Gettysburg Casino Opinion Poll

[CivilWarTalk]

Please post your opinions on this subject!

 

[brass napoleon]

It's my understanding, from another thread, that the proposed casino would be a couple miles away from the battlefield in an already developed area. So I voted it should be up to the residents to decide. That said, if I was a resident, I would vote NO.

 

[bama46]

So long as the casino is not on historically significient land, and it is not from what we have been told, then it is the business of the residents of the town of Gettysburg and possibly the county. We need to remembe that the residents of the town need jobs and tax revenues that casinos are SUPPOSED to bring in. I am not sure how well they do that, but bottom line it is none of our business IMHO!

Ed

 

[Nathanb1]

I think what bothers me is really the location. We drove in that way to the battlefield the first time, down the Emmitsburg Road. I was in a trance--it was a magical moment. I just can't bear the thought of huge neon signs pointing to the casino, right there on the road. Surely there could be a better place to put it?

 

[1stMDINFCSA]

I know that in our travels to Gettysburg we see many more "NO" signs than "YES" signs. If I were a resident of the area I would have a giant "NO" sign on my property.

 

[Henry]

An opinion formed on gut reaction.....

An opinion formed on gut reaction doesn't fit here, to me. I am not up on the facts of the matter, how close the casino is to be to the actual battlefield? Who is planning this establishment? What impact would this presence have on NPS operation in the area?
Get back to me on this.

 

[Tin cup]

There is more at stake than just the "Residents" to decide.. If we have to stoop so low to have to depend on gambling casinos...

We have to draw a line, this is as good-a-time to just say no!

Kevin Dally

 

[Nathanb1]

An opinion formed on gut reaction doesn't fit here, to me. I am not up on the facts of the matter, how close the casino is to be to the actual battlefield? Who is planning this establishment? What impact would this presence have on NPS operation in the area?
Get back to me on this.

You can find a map of the proposed location on the CWPT website (along with related articles, etc.) The map is easy to follow if you've been to Gettysburg. I can't answer the impact question as far as the NPS.

 

[IrishBrigade]

Don't the residents do well enough out of the battlefield? Without the events of 1863 Gettysburg might not even exist today, there's more at stake here then the local concerns, it is national heritage seeing as so many states sent men to fight and die there.

There's just something tacky about it and judging by the travel brochure I got this year from Gettysburg they've got plenty of tackyness already(General Pickett's buffett, please!) I for one wouldn't like to see a casino at Omaha beach. Battlefields sites are usually peaceful places in great contrast to what once went on in those now quiet fields.

 

[prroh]

I for one wouldn't like to see a casino at Omaha beach. Battlefields sites are usually peaceful places in great contrast to what once went on in those now quiet fields.

Omaha Beach has a shoreline road, summer houses and cafes. The original beachline is gone. Utah beach, however is pretty pristine. There is no unified battlefield park. European battlefields are nowhere near preserved as they are in the U.S.

 

[IrishBrigade]

Omaha Beach has a shoreline road, summer houses and cafes. The original beachline is gone. Utah beach, however is pretty pristine. There is no unified battlefield park. European battlefields are nowhere near preserved as they are in the U.S.

Maybe not but there's no casino.

 

[bama46]

There is more at stake than just the "Residents" to decide.. If we have to stoop so low to have to depend on gambling casinos...

We have to draw a line, this is as good-a-time to just say no!

Kevin Dally

I don't understand. If the situation were reversed and you needed jobs in your town, would you be happy or unhappy if folks from outside the region of the country where you live began do dicatate what your town could or could not do. People have to eat. Now if the casino were to be on battlefield grounds or accross the street, that is one thing, but it is not. This is an issue that affects the people of Gettysburg far more than it does us, and is an issue that should be decided by them and not us

 

[Nathanb1]

If it was Brady, Texas, nobody would care. The problem for Gettysburg is that it's a site considered hallowed ground, and a town visited by thousands of people, with families, for a particular type of experience. I chose to spend my precious few tourist dollars soaking up the atmosphere of the battlefield, and less commercialized aspects of the town. When I go to a battlefield, I don't want neon signs advertising jackpots, and I suspect a lot of other people don't either. The decision for Gettysburg is--do we want to take a chance on the casino being very tastefully done and unobtrusive, or do we want visitors to decide to visit, say, Antietam instead? Should the people of the town have the final say? Absolutely. However, they also should take a look at the input of people who have been and plan to be visitors spending their dollars. A casino or racetrack doesn't guarantee local money and jobs. More than one town has found that out to their everlasting dismay.

 

[diddyriddick]

Don't the residents do well enough out of the battlefield? Without the events of 1863 Gettysburg might not even exist today, there's more at stake here then the local concerns, it is national heritage seeing as so many states sent men to fight and die there.

There's just something tacky about it and judging by the travel brochure I got this year from Gettysburg they've got plenty of tackyness already(General Pickett's buffett, please!) I for one wouldn't like to see a casino at Omaha beach. Battlefields sites are usually peaceful places in great contrast to what once went on in those now quiet fields.

From my conversations with natives, they do fine....for 6 months out of the year. Like any tourist-based economy, it is tough to pay the rent and put food on the table when only working half the year.

As for me, I voted for leaving it up to the residents. It is neither my responsibility nor privilege to dictate the decisions that others make in their communities.

 

[Nathanb1]

If we did have that type of situation here, I would hope our local powers that be would try to get input from potential visitors on how they feel, because they're the ones bringing in the bucks. Is there really that much demand for a casino in that particular place?

 

[prroh]

If we did have that type of situation here, I would hope our local powers that be would try to get input from potential visitors on how they feel, because they're the ones bringing in the bucks. Is there really that much demand for a casino in that particular place?

The folks
applying for the license are the same ones who tried for a slots casino a few years ago. They have a very good record of tasteful use of property.

 

[bama46]

Don't the residents do well enough out of the battlefield? Without the events of 1863 Gettysburg might not even exist today, there's more at stake here then the local concerns, it is national heritage seeing as so many states sent men to fight and die there.

There's just something tacky about it and judging by the travel brochure I got this year from Gettysburg they've got plenty of tackyness already(General Pickett's buffett, please!) I for one wouldn't like to see a casino at Omaha beach. Battlefields sites are usually peaceful places in great contrast to what once went on in those now quiet fields.

don't the residents have the right to pursue whatever industry and jobs they believe will suit them best?

 

[Karen Lips]

It would be tacky and disrespectful. I think it would give a cheap feel and apprearance to the battlefield. Some things are sacred and should be treated accordingly.

 

[IrishBrigade]

I think NathanB makes a good point, if it was some place no one had heard off then who cares, it's not, it's Gettysburg, it's different like it or not. If you live in/beside a national park you've got to expect that life will be somewhat different and maybe more complicated. Some things are sacred, where do you stop the race to the bottem line? Get a few strip clubs, legalise prostitution + drugs, they'll all bring jobs and put some food on the table.

If people are putting their tourist dollars in slot machines then maybe they won't go on as many tours or buy some battlefield souvenirs. I'm against it at all costs, it is a place not only of American national importance but of international importance. Don't sell out for 30 pieces of silver.

 

[Nathanb1]

Food for thought: http://www.pactoregon.org/facts-economic.html