I’ve come to believe that the Fraternal Order of Police have fallen for the cunningly smooth promises of jobs and economic salvation that the casinos tout.

No one really believes that the casino’s will “spread the wealth.” The promoters will do or say anything, agree to any restrictions to dupe voters into sanctioning a casino. After that, it will be a different matter. Organized crime will be in and the citizens will be out. There are no exceptions.

Once admitted to the state, the casino lobby will control the political environment, corrupting officials and unions, to the benefit and profit of the operators alone.

Only out-of-state casino employees will find jobs. Everyone else loses. Sorry, there’s no room for Ohio residents.

John D. Harmer
Columbus

Journalists who cover horse racing in Ohio know that casinos in big cities may result in some new jobs (certainly not 34,000), but expanded gambling in Ohio will probably destroy far more jobs than it creates. That’s why the Ohio chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Association is on record as opposing passage of Issue 3.

Casinos will seriously damage Ohio agriculture by hurting farmers who raise horses and the people who race them.

It’s well known that the state of Ohio has a serious budget crisis and needs an infusion of revenue. How much money does Issue 3 provide for the state budget? Not one dime. What Issue 3 does is expand gambling to new areas and provide a monopoly in the Ohio constitution for casino operators.

I recently received a mailing from the proponents of Issue 3. It touts jobs and benefits to Ohio’s economy, but nowhere in the brochure does it mention what Issue 3 is all about: expanding gambling to new locations in Ohio.

If the supporters of Issue 3 are ashamed to even mention what they’re pushing, should Ohioans buy into their scheme? We say “no” on Issue 3.

Dean A. Hoffman
President
U.S. Harness Writers Association
Ohio Chapter
Columbus