Ladies and Gentleman,
As we all know, our economy here in Myrtle Beach is in terrible shape and continuing to regress, putting many people in the Unemployment Lines. I know this first hand, since I have been out of work for over 7 months now, with no end in sight, especially in the broadcast industry. I continue to watch as States all around and near us continue to approve ways to increase revenue; Casino Gambling.
Before we go into conversations about the Bible Belt and the South, let's get realistic about the number of Taxpayers and Residents who are struggling on the Grand Strand. Just today in the Sun News, the editorial talked of the remarks of Danny Knight and how Horry County was in need of money to continue services or cut back on them. How do you raise money in an already heavily taxed economic structure like we presently have; by raising taxes, or looking for alternative means? If you allowed your constituents to vote on a matter such as this, it would overwhelmingly be "look for an alternative means". Sure, there have been some ideas out there about taxing trailers that ride without tags, or maybe adding another tax on the tourists, but I'm talking about something to add real revenue to the coffers, a major Casino or two with all types of gambling.
As I ride around the Grand Strand during the "slow" part of the year, look at the failing businesses and empty shops, I think back to the days of the slot machines and how things changed when they were banned. Were the slots good for business on the Grand Strand? Of course they were, but what was wrong was the Legislation that governed the control of those machines to the point that it was "overkill" and found in any nook and cranny that complied with the Law. Secondly, the State and County really had no way to collect it's "fair share" from those machines. I speak with experience on the matter since I ran machines in Baltimore for more than 8 years while running a local tavern and know how the machines worked.
We have a wonderful, but eroding beach and wonderful golf...How many other resort destinations, especially along the East Coast have that? We have another long list of failing and closed attractions and theaters, the most recent being the Hard Rock Theme Park debacle. We also have had a number of golf courses go out of business because the housing "boom", now a "bust" was a more viable money maker than running a golf course without enough golfers. We have the "seedy" gentleman's clubs up and down the Grand Strand, numerous dating services and massage parlors, gambling boats and a State run lottery. Look at the financial deal alone with those little casino boats, and the thoughts of a major casino or two should have everyone "salivating" with $$ signs.
My old home State of Maryland just had the voters authorize the placement of 15,000 slots at 5 selected locations. My friend in Pittsburgh told me how they approved a casino there and have a temporary one set up in a tent while the structure is being built and people are lining up outside to play. There was a gentleman from Connecticut who wrote and told me of the prosperity from legalized gambling there. I know of many people who travel to Tampa, Cherokee, Atlantic City, Louisiana and other places just to gamble money they could have spent here. What do you think attracts the majority of attention on the cruise ships...the Casino, it is filled almost each night!
This is not some stupid "pie in the sky" dream, but something that is echoed each day and agreed to by every person the idea is presented to. However, I present the idea with a Casino or two being voted in by the citizens of Horry County, and the proceeds from such being used to improve our roads and infrastructure, similar to what the State run lottery does with the schools. This would free up millions of dollars that could be used for many other things.
Would we have people with gambling addictions? Sure we would, but we have that now with people who play the Lottery and other games. They will find a way and find a bookie to satisfy their needs whether we have a Casino or not, just like we have people now who are addicted to legalized alcohol and tobacco. But what we would also have would be more people working and more income for the Horry County coffers. Just like our current recession is a trickle down effect, so would the Casino's, but with a more positive spin. More people in hotels equals more people in restaurants equals more people in the shows and more people on the golf courses and other tourist sites.
Think now of the future for Horry County before Marion County puts a "roadblock to the beach" up with their big Bingo Hall and RV Park that will only be the beginning there. I would like one or more of you to come forward with a legislative idea to present this to the voters of Horry County and let them decide. Just think of the up-front money we could get from a major player as a "franchise fee" alone, just for the right to build here. You tell me what we will need to get this issue on the ballot and I will create the necessary volunteers to work with you and get this issue passed. Our future in Horry County needs a better "driving force" than golf courses and sandy beaches. This is truly a "build it and they will come" idea for progress and financial gain for our community.
I await a reply from someone with the "courage" to do this!
God Bless
Happy Thanksgiving '08
Lou Krieger
As we all know, our economy here in Myrtle Beach is in terrible shape and continuing to regress, putting many people in the Unemployment Lines. I know this first hand, since I have been out of work for over 7 months now, with no end in sight, especially in the broadcast industry. I continue to watch as States all around and near us continue to approve ways to increase revenue; Casino Gambling.
Before we go into conversations about the Bible Belt and the South, let's get realistic about the number of Taxpayers and Residents who are struggling on the Grand Strand. Just today in the Sun News, the editorial talked of the remarks of Danny Knight and how Horry County was in need of money to continue services or cut back on them. How do you raise money in an already heavily taxed economic structure like we presently have; by raising taxes, or looking for alternative means? If you allowed your constituents to vote on a matter such as this, it would overwhelmingly be "look for an alternative means". Sure, there have been some ideas out there about taxing trailers that ride without tags, or maybe adding another tax on the tourists, but I'm talking about something to add real revenue to the coffers, a major Casino or two with all types of gambling.
As I ride around the Grand Strand during the "slow" part of the year, look at the failing businesses and empty shops, I think back to the days of the slot machines and how things changed when they were banned. Were the slots good for business on the Grand Strand? Of course they were, but what was wrong was the Legislation that governed the control of those machines to the point that it was "overkill" and found in any nook and cranny that complied with the Law. Secondly, the State and County really had no way to collect it's "fair share" from those machines. I speak with experience on the matter since I ran machines in Baltimore for more than 8 years while running a local tavern and know how the machines worked.
We have a wonderful, but eroding beach and wonderful golf...How many other resort destinations, especially along the East Coast have that? We have another long list of failing and closed attractions and theaters, the most recent being the Hard Rock Theme Park debacle. We also have had a number of golf courses go out of business because the housing "boom", now a "bust" was a more viable money maker than running a golf course without enough golfers. We have the "seedy" gentleman's clubs up and down the Grand Strand, numerous dating services and massage parlors, gambling boats and a State run lottery. Look at the financial deal alone with those little casino boats, and the thoughts of a major casino or two should have everyone "salivating" with $$ signs.
My old home State of Maryland just had the voters authorize the placement of 15,000 slots at 5 selected locations. My friend in Pittsburgh told me how they approved a casino there and have a temporary one set up in a tent while the structure is being built and people are lining up outside to play. There was a gentleman from Connecticut who wrote and told me of the prosperity from legalized gambling there. I know of many people who travel to Tampa, Cherokee, Atlantic City, Louisiana and other places just to gamble money they could have spent here. What do you think attracts the majority of attention on the cruise ships...the Casino, it is filled almost each night!
This is not some stupid "pie in the sky" dream, but something that is echoed each day and agreed to by every person the idea is presented to. However, I present the idea with a Casino or two being voted in by the citizens of Horry County, and the proceeds from such being used to improve our roads and infrastructure, similar to what the State run lottery does with the schools. This would free up millions of dollars that could be used for many other things.
Would we have people with gambling addictions? Sure we would, but we have that now with people who play the Lottery and other games. They will find a way and find a bookie to satisfy their needs whether we have a Casino or not, just like we have people now who are addicted to legalized alcohol and tobacco. But what we would also have would be more people working and more income for the Horry County coffers. Just like our current recession is a trickle down effect, so would the Casino's, but with a more positive spin. More people in hotels equals more people in restaurants equals more people in the shows and more people on the golf courses and other tourist sites.
Think now of the future for Horry County before Marion County puts a "roadblock to the beach" up with their big Bingo Hall and RV Park that will only be the beginning there. I would like one or more of you to come forward with a legislative idea to present this to the voters of Horry County and let them decide. Just think of the up-front money we could get from a major player as a "franchise fee" alone, just for the right to build here. You tell me what we will need to get this issue on the ballot and I will create the necessary volunteers to work with you and get this issue passed. Our future in Horry County needs a better "driving force" than golf courses and sandy beaches. This is truly a "build it and they will come" idea for progress and financial gain for our community.
I await a reply from someone with the "courage" to do this!
God Bless
Happy Thanksgiving '08
Lou Krieger
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