By: RonG

RonG — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:44:09 +0000

Thank you Observer for a reasoned approach to what is basically a question of economics for the county. This issue just seems to have a way of bringing out convoluted arguments. I received Vote No literature today that warns of Charles Town becoming the next Las Vegas. I’m pretty sure that the comparison of a city with twenty or thirty or fifty gaming venues to one standalone establishment is really no comparison at all. Some horsemen seem to argue that their piece of the pie is too small. Is there another industry that gets an annual $40 million shot in the arm through purses? If one exists I don’t know what it is. Since the issue was voted on in 2007 we haven’t had any new major employers move into the county. Shepherd and American Public University probably have grown during that period as well as some retail outlets but certainly no one has brought large numbers of jobs to the county. As a pragmatist I’m having a hard time seeing the downside of this. I remember too well the last time a school levy came up for a vote where it seemed to pit families against the elderly who didn’t see a benefit, only a tax increase. As a homeowner in the county I’d be interested to know how different my property taxes would be if the track ceased to exist. Hopefully the track closing is not something we’ll experience for a long time.

By: Eric Lewis

Eric Lewis — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:38:26 +0000

Thanks for endorsing and for Mr Lillard’s Wheeling story. Very nicely done. Its great to see folks realize the importance of a Yes Vote and be willing to lay it out there like you did. I was particularly impressed with the analysis of Atlantic City vs DC/Baltimore and Martinsburg. Really puts that into perspective and shows that the No side and all their scare tactics are way off base.

By: David

David — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:46:59 +0000

Great…Wish everyone was as level headed as you

Comments on: Getting Past the Rhetoric To Yes

By: RonG

By: Eric Lewis

By: David