Palo Alto County residents voted Tuesday in favor of authorizing riverboat-style gambling, beginning what could be a major push towards expanding the state's casino industry.

    The measure passed by 2,461 to 1,004, the Palo Alto County auditor's office said.

    Tom Alger, Emmetsburg's community development director, said approval of the ballot measure had been expected, and some residents had placed friendly wagers on size of the victory margin. The benefits of a floating casino would include more jobs, additional tax revenue for financially pinched city and county governments, and enhanced tourism, he said.

    The gambling boat would cruise on Emmetsburg's Five Island Lake, which covers about 960 acres. Local officials have discussed having the casino managed by Grace Entertainment Inc. of St. Joseph, Mo., which operates Osceola's Lakeside Casino Resort.

    "Our lake is an untapped jewel. It is just a beautiful asset here, and it ties nicely into other tourism in northwest Iowa," Alger said.

    The Rev. Jim Morris, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg, said every pastor in Palo Alto County had opposed the gambling proposal.

    "The concern is moral and ethical - the disruption of the social fabric of a community when gambling comes, the incidence of addiction, bankruptcies and those sorts of things," Morris said. 

    To read the complete article: http://desmoinesregister.com/news/stories/c4780934/21533555.html

CCI | Contact Us | Contribute Today | Our Mission |  Home

 CCI Events |  Newsletter Sign-up |E:mail Sign-up
Surveys |Election Results | Candidate Watch |  Voter Information

Political Calendar| Amen | Christians in Politics?