Casino Boat Poll

[Marcia Lynn]

If you were in charge, how would you vote on the casino boats in Little River

[bdejosia]

The Casino boats should be considered like any other industry. The Gaming industry can provide a valuable resource to the community. The Gaming industry have a history of being good for the community. I believe if we had a resident committee formed to work with the Casino boats in our community we would all benefit.

And Why Not!

[tmlong]

I agree the casino boats can be a good thing for Little River, but have you thought about what it has done to the Historic Fishing Village that has been here for 100 + years. Does anyone care? 50 years ago the waterfront was a busy, bustling fishing mecca and it can be again. The waterfront needs to be revamped - similar to Murrells Inlet and the Casino boats need to be in a more "commercial" area. What a waste of beautiful land to be "parking lots'! Little River got its name for tourism because of the fishing and the beautiful serene waterfront. Lets keep it that way not make it a smaller version of "Atlantic City" please. People don't realize or care what it has done to the fisherman here. That is their only livelihood. The historic fishing is being pushed out of Little River because of the boats. I guess most people don't care unless it is your husband or father or son and that is how they put food on the table. These fisherman have been here all their lives - they can't start a new profession and where are they to put their boats when they have been pushed out of a dock??? They certainly can't afford the dock rent the casino boats pay and they take away dozens of dock space for fisherman with the size of the boats. How did Little River become famous...... FISHING. Is that so bad????

[Marcia Lynn]

Those with strong viewpoints on the casino boats may want to identify if they are:

1) a resident whose home is in the traffic pattern of the twice daily gambling traffic
2) a business owner who has lost business or placement (i.e. dock space) due to the casino boats
3) a business owner who has gained business due to the casion boats
4) a resident who has a job on the casino boat

I am, btw, in category #1, and have lost several pets who were killed by the gambling boat traffic that wasn't here on my previously quiet residential road, and am awoken each night after midnight when the 2nd run of the boats comes in.

No one has ever addressed how the casino boat traffic has harmed (and continues to harm) the daily lives of residents and pets who live in the traffic pattern of the boat visitors.

[bdejosia]

In reply to tmlong and marcia lynn, I lived on Baldwin Ave, until recently and I fully agree with you about the traffic and the congestion caused by our poor traffic control in the area.

In addition it is hard to argue with a man losing his livly hood to the casino boats, I also believe that their is a way that both the casino boats and the fishing industry can exist together. I fully support the fishing boats returning to our village and I believe the only way for that to happen is for the residents to form a government that respects the character of the fishing village.

This week I participated in a meeting where many long time local residents got up and spoke in opposition to forming a government. If we were to ask these same local people if they are happy with what Little River is now versus what it was 20 years ago they would say they are not. Some have lost their lively hood others have had to pay more to gain access to the waterway, however the same government that caused the area to become what it is today they are singing their praise. So you can't have it both ways, I say lets unite and put together a comprehensive plan that brings back the waterfront fishing village and keeps the Casino boats in an area that they can find attractive for their industry.

And Why NOT !