businesses in this community that sent letters to its employees explaining why they should vote no. Those letters were not about religion.
There were those that voted no based on their religious belief and then there were those that voted on based on their understanding of economics.
Perhaps it would be wise for you (Sharon) to pay more attention to bringing groups to this city like the bowling league (which you just ignored). With that you bring true economic benefits to the city.
The vote was not just religious belief it was just as much economic belief.
While all religious people voted no, no. Sotheysaid is right. What brought the end to a Sedgwick County casino was the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Chandler, Meyers, De Boar, Wichita Eagle Editorial Board, which all didn’t want a Casino.
Those endorsements took it over the edge.
Moving right along —- how is the project / program to bring the composites industry to Wichita coming along — is any one paying attention to that? Or are have they been all tied up pinning the economic hopes and dreams on a casino.
I wonder how many of the cities on any of the “Best to Live In..” lists have casinos in the city or county?
The saddest part of the whole thing to me, as a taxpaying resident of Wichita, is that we’ve now eliminated the Des Moines model for success with respect to its downtown arena (Wells Fargo Arena).
The kind of clustering in downtown Des Moines, with the arena within reasonable commuting distance of Prairie Meadows racino in Altoona (a bedroom community of Des Moines), has been taken away from Wichita by Tuesday’s vote.
The bottom line is that Wichita has just removed a path to success for our downtown arena. We’ll now see how it all pans out.
It’s not surprising, I guess, that we’d hope for A (our downtown arena not becoming a white elephant) while rewarding B (Sumner County instead of Sedgwick). Wichita has very well ventilated feet, after all (ie, self-inflected bullet holes). Not smart, either.
JWink–
Mega dittos! You said it all.
I voted no because casinos suck, literally.
The suck money out of people’s pockets and out of the community.
It was purely a financial decision for many of us. We saw casinos as a net loss for Wichita.
You want to improve Kansas’ biggest city? Put the money that was going to go to the casino into WSU.
The big difference between Wichita and Manhattan and Lawrence–which are thriving–is that they have a major university and we have a little local college.
Sumner County NEEDS a casino. We don’t.
“So is Sumner County less moral than Sedgwick?”
Hey,What happens in Sumner stays in Sumner.
Terrorists are immoral so if Sedgewick County got more jobs then the terrorists win. Yeah, I understand. Now I need to eat more glue.
I didn’t vote, but was nevertheless pleased with the result. I have never supported casino gambling, anywhere, because I have never been satisfied that they generate enough added economic activity to pay their own social costs. And, anyway, I have long suspected that casinos, the downtown arena (which I think should have been voted down too), and most other city-subsidized private ventures are palliatives for Wichita’s underlying problem–its inability to keep high-tech business start-ups once they get beyond medium size.
Now we have the County commish. talking about raising taxes to make up the lost casino reveune to fund all their pet projects, like the expanded jail, which is odd becuase didn’t raise property taxes to pay for that already.
If Fearly was such a suppoter of a Casino she should have spoken up before the vote, not after it has been defeated
50,000 + are proud of Sharon Fearey for showing support of bringing more money in Wichita. We will remember you election day. Good job. We were in Topeka casino and they couldn’t understand the no vote. Had a great time there, saw a lot of different license tags a lot of out state tags.
Capn, I just think you’re dead wrong about this. And it pains me that you’d take the position of needing to decide what is best for others.
CITIZENS OF WICHITA:
You’ve been duped.
Who cares where people waste their money. Hell, the Taleban wing of the Repubs put 10% of their money into a mythological Christianist bingo game every Sunday. They may as well put it in a slot machine or Blackgack game. All with the same result.
Someone else will have the money…its still gone.
but the Bible says bingo good, slots bad
In her letter to the editor on Aug 3rd, Feary was clear that she was AGAINST a casino in downtown Wichita. Now she is crying because it didn’t pass after her ‘vote yes, but don’t put it in my back yard’ kind of lukewarm support? Pathetic.
http://www.kansas.com/205/story/138613.html
“The time has come for me to speak out and let citizens know where I stand on the casino issue. I am voting “yes” to allow a casino in Sedgwick County. I will not, however, use my Wichita City Council vote to support a casino in downtown Wichita.
A “yes” vote allows the city and the county to work together in the process of formulating the best location and determining what we can demand from the developers for our city. Following Wyandotte County’s example, we can add requirements of the developers for dollars to be put into things such as museums, parks, libraries, arts and schools. A “no” vote takes this opportunity away.
Sedgwick County and Wichita need to remain at the table. Voting “no” still means that a casino will be within 30 minutes of the city center. It also means that your voice and your elected officials’ voices are silenced in further decisions.
I do not believe that a downtown location fits the vision citizens of Wichita have for our downtown. We are on the way to developing a world-class downtown, and we should keep heading in the direction we have set.
A casino is coming. Make it the best for Sedgwick County. Vote “yes.”
SHARON FEAREY”
I agree with Capn.
I could have finished my degree at WSU with a lot less time or money than Southwestern or Friends, but I chose to go both places because they offer nontrad. students options that every other public school, and most of the private ones, in the state offer. Online degrees, plenty of online courses, caring about their nontrad. students, etc.
Last I saw, WSU boosted about how many (over half) of their students were nontrad., but they did very little to support or encourage more students. Is it any wonder that WSU is losing students while other Wichita schools are gaining, even when you have to pay 2x to 4x as much for the same degree?
WSU is upset with Cowley for lack of transfer students, but it doesnt encourage transfer students from Cowley so they are running Cowley out of town.
They could create a vo-tech/cc option similar to Hutch and some of the other county/city cc in the state that could feed straight into WSU if handled correctly.
This would create more jobs, better paying jobs, and local college opportunities for residences.
Add in online degrees and significant numbers of online courses to sweeten the deal to drag students from other campuses here (at least in the virtual online world).
Fearey said gaming supporters didn’t do a good job of educating the public about the economic benefits.
Here is another elected offical calling no voters stupid. Don’t sugar coat uneducated with anything else.
I guess if they physically hook something up to people’s brains, maybe they could have changed my mind after a few weeks of connectivity to the government view.
But short of that, I didn’t need any more education to make my decision.
Pendant in Des Moines, or from there?
Yeah, wonderful downtown Wells Fargo arena in Des Moines was not needed. It sits right next to the old arena Vet’s Auditorium. Taxpayer funded hockey and no one attends. 3 or 4 concerts a year. Big deal. $217 million to build.
And people complain about bridges and other infrastructure falling down yet we build these white elephants, why?
“I do not believe that a downtown location fits the vision citizens of Wichita have for our downtown. We are on the way to developing a world-class downtown, and we should keep heading in the direction we have set.
SHARON FEAREY”
I agreed with Feary. However, she and other casino supporters MADE THE DECISION to allow uncertainty about location – INCLUDING DOWNTOWN! Feary offered no assurance of any kind whatsoever that it would not have ended up downtown – EVEN CENTURY II.
No force of law, to bonded promises. Just “trust us”.
Sorry Sharon; I’m just totally out of trust. If you want to know who defeated the casino start by looking in a mirror. Then look around Council chambers and across Central at the County Commissioners.
Mrage – you helped defeat the casino. Congratulations!
To whomever it was upthread who was gloating that Kahrs would be “targeting” Councilwoman Fearey: Fearey is term limited, and won’t be running for City Council again.
Target away.
Walt Chappell where are you? This vote had to be a rip off. Just as you said in your race when the votes made in advance say one thing and then the final votes say another thing it has to rigged.
Walt Chappell why aren’t you out there calling this for what you see it as? The No people must have hacked into all of the machines and that allowed them to win. You said so just recently that you cannot be ahead in the advance voting and then lose when the other votes come in.
Walt Chappell come and save us! On the other hand, perhaps you really do not have anything (you did not have anything for the DA) and it is probably time for you to put up or shut up. Show us why this vote is a fraud Walt!
The whole election was the biggest waste of taxpayers money because all the NO idiots can’t seem to realize that we will still have a casino and with much greater limited benefit.
I had all kinds of things to sya about the recent events leading up to the NO NO results. But after reading all the blogxperts highly praised opinions of the whole mess, I have only one thing to say. Mr. JWINK, you are a complete and total idiot.
There is going to be a Casino folks. Not to worry!
The Wichita Metro Casino will be located just across the Sedgwick County Line near the Mulvane Turnpike Exit, or you can take Broadway through Haysville and be there in a snap. It’s about as much time as it would take driving to Park “Empty Buildings” City.
It’s going to be dubbed the Wichita Metro Casino. Not a Wellington Casino or Sumner County Casino.
“It’s going to be dubbed the Wichita Metro Casino.”
I bet it has a ‘commercial’ name rather than any city or county name. Sounds like more sour grapes to me.
That’s true! It will have a commercial name.
But what I meant by is what it would described as.
For example! People often call Harrah’s, the casino north of Topeka.
Or the Casinos outside the city of Newkirk, Oklahoma as Newkirk Casinos.
The Casino by Wichita, will be called the Casino by Wichita or the Wichita area Casino, because that is what it is catering towards.
No sour grapes! How about that breakfast Ben! You were on record saying the it was a No, Yes. You were wrong! Owe up! ;)
“We are on the way to developing a world-class downtown, and we should keep heading in the direction we have set.”
wichita does not now and it will never have a “WORLD-CLASS” downtown.
the problem is, wichita isn’t big enough to support a project big or classy enough to be considered “world-class.”
you are a typical person of wichita who thinks something is just around the corner that will make this the place to live in the eyes of the rest of the world.
what you fail to understand is simply that people who live in bigger cities don’t ever think “i wonder if wichita kansas has hit the big time yet.”they have lives to live. there is more than enough for someone in denver, dallas, phoenix, or chicago to find to keep their interest there, not out in south central kansas.
wichita is like any other town of 300,000 people. that’s our playing field, not san antonio.
if foxwood builds it and does it like the foxwoods in connecticut, it will never be known as wichita metro casino.
it may be foxwoods in kansas, but it will never be foxwoods just south of wichita.
i don’t remember a casino with a commercial name, you mean like… the at&t casino???
where do you ideas come from?
“The big difference between Wichita and Manhattan and Lawrence–which are thriving–is that they have a major university and we have a little local college.”
Actually, WSU is in several respects a better arts school than KSU and comparable with KU. However, WSU truly is non-traditional in that a large number of the students are older, part time, and international, therefore the recreational outlets that tend to be built in college towns for “college age” students are not built around WSU. However, WSU does have a considerable impact on having things to do.
I have now lived in Wichita or the Wichita metro for over 25 years after growing up in Manhattan, Kansas. I was startled that Manhattan in some respects appeared to be more urbane than Wichita. In some respects, I would much rather live in northeast Kansas along the I-70 corridor, or in the KC area, but I have built a life here, and there ARE things here that they either don’t have any better up there, or that we have better (e.g., our zoo is by far better than any other not only in the state, but in the region, only Omaha and maybe OKC are competetive with ours, and in the end I think ours is better). In the end, I like living here, it’s a very nice place to live. But, Wichita sometimes makes itself hard to like.
In the end, the frustrating thing about Wichita is that it is its own worst enemy. I am so sick of individuals saying stupid crap (and it is stupid crap, sorry) like (Wichita is a small town or 350,000, we can’t have the sorts of recreational outlets that other cities have). Nonsense. In the Great Plains, where we live, Wichita is BIG. We’re not on the coasts, or the sunbelt, or the rust belt. There are cities in this region of 40,000 to 100,000 who in terms of what they offer recreational are competetive with Wichita. And in terms of broadening recreational options, it’s not about attracting tourists to Wichita, but it is about attracting and holding onto businesses and residents. Wichita has several advantages, especially in real estate prices. Our biggest disadvantages are transportation (a relatively weak airport-although at least our city appears to have learned its lesson by subsidizing discount airlines, which DOES keep airfares down here and lack of interstates-blast Christopher Dodd for blocking an east-west interstate through Wichita 20 plus years ago) and a (relative)lack of recreational options, especially for teenagers to do (Which, by the way, are the most important demographic for amusement parks, NOT families with small children. Ethridge did not seem to realize that). Also, recreational options are important because teenagers do find other forms of recreation, such as drugs, when there is not as much to do in the places that they live. However, even though I agree that recreation options are important for developing a city, Wichita is better in this than many of its residents think.
I have never, ever lived in a place with so many whiners in my life. We keep saying Wichita sucks, then others will believe it. And it really doesn’t. I have had relatives come here and be extremely pleasantly surprised by the things to do here (the zoo, the museums by the river-especially Botanica and Exploration Place), the Lake Afton Observatory, and several nice art museums.
As for the casino vote, it is not either the disaster that casino proponents claim it is or the great victory casino opponents claim it is (and it is certainly not a mandate to “target” pro-casino politicians). A casino will be built in Sumner County, we won’t get the revenue we would have gotten otherwise but it will still broaden our recreational profile as a city, and alas we will still have some of the ills that gambling does seem to bring (although nowhere near as dire as the more dishonest of the No people splashed on their huge billboards, but probaly no less dire than they would have been if the casino had been located here).
Oh well, end of long stream of consciousness post.
Ralph,
The majority voting no were voting no because of the arena issue. We were sold a “pig in a poke” and got taken. Once burned, twice shy. Had the City/County came out with a detailed plan: who was running the casino, how did the deal compare to other casinos in Vegas, Atlantic City, and MS, what was it going to look like, how big, how many machines, where it was going to be built, reasonable parking and food options nearby based on that location, enough hotel/motel rooms, etc.
The less benefit from being in Sumner County is debatable since there are reduced social costs being a bit further away. We don’t know where Sumner will be it, or any of the above mentioned details.
Considering the City/County’s record on mismanagement, I doubt a casino in Wichita/SC would have been profitable enough to survive, and Wichita or SC would have yet another huge empty building.
As to the ST ST comment about not Wichita not being a big enough City, it is big enough. All it needs is a lure that nearby bigger cities do not have. One casino is not it. Branson and Vegas were not that big until someone hit on a concept that clicked. Study what made Vegas big and you will see it was a dream worth dying for, Branson was not as dramatic but it was still a dream worth trying for.
Bring Airbus in since Boeing is no longer a key deterrent would be a good start. That influx of cash (taxes) could be used to create the lure that makes Wichita a must see place.
Since we placed 9th on CNN/Money and Money magazines’ Top 10 Best Cities to live in last year we must be doing a lot right.
My mother in law is from California and she visits semi-regularly. She enjoys the variety of what Wichita has to offer.
She lives in Los Angeles so she does have a lot more options, but she sees what Wichitans take for granted or chose not to see.
“How about that breakfast Ben! You were on record saying the it was a No, Yes. You were wrong! Owe up! ;)”
Perhaps Joe but I was a lot closer than your YES-YES. I had underestimated the magnitude of the Mrage crowd voting YES-NO. The NO side was a bit stronger than I had guessed at the end (55-45 turned into 57-43) and that helped Mrage sink the track.
I had thought that Ruffin would successfully decouple the two questions; I think he started too late to succeed.
Remember – you have to bring the twins! ;^) And some drawings/maps so we can speculate about the tower locations.
“How about that breakfast Ben! You were on record saying the it was a No, Yes. You were wrong! Owe up! ;)”
Perhaps Joe but I was a lot closer than your YES-YES. I had underestimated the magnitude of the Mrage crowd voting YES-NO. The NO side was a bit stronger than I had guessed at the end (55-45 turned into 57-43) and that helped Mrage sink the track.
I had thought that Ruffin would successfully decouple the two questions; I think he started too late to succeed.
Remember – you have to bring the twins! ;^) And some drawings/maps so we can speculate about the tower locations.
The arguments that a casino is Sumner County is going to have less social impact doesn’t hold water. The casino will be located 15 minutes from downtown. As a west-sider, I was going to have to drive anyway if I wanted to use the facility. Now it will be the same as driving to the east side of town. Folks, it’s just a business model. The city with the largest population is going to provide the most customers. Period. And as a city we’re going to get much less in return. Sure the bulk of the construction and employment will come to Wichitans and whatever downstream economic benefit they bring. But this city/county lost an additional 1% of the revenue plus the economic incentives that the winning proposal will need to win the award from the governor’s office. It was literally in the tens of millions. The NO votes accomplished nothing other than to let the voter feel good about themselves, but the reality is that they voted to cut their noses off to spite their face.
Hey! KTA will make more money this way! Most Wichitans will take the turnpike to the Casino, instead of back roads, right?
Why didn’t we think of that before?
Maybe this was all a ploy by the Governor to raise Turnpike revenues without a toll increase. I SEE THROUGH HER NEFARIOUS SCHEMES NOW!!!
Hearing your neighbors complain how they dropped 12K in Vegas last summer and then in the next sentence complain about paying their son’s tuition at college or whining about how their Garage apartment will never be completed because they just don’t have the funds.
either your neighbor is a total idiot, or you are a liar.i’m guessing #2.
She lives in Los Angeles so she does have a lot more options, but she sees what Wichitans take for granted or chose not to see.
Posted by: mom in law from cali
name 10 things she really likes about wichita.
is the river, that my 5 year old says looks like choclate milk, one of her favorite things about wichita??
Too bad Ralph. You should have done a better job presenting your ill-defined blue cloud to the voters. Quite an accomplishment beginning ahead 70-30 and managing to lose 43-57!
Maybe the YeaYeaRahRah!! campaign was run by the KC Chiefs!
“everybody has a big story to tell” is obviously a racist cowering behind his computer screen.
As usual Ben, your lack of intellect and ability to grasp the big picture shows why the university setting is perfect for you.
Thanks Raph. However I have not been in a University setting for many years; other than work-related continuing education.
You sir, are simply a shallow sore loser. Have some cheese with your whine. And celebrate your impressive accomplishment – turning 70% into 43%! Quite impressive!
You’re an idiot Ben. I’m not a sore loser, just a realist. You too clueless to realize that your NO vote achieved absolutely nothing. Furthermore, I had nothing to do with the casino supporters or their campaign.
Obviously Ralph, the NO achieved something or you wouldn’t be so upset. :)
So true Kansas. Clueless Ralph (same as Raph above?) was caught totally by surprise by the vote. Perhaps he would be well advised to examine his side’s failings in the campaign. Of course, that would obviously be entirely beyond his limited intellectual capabilities!
Hey Ralph, tell me this: How likely is it that a casino will be built downtown? More or less likely than if YS had won? If less likely (like zero perhaps?) then how can you say nothing was accomplished? Explain THAT to me – IF YOU CAN!
The funny thing is that probably a majority of Sedgwick County voters voted IN FAVOR of expamded gambling; I know at least some of the more arrogant casino supporters voted NO on the track out of their hatred for Park City and unincorporated Sedgwick County.
Just about 150 ‘flips’ there and slots would have won.
Tell me again Ralph – how are they going to build a casino downtown now? According to you “your NO vote achieved absolutely nothing” they will still do so.
Hey Kansas – something else it accomplished. For the first (and perhaps only) time in the history of the Universe you and I are on the same side!
;^)
“As usual Raph, your lack of intellect and ability to grasp the big picture shows why the welfare setting is perfect for you.”
Posted by: Raph | August 11, 2007 at 07:40 PM
What are the odds on that Ben?
o:
Geez Ben, I didn’t know the ballot was for a casino downtown. And no Kansas, I’m not upset, just amused.
You NO voters can’t seem to get it. A casino is coming. Sedgwick County residents will be the largest group of supporters. You guys pump up your chests and claim that you saved the citizens from all the ills that gaming brings. Tell me what you accomplished.
The reality is that you can’t. The King has no clothes comes to mind. And THAT, is the whole reason of my initial post.
No Mr. Ralph, I just voted – No chest pumping involved. Well, maybe after I digested that spicy taco breakfast I had before I voted. :)
Ralph – you are corerct; the location was not on the ballot. That is why it lost. My concern was with downtown.
As for your BS “You guys pump up your chests and claim that you saved the citizens from all the ills that gaming brings” – AS YOU ARE AWARE I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT! Well, perhaps you are not aware since you are obviously a totally unaware moron.
But, just to fill you in – I supported the idea of a casino IF someone could have assured me it would be in a good location. AND – I voted YES for slots.
I realize you are simply too stupid to understand that; that is why you hate college educated people so much. Tell me ralph – do you hate college grads because you couldn’t get into college or because you flunked out?
By the way Ralph – you should read the detailed list of reasons I predicted it would fail. The diehard anti-casino vote was only a PART of it.
Whatever Ben. You’re right. You’re not one that would side with Kahrs and his ilk, who ARE doing all the chest thumping.
So now that you have admitted that, tell me (a) why you hate college grads and (b) the meaning of “the university setting is perfect for you”.
My take, the biggest loosers are the tax payers of sedgwick CO. If Foxwoods gets the casino, they will also make sure that there is entertainment. They provide top shelf entertainers in CT and thier other establishments, and they will here also. Big acts come to casino, they do not go to the project on waterman. Is it going to look like the Kansas Colosium in a few years or what?