Letters to the editor
Place your bets
To the Editor:
This letter is a public request to the county commissioners that they rescind their proposal of a countywide referendum to allow construction of a gambling casino in Marion County.
This letter is not to discuss the morality or lack thereof of gambling, but to present the probabilities of losing a $10,000-$15,000 bet. Consider this:
1.) The state of Kansas is not a "referendum and initiative" state which means that the proposed referendum is non-binding. If it passes, it really doesn't mean anything except to the Pied Piper of Wichita, Bob Knight.
2.) Wyandotte County passed a similar referendum 10 years ago and they still haven't received permission to build a casino.
3.) Since 1997, there have been 50 bills introduced in the legislature for expanded gambling and none have passed.
4.) To allow for a private casino (not state run) to be built anywhere on non-Indian land, the Kansas Constitution would have to be amended which, first of all, requires a favorable two-thirds majority vote in both the House and the Senate and then a favorable vote of the people.
5.) According to the Oct. 11 issue of the Newton Kansan Mr. Knight told the Harvey County commissioners that "interstate access ramps would be vital for visibility and access." Is there an interstate highway in Marion County?
6.) Mr. Knight is trying to use the taxpayers' money of Marion County to further his gambling goals for Wichita. Do you really believe he cares about Marion County? When he was mayor of Wichita and somewhat responsible for the well-being of the town, he opposed gambling.
Now, county commissioners, do you like the odds? If this $10,000-$15,000 were your money would you place the bet or would you rather use taxpayers' money on what it was intended for: road repair, care for the elderly, salaries, etc.?
How about a novel idea of reducing the mill levy if there is such an abundance of betting money in the treasury? You do have a fiduciary responsibility in how you spend the taxpayers' money.
Donald L. Dahl
State Representative,
District 70
Generosity appreciated
To the Editor:
Thanks to the efforts of the Boy Scouts of Hillsboro and the Salina District United Methodist Women, many families in Marion County are being blessed.
Through the generosity of the residents of Hillsboro, the Boy Scouts collected more than 800 pounds of groceries for Main Street Ministries' Food Bank. The Salina District UM Women made a much-needed donation of cleaning and hygiene products to the food bank.
These contributions are vital in meeting the needs of families throughout Marion County.
The food bank is a volunteer-led outreach of Main Street Ministries. Open from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday mornings, the food bank is available to any family in need. We are grateful for the support of the many churches and volunteers who make the food bank possible.
The upcoming holidays are the busiest time of year at the food bank. All of us will have an opportunity to give a "food offering" Nov. 20 at the community-wide Thanksgiving service. Please come with a thankful heart and a bag full of groceries!
Jim Elliott
food bank volunteer
