This past winter/spring, the Kansas state legislature decided to allow gambling, including a casino, in Sedgwick County (there's another casino being built elsewhere, too, but I don't remember where). There's been talk about such a thing before. It'd be run by the Kansas Lottery from which much of our public education funds flow. On August 7th, there's a special election by Sedgwick county voters about whether or not to include slots at the Wichita Greyhound Park and whether or not to build a casino, likely in Wichita. If the casino fails, it'll be built in Shawnee as they already voted to build one should Sedgwick turn it down. It'll be run by the Kansas Lottery so I'm sure the state of our public education system depends upon a casino doing well, just as scratch tickets selling well.

So ... the Yes campaign is being run by Phil Ruffin and Jim Ward. Phil Ruffin is a property owner 'round here. Owns lots of shit. Why the county Democratic party's working with him is beyond me as he kinda fucked them over on the new hq. At any rate, he also owns the building where CCH and AccuTel is, and way back when Adecco was staffing for CCH and AccuTel, we had lots of people fall on the ice in the parking lot and hurt themselves because Ruffin refused to clear the parking lot. Jim Ward is my current state representative, and I dislike him so much, I'm going to take his state seat from him some day (could be 08, could be 10, don't know yet). Massive, massive asshole. He's house assistant minority leader and a real ... asshole. Both he and the minority leader are both conservative fuckwads, for the most part, and definitely make the party look more conservative than I like parties to be. I feel dirty supporting something they're running.

I also feel dirty voting no because the Religious Right is running one of the three campaigns against a Sedgwick county casino. And I have no problem with a casino in theory.

But.

I really, really don't trust the city council and county commissioners deciding where to build the casino. They're already talking about turning the Kansas Coliseum into the casino. And their agreed upon placing of the ill-conceived and entirely too expensive arena? Right next to the Commerce Street Art District. And every time I mention it to people that it'll ruin the art district, I'm reminded the council and commission both agreed not to destroy the art district. Because, yanno, a several thousand seat sports and music arena isn't going to do *anything* to the art district, it'll remain untouched. Uh huh. Wichita totally needs another big money thing. Around here, we're really desperate to 'revitalize' the city, even not giving a chance to those things we're still in the middle of trying. Besides, Sumner county is really economically depressed, and a casino, even 2% of the revenue, might help. *shrug* If it were here, 2% would go to Sedgwick with 1% to Wichita. *sigh*

It has been pointed out that voting against the casino could risk the the legislative seats of those that voted for it, and a lot of them are actually reasonable people.

I'll vote for slots. Dunno about the casino.

So! It's time for a poll!

Poll #1025582 Yes for Progress or No to Casinos?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 0

How do I vote in the August election for a casino in Sedgwick County (likely Wichita)?

Do I work the "Yes for Progess" campaign?

(from tiki22cal's 'Top 10 Things To Say To A Non-Indian Upon First Meeting': 1. What's your feeling about river-boat casinos? Do they really help your people, or are they just a short-term fix?)