 Todd DormanTodd Dorman is a columnist for The Gazette. His blog has been bringing smiles to readers' faces since November 2007. |
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CasinoClash 13 Update – Vote-no poll shows close race
Just Say No Casino has released a gambling referendum poll.
Drum roll…
According to the poll of 400 Linn County residents who say they are likely to vote in the special election, 49 percent support the referendum, 47 percent oppose it and 4 percent are undecided. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 5 percent, so the Vote Yes Linn County lead is well within the margin.
The survey was conducted Feb. 7-10 by San Francisco-based David Binder Research. The “polling memo” can be found here.
Meanwhile, let the spin begin:
“It’s clear that voters remain skeptical of Steve Gray’s casino plan,” said Just Say No coalition member Todd Henderson. “With just three weeks left, casino investors have not made a solid case for why this is the right choice for Linn County, and they have yet to release so many details about their proposal. We will continue to run a strong campaign and discuss this important issue with people across Linn County. We’re confident that on March 5th, we will say no to a casino in Linn County.”
In other casino news…
Your Iowa Senate is preparing to debate a measure that would ban smoking in state-licensed casinos. Casino interests have strongly opposed such move in the past, arguing that it would put a dent in their revenues. Not sure how the GOP House feels about it, but I imagine it would face a rougher road there.
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I plan on voting yes for the casino. I probably won’t go to it. I gamble very little and I don’t smoke. The smoking issue is the main reason I don’t go to casinos. Nothing worse then to have a smelly smoky person sit down by you and have their stinky cigarette smoke drift into your face.
I remain undecided regarding how I will vote, but I am growing irritated with the “no” side for their failure to fully disclose who is paying for their campaign ads. They complain that the “yes” side has not provided details about the casino. Those complaints ring hollow when they will not disclose who is paying for their ads.
For the record, I have been to a casino in Iowa only twice in my life and, like Steve, one reason I do not go more often is the smoke.
My wife and I both have been to Macgregor, Dubuque, Riverside and Tama. Riverside and Tama have no smoking sections already so that is a non-issue. We don’t go as often as we used to but enjoyed the ride back and forth just as much as going there. With the 4 casinos that surround us already I have a tough time believing this will be anything close to a good thing for C.R. The dollars supporting it will come mostly from Linn County residents. The jobs they brag about will be of the food and drink category along with card sharks.While I’m not a believer of the criminal element following suit we probably will still go out of town if and when we do go.And I ‘m betting that if the county does vote for it the state won’t unless alot of money changes hands (tic)..