Editorial By Kurt Lewis, Publisher Branson Daily Independent and Taney County Times

Republished from Editorial Page of the Branson Daily Indpependent with Permission

Whether you are for or against Amendment 1 you have to admit the residents of Rockaway Beach have proven that nothing is impossible if you pull together as a community and work toward a common goal. Three years ago when two Rockaway Beach businessmen said they would like to revitalize their town with riverboat gaming, most people laughed, thought it was a pipe dream and said it would never happen. Like most of you I never thought the idea would go very far and certainly never expected it to achieve a statewide vote.

During my 25-year tenure in the newspaper industry I have never endorsed any type of gambling issue. Editorializing against riverboat casinos and the lottery. (The worst form of gambling in my opinion. I have bought two lottery tickets, both on the first day of sales and absolutely can not stand getting behind people purchasing and scratching tickets at a convenience store.) Those issues were approved by voters and on my four or five visits to St. Louis area boats I have not been impressed.

However after traveling to a handful of tourist destinations with gaming, I now have a much different opinion. And that’s what this is, my opinion which is worth the same as your opinion. I have taught classes at my home church on gambling, heard all of the horror stories and have a close friend who is addicted to gambling. After taking the time to see just how tourist based gaming operates in various parts of the country, I believe Amendment 1 would not only revitalize Rockaway Beach, but would benefit Taney County and the surrounding area in general.

What I was unable to find in tourist destinations with gaming is the huge increase in crime, drugs and other illegal activities those opposing Amendment 1 claim. I asked people from various walks of life in each community, including law enforcement officials. Like one police chief said, if you had two burglaries before gaming and had four after gaming, then those opposing gaming will claim crime doubled. What they fail to consider is that after gaming a million more people came to town and obviously if a million more people come to any town there will be an increase in common crimes that occur with or without gaming.

Amendment 1 would create 1,000 full time year round jobs with benefits in Taney County. That fact is hard to deny or destroy by tossing misleading figures into the air. Unemployment in Taney County averaged 7.7 percent in 2003 and 8.2 percent in 2002, but the monthly rates ranged from highs of 22.5 percent to lows of 3 percent. Amendment 1 means jobs for area residents. It means jobs with benefits and above average starting wages. The average casino industry wage nationwide is $26,000 per year, plus benefits.

Amendment 1 would allow private businesses to invest over $100 million in Rockaway Beach, without a TIF or any government funds. Rockaway Beach would be improved and that improvement would spill over into other parts of Taney County. The main investor-owner in the Rockaway Beach riverboat casino will be Robert Low of Springfield. Low owns Prime, Inc. in Springfield (the largest refrigerated trucking company in America) and the Palace Casino Resort in Biloxi, Miss. Low is a top notch individual who operates his businesses in a way that I only wish all businesses could operate. He is the real deal, a self-made Missourian, who from all accounts I have heard and from talking with many of his employees in Springfield and Biloxi, that does what he says and keeps his word regardless of the cost. Rockaway Beach could not have found a better combination than Southwest Casino & Hotel Corp, and Robert Low to develop and revitalize their community.

Gaming in Rockaway Beach will not damage Branson or its family friendly image. You have to want to go to Rockaway Beach to get there. Gaming would not be rubbed in the noses of our visitors, but it would give them another entertainment choice close to Branson, yet far enough away that they clearly have to want to gamble in order to visit Rockaway Beach. Remember there are a number of Branson visitors who enjoy gambling as a form of entertainment. Many of the bus tours stop at casinos on their way to and from Branson. If they stop at Rockaway Beach in the future, it could add a day to their stay locally, increasing hotel revenues and taxes.

We believe a "yes" vote on Amendment 1 will be good for Taney County and Missouri.

Regardless of your position, and I respect everyone who shares a different opinion on Amendment 1, exercise your right and privilege to vote by casting your ballot Tuesday, August 3.

It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races. — Mark Twain

Courtesy of Branson Daily Independent