Editor:
Re: BCLC ready to roll dice on city again, June 3.
Hmmm, another shot at a casino in Surrey now that pesky then-mayor Dianne Watts isn’t around to spoil the outcome.
Reminds one of the old axiom of the gambler who, after losing all his money, saves up for years, only to return to get even and win it all back. I think we can all guess the outcome of that venture.
Now it appears the City of Surrey may be showing an interest in resurrecting the idea of a casino/hotel. I do admit to being a bit perplexed that Mayor Linda Hepner would want to attract yet another casino to her community. Not that I doubt the positives of living in her neck of the woods, but it does seem that much of the media coverage in Surrey relates to shootings, drug trafficking, gang violence and people living on the street.
I, for once, tend to agree with White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin when he states he doesn’t know if “our community is ready to pay that price” for the supplementary income that a casino will bring into our area. Yes, our beach restaurants, bars etc. will benefit in one respect – but perhaps lose out in others.
It is true, on the other hand, that our local residents will more easily be able to sit at a slot machine, a blackjack table, etc. rather than hit the lotto booth at our mall. But alas, knowing human nature and its excesses, how much will be left over to spend at those local shops and businesses in the area?
Ah, but the idea of having a casino close to the border-crossing… now that ‘could’ be a real plus. All those cars just waiting for hours on a busy weekend to go and spend those hard-earned Canadian dollars – well, approximately $.77 – now those same dollars can be spent, if not wisely, at least here in Canada!
And just think of all those tourists returning to the U.S.; now they will have an ideal spot to unload all of that rather ‘odd’ currency that only gets more bewildering to their fellow citizens the farther south they travel.
If this casino idea does come into fruition, I would suggest a few rules or warnings that could be employed to downplay the type and scope of the media coverage that has been plaguing Surrey of late. These ‘regulations’ or ‘rules of entry’ could be posted at the casino’s entrance for all to see on arrival:
• Please check all knifes, guns, bats, rebars, M16s, rocket-launchers and other related weapons at the door.
• All monies being brought inside will be examined to make sure that all $100 bills etc. do not have identical serial numbers.
• We would like to inform all patrons that the ‘red light’ above the exit sign has no other connotation.
• This a casino, not a shelter or low-cost housing to all those homeless and those living on the street.
Enough said. So, good luck with your plans, although it is hardly warranted. For, as any good gambler knows, the odds are always in the house’s favour…
Barry Cameron, White Rock