The attention will focus on the electioneering and eventual outcome of voter sentiment on a referendum that will determine whether a zoning ordinance permitting casino gaming in Anne Arundel County will stand or be reversed.
At the center of the petition drive to put the referendum on the ballot is the contentious issue of a casino facility planned for Arundel Mills that will house up to 4,750 video lottery terminals....
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Behemoth - 2010-09-27 23:28:16
If construction of the proposed slot facility will overtake the Mall parking lot from Burlington up to the theaters, where are the Mall employees, who already have a challenging time finding parking during the holidays and during obstructive weather events (read: uncleared mountains of snow after blizzards) supposed to park?
....out on Route 100, where it's already seasonally gridlocked?
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Raejean French - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-09-14 00:21:47
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-08-27 15:37:23
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@Fay Hall - 2010-08-26 22:29:48
Better check into your facts. The license was issued before either of the two zoning issues were passed and signed by the County Executive. The License Board did that in an effort to force the councils decision quicker. So you're mistaken, I attended those meetings down in Annapolis, and the license was issued *BEFORE* it was zoned.
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David Leazer - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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@David Leazer - 2010-08-24 08:18:11
Getting the license at Arundel Mills was contingent on the zoning bill passing. The licencse for Arundel Mills was not issued prior to that.
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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent
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Who Cares - 2010-08-23 17:49:51
For Chris W. You actually believe that the Casino will lower your taxes? Where have you been for the last 8 years?
Let's see, how many times have we heard the cry that "education, police & fire will suffer without _________ passing" or "We must pass _________ to lower taxes or keep them from going up"(put in your favorite ballot issue.)
All this and only a year since our Gov. O, gave us the largest tax hike in MD's history.
The problem is, and continues to be, that our Elected Official's continue to live beyone their means and over-spend. The Lottery was supposed to save all of Educations woes too...do you remember that! The sad truth is, even if the Casino goes in, it still will NOT solve the budget gaps.... period or even by half, and that's if it meets the wild and over-inflated projections.
If you want slots, how about we put this right down there in that new Odenton Plaza area instead... wouldn't you like to have close to your home there by 32 & 175? I think it would be perfect there, with easy access off 32 and 175, after all the road there is even better than the ones at the Mall.
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David Leazer - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Played by the rules? - 2010-08-23 17:38:10
Answer me this? If Cordish and our County Officers played by the rules; explain to me how Cordish was issued a license for property that wasn't properly zoned at the time of the license issue? When the license was awarded the new zoning that our Council finally passed was not in place at the time of the license? So legally, they should not have been issued a license at all.
And for everyone else proposing this is OK and merely a NIMBY issue, if it's so great then why aren't you all lobbing to have it near your homes?
For the record, there were plenty of other communities here before the Mall, so get your facts straight.
I read the legislation, which is why I did vote against it, because unlike the other 4 places, the AA portion meant it could go anywhere, and if anyone is to blame it's the idiots down in Annapolis and their back room deals. Until the referendum passed, Cordishes proposal was not even published or discussed in the Media as a player, but he claims the Politicians in Annapolis knew? REALLY? Tell me that wasn't a case of backroom politics.
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David Leazer - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Who Cares - 2010-08-14 13:59:01
Jim,
My point is I just don't care really. But if there is even a chance that this will prevent a tax increase, count me in. All in.
Why allow one business and not another. The mall is one place I don't want to bring my family now. Putting a slots parlor there wont change that. I already don't like going near that place.
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Chris Warner - Odenton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Slots will NOT equal lower taxes - 2010-08-14 11:47:56
That's just what they tell us as they lead the sheep to slaughter.
Even if it does raise money (certainly not $600 million, but something) do you really think the politicians won't just find another place to spend it? There is a revenue gap and slots may fill some of that gap but spending will also go up because that's what governments do.
My argument has nothing to do with the social ills brought on by slots or the location. It's purely economics 101 but most people only hear what they want to hear. Good luck with that.
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Jim Denora - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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idea - 2010-08-13 16:58:25
Wow ! I just read the best article on how a family wants to donate land to have an amphitheater built. How nice. You know those visitors are going to need food so we better set up concessions and you know those owners deserve to make money and that will increase the tax base now you don't need open space Agreements MOUs ha we laugh in there face You need a parking lot runoff doesn't matter the local system can take it What whats that you say a bingo parlor on he parking lot The biggest anyone has ever seen ! Do you mean it can make a zillion dollars in taxes alone! NO no who needs details Oh silly Nimbys words are just letters on Plats and Deeds. Crime traffic pollution Zoning Laws Come on silly people should have known better... Far fetched about as far fetched as looking for the tree surrounded 80% covered 20% open space mall limited by sq foot "Placed in a controlled bubble as not to ever affect the neighborhoods" as the people in west county were told called Arundel Mills
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dave patton - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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This is Just NIMBY - 2010-08-13 14:55:00
The people have already spoken. No slots = higher taxes. I for one would prefer slots. I'll never use them myself, but Ill appreciate not seeing my tax bill go up any more than necessary.
Arundel Mills is not Disney. There are plenty of "undesirable" elements there already. Did you know there are businesses there that sell (Gasp) Alcohol? Some stores even sell tobacco.
This is all just NIMBY with local disgruntled residents supported by the anti-slots lobby.
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Chris Warner - Odenton, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Bill Burdon All Business - 2010-08-13 01:30:19
Bill Burdon is doing his job-promoting business interests at any price.Too bad the people of the county don't have 7 equally dedicated persons looking after their interests. We wouldn't be having this discussion. It is bad business to turn a taxpayer subsidized Regional Mall with 13 million shoppers each year into a Slots casino for adult entertainment attracting a very different clientele. The businesses will turn to sleaze attraction and the neighborhood will decline just like it did when slots were legal in AA before. AA taxpayers are being shortchanged and overcharged by the lack of business savvy of elected reps. It makes far better sense to support the ongoing success of 5 regional malls and create a new 6th revenue generating region in the county. Especially when that site is already a harbinger for gamblers, horse traders etc...Leopold spent 26 years on roadsides seeking elected office and then has done nothing extraordinary or even better for his constituency than his predecessors. Actually, Jim Lighthizer had more imagination and Joe Alton more sense of responsibility. Racinos made 50% more profits in this recession than stand alone slots. It makes sense to have the slots at Laurel. Magnum and Cordish can make a deal. Anything is for sale, for the right price.
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Maryellen Brady - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Support a local Company - 2010-08-12 11:07:38
I choose to support the Cordish Company because they're a local business. They're based right in Baltimore at Powert Plant Live. Also, they're American. I'd rather have a Maryland based, American company that knows Maryland the best rather than having Magna International, the owner of Laurel Park, which is an extreme dirty, corrupt, international company, and will no doubt find a way of avoiding taxes and taking all of the money from this venture out of the country. Make your votes count people. Support local American companies. Not Dirty, Corrupt International companies.
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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Cordish played by the rules while b - 2010-08-12 10:55:38
Cordish Co. may have played by the rules. However they staked their game on their intent to have zoning changed, and the citizens have said loudly that they want to have a say in the decision. None of these big players is owed anything, and Cordish Co definitely doesn't deserve to be handed a victory based on filling out the forms correctly and paying the fees as indicated. They are still betting on and playing hardball to ram this through whatever process possible, and who can blame them? They are a corporation out for one thing - profit. The gimmie of money for schools is pathetic because it underscores that taxpayers want services that 'we' don't want to pay directly for, and 'we' are willing to consider a handout from a bottom feeding predatory corporation. We are the ultimate bottom feeders in this instance. We allowed our fiscal house to crumble to this point.
'We' are succeptible to corporate predator real estate developers of all sorts because the people's treasury is out of order at all levels of our government. Are we willing to put aside our short term fixes for our personal and community assets, pinch pennies and figure out how to make long term investments that will protect us and our children?
If we can not make these mature decisions for ourselves and elect leaders who can, our country will go the way of the Roman empire for the same reasons - living lavishly without the means. If we can not pay for our own services directly we should not have them. Maybe we should not have a K-12 education system if we can't pay for it. Lets make grown up fiscal decisions public policy.
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William Small - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Grandiose Comparison - 2010-08-12 10:03:52
Apples to Oranges
you are comparing an entire city with a single slot parlor in a mall parking lot.
But dont worry... there seem to be many that have the same problem.
BTW-Im pretty sure Arizona has a bridge or two.
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Mark M - MIllersville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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No short term memory loss here - 2010-08-11 22:06:06
There is no $600 million it's a pipedream, the perfect storm, if every possible machine is operating 24/7, maybe it appears. Even the OC paper said a good portion of the money spent on slots would be redirected from somewhere else. So, there's no new spending, no new money through the economy.
I know of what I speak. I grew up in NJ during the early and mid-'70's. During that time, the state floated two new ideas: a state income tax and legalized gambling in Atlantic City. I don't remember which one came first but the argument for it was the money would benefit (drum roll, please) EDUCATION. Of course, anything for the children. So it passes. Then two years later, the politicians are back at the table (no pun intended) looking for more and the extra money was to go to, you guessed it, education. I thought that we took care of education two years earlier.
Besdes providing for the children, the added bonus of legalized gambling was that it would revitalize Atlantic City, provide new jobs, blah, blah, blah.
Let's fast forward 35+ years. AC is still a dump, the only ones who got rich were Donald Trump and the Mob, NJ has one of the highest state income tax rates and property taxes are insanely high. I have a family member whose house is worth about what mine is and their property taxes are four times higher than mine. And the reason for those high property taxes?? It rhymes with education.
So, we get another chance to vote this train wreck down. Amen, brother!!
Again, let me know if you're interested in the bridge in Arizona.
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Jim Denora - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Precendent - 2010-08-11 16:09:29
The simple truth is that other States have moved onto table games, and there is already movement in Annapolis to do the same here in MD. So first they said it was just Slots, now slots includes video blackjack and poker tables which seat multiple players all playing the same game. Next it will be a full-fledged casino, that is their intent.
They also said there will be only one casino in Anne Arundel County, and it must be within 2 miles of BW Parkway. But why would they stop there? If a casino goes in at Arundel Mills Mall and makes boat loads of cash, then why not put one at Annapolis Mall? Why not put one on the waterfront at the City Docks? How about in the new Odenton Town Center? or the Mall down the street from your house?
Adding slots to an existing gambling facility (Race Tracks) is what voters thought they were signing up for. The proliferation of gambling to every large commercial or community center in the state is not what people voted for. Allowing a Casino at Arundel Mills Mall is just the first step to seeing gambling any place you go in the state, because it sets a precedent. Sure they'd have to pass additional laws and zoning, but that doesn't seem to be a big problem when you involve lobbyists and the big money interests. This vote isn't just about the Mall in my neighborhood, its about the Mall in YOUR neighborhood.
We have a chance to stop this madness now, and restrict gambling to the areas where it has been operating for decades, rather than allow it to expand into our communities.
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Philip Van der Vossen - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Expectations and Precedent - 2010-08-11 16:08:27
The argument was made below that residents knew what they were getting into when they purchased near the mall. That is partially true. I knew what was built already, and what was planned. I knew that Arundel Preserve was planned and its going to be a very large development which is consistent with the neighborhood. I also knew what protections my covenant agreements afforded me, and that the Mall was unable to expand, and unable to add additional parking due to agreements with the surrounding neighbors. I knew that a Casino was not permitted under zoning law at the time. I made an educated decision to buy a house here. Now that those covenants are being ignored, and zoning is being changed, I have a right as a citizen to oppose these changes, just as you do in your own community.
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Philip Van der Vossen - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Another look at Magna - 2010-08-11 11:56:13
Magna International, the owner of Laurel Park, has ties to the extremely corrupt Oleg Deripaska who owns 42 percent of Magna International:
http://www.public-integrity.org/article/invent_index.php?id=441
"On September 1, the German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Deripaska stands accused by the Stuttgart Prosecutor's Office of involvement with Russia's Izmailovo mob in laundering 8 million Euros in Germany and bribing judges -- and, most damningly, of contracting the murders of some competitors"
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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Joseph Pizza- whatever - 2010-08-11 11:43:50
You may want to check your facts about the communities being there after the mall development. There were communities there way before the mall was ever even thought of...communities dating back to the 80's and 70's. Communities that will no doubt suffer if the casino is built. The roads around the mall are already bad...and with BRAC coming in are going to get even worse. Casino is just a bad idea all the way around, better fit for Laurel, not a SHOPPING mall, its not a gambling mall, SHOPPING. Leave it at that... VOTE AGAINST QUESTION A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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lisa noell - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral
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coming soon to a mall near you... - 2010-08-11 09:36:59
I think slots opponents are going to have a very rude awakening come November.
I have not seen any argument that has convinced me that there is ANY logical reason to vote against slots.
Unless you live in Hanover...
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Mark M - MIllersville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Ye of short termed memory loss - 2010-08-11 07:15:30
Here is an article talking about the $1.3 billion the Maryland DLS projected for slot revenue and blasted all over the airways leading up to the referendum on the ballot. This is for those poster(s) who seem to have forgot where the magic $600 million I referenced earlier.
I am not arguing the math because some of us knew it was idiotic. I am simply arguing, given the state's current economic affairs, that $600 million sloted for education would be good right about now.
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=30&id=4619
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Johnathan Locke - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2010-08-10 23:49:20
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My Opinion..... - 2010-08-10 23:29:07
Hardly.
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Steve Gundersen - Annapolis, Md - Karma: Terrible
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Slot loonies - 2010-08-10 23:22:35
Just like the global warming alarmists who only predict 40' rise in sea levels, the slot loonies only predict hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to the state. Someone below is looking for his share of the $600 million bounty. 600 million?? Really??
According to my non-scientific web research, average slot payouts average around 90%. Let's assume 80% with the remainder split between the state/county and the developer. That means for a $600 million profit, the total wagered must be $6 billion. According to the county's website, there are approximately 500,000 people in the county. Doing the math, every man, woman and child would have to wager $12,000 to produce the revenue to produce the 600 mil. If we told a family of four we were raising their taxes $48,000, there would be rioting in the streets. But somehow, the public has been duped into thinking slots are the magic bean that's going to make all our troubles go away.
Besides being duped on the math, we're also being told that Arundel Mills is the 2nd largest tourist attraction in the state. Funny, I thought it's a shopping center. What's number one, the Giant on Riva Road??
If anyone really thinks slots are the answer, wherever we put them, I have a bridge in Arizona I'd like to sell you.
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Jim Denora - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Cordish deserves no sympathy - 2010-08-10 20:35:57
Why all of this blubbering for a big money developer? Shouldn't the citizens have a say in this matter? There was NO DISCUSSION whatsoever about putting casinos at malls in the 2008 referendum. Yes, Cordish "played by the rules" when it sprang its application out of the blue, but now the residents should be able to play by the rules and decide if they want a casino at the mall. Since when does the big money entity get the last word?
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Todd Anderson - , - Karma: Neutral
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Casinos - 2010-08-10 18:51:05
I think most people feel there is at least the appearance of impropriety on behalf of Cordish; and a big part of that may be their attempt at challenging the petition signatures. Outside of that, I don't see a huge issue with what Cordish is trying to do. As a business owner, I would want to put my business in an area that was most beneficial to me, and Arundel Kills Mall provides access to a lot of people and is strategically located very close to major roadways.
I, for one, hope they put it there as Arundel Kills Mall is a hole anyway. This would hopefully keep it out of my neighborhood (sorry local residents).
Shouldn't we be asking O'Malley where that $600 million dollars in revenue is by now? Instead he's not getting his hands dirty and waiting for someone else to make the decision.
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Johnathan Locke - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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people - 2010-08-10 13:49:36
What do people expect They expect playgrounds and schools and churches to be separate from casinos they even do this in vegas. They expect that when they pull a plat before they buy a house that the neighbors will have to abide by the registered agreements. They expect that a project already over built will be halted by the county not allowed to increase by 30% .
They expect that this 30% increase will impact the health and way of life they live in as there is no engineering in the world that can eliminate a 30% increase. They expect that when the court of the lands say fiscal and spot zoning are both repugent and illegal that those long establish laws will protect them no matter how tough times are. But after ten years of no police coverage (with simon blaming the county and the county blaming them) A traffic pattern that hasn't worked from day (and for ten yrs Simon and the county blaming the other) I guess it was wrong for them to expect anything but what they have A complex with an incredibly low tax rates as the chamber involvement with the malls management has help them get in place and rob the rest of the county I guess they should exspect to live in a crime zone subject to traffic through long established neighborhoods and a casino approved without a submitted site plan behind closed doors then I guess from every corner of this county we all know what to exspect!
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dave patton - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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welcome cordish! - 2010-08-10 12:50:02
I wonder why someone that purchases a home within a stones throw of a massive, regional shopping mall and two major highways is surprised that there is a lot of traffic in the area.
Cordish did everything right.
Redirect your misplaced anger onto your fellow AACo residents for voting "yes" on the issue to begin with.
Welcome Cordish! Bring in our millions!
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Mark M - MIllersville, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Keith - 2010-08-10 12:27:33
Do tell, do you think De Francis cares about traffic around the race track?
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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Traffic - 2010-08-10 12:10:13
Joseph,
You need to get your head out of the sand. Cordish will spend as little as possible on addressing traffic. In fact, I believe they have indicated in the past that NO traffic improvements were necessary. Even though SHA has indicated there are failing intersections around the mall just based on BRAC coming to Ft. Meade.
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Keith Jamison - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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For those worried about traffic and - 2010-08-10 10:00:16
Use your common sense people. If Cordish get the chance to build this casino, they'll obviously want it to be successful. The'll want people to be able to access it as easily and with as little pain as possible. They want smooth traffic flow. They'll do their best to make that possible. Traffic won't be an issue and who know, maybe it'll improve. In the case of crime, Cordish won't want riff-raff around which would deter potential customers from coming. They'll ensure that the place is well secured to keep this riff raff away. Security at the mall could be better than it is now.
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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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RE: Family Friendly - 2010-08-10 09:24:17
You should look at the Columbus Ohio situation. The Arundel Mills situation is very similar. Both had state-wide referendums that approved gambling. Both now have a second referendum due to concerns about family-friendly location. Ohio voters said NO to gambling in a family-friendly area. Anne Arundel voters should do the same by voting AGAINST question A on the ballot in November.
Two-thirds of adults drink alcohol; does that mean two-thirds of adults are not family-friendly? Below is from a Columbus newspaper article. Does this sound familiar:
"Opponents have said a casino was not part of the careful planning for the Arena District and would not fit in with the "family-friendly" sporting and entertainment venues there, including Nationwide Arena, home to the Columbus Blue Jackets; and Huntington Park, the new home of the Columbus Clippers baseball team; as well as a theater and numerous restaurants and shops."
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Keith Jamison - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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commercial zones came before commun - 2010-08-09 23:35:28
To everybody who is making the argument about a "family friendly destination" and "communities surrounding the mall." You all forget, without the mall, there would be no communities. Before Arundel Mills Mall arrived and the area became a bustling commercial zone, it was all forest land. All the communities followed. What did they all expect? For everything to stay the same? And if you're using the "family friendly destination" argument, then why is nobody upset with a restaurant like TGI Friday's that has a bar that is packed with people drinking until 2 in the morning. Or Dave and Busters-they have a full service bar with plenty of people drinking. And Dave and Busters allows children on premises while people are drinking alcohol. If you're so "family friendly" lets just eliminate all establishments that serve alcohol. And while were at it, let's ban the movie theatre from showing rated Rmovies. Only show G-Rated movies. That way there will be no negative influences on the kids.
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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Rules of the game - 2010-08-09 23:06:59
The referendum is about getting zoning that will allow a slots casino at a suitable location. A place other than a family destination that is in the middle of rapidly growing community. The assertion has been made that the Cordish Cos have played by the rules of this game and should be allowed to build their slots palace. Don't forget that local zoning rules are part of this game. A part is that subject to a referendum.
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Chris Salmi - Severn, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Arundel Mills Location really does - 2010-08-09 18:05:54
It's in a prime location. Arundel Mills is the second-most visited tourist attraction in Maryland an attracts 13 million visitors per year. The site is already a regional mall with roads and infrasructure in place. The casino will be located in a separate building built on the existing parking lot. No trees, grass, or streams will be affected. It will be very environmentally friendly.
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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Hold them accountable - 2010-08-09 17:02:11
If there are problems with the Arundel Mills they must be fixed. Development does not give a license to disregard safety or environmental concerns. Citizens pay a staff of County enforcement officers. Call and request inspection and follow-up. Simon and Cordish will be super-sensitive about addressing any problems. Pressing the issue now, before the election should result in quicker answers and correction. Water and sewer capactiy, that is a key component. Any inadequacies should be corrected by proposed development.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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pawn - 2010-08-09 16:29:23
the pawn might just be the neighbors . as well as any written agreement registered on any plat in this county. These pawns whose now can count its neighbors in the hundreds who have been raped and hundreds more who have been assaulted ( doubt me microfiche the washington post since the malls opening as they list the crimes every Thursday) at this project who have endured 10 + years of construction that has never stopped and keeps expanding. Sewage and water pressure problems ( read the A.A. master plan for water and sewage)a pond system ready to spew a decade of oil sheen and construction toxin into playgrounds ,schools and houses.
There were no rules followed not by the simon corp or Cordish this illegal Fiscal spot zoning with its ever revolving false numbers is the county and developers run amuck behind closed doors for 10 yrs. This is the pawns standing up to this corruption using our fine land development and zoning laws . And the chamber involvement after using these neighbors to tear down that forest and build this 527 acre mess doesn't pass the stink test!
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dave patton - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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Amen Bob! - 2010-08-09 14:38:54
This is what I have been saying all along myself. I'm glad someone finally addressed this issue. Cordish did play by all the rules. Cordish won their slots license fair and square and deserve to be able to build their facility whereever they want as long as it's legal and allowed by state law.
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Joseph Piazzola - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Thanks Bob! - 2010-08-09 12:23:12
Bob, you knew you were going to take hits when you wrote this article. I appreciate you being the FIRST one to step forward and explain the details of this mess, publicly.
You deserve credit.
Shame on the rest of you for being negative respondents to a truly fact-filled article.
And, voters are not stupid.
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jason1 argom - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral
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Question A - 2010-08-09 09:39:27
The decision to be made my Arundel County redidents is whether a casino has a place in a family freindly mall!!! Even the Governor of Maryland who supported slots is clear that a casino does not belong in a mall. If you are tired of big business and special interest running this Country - this is your chance to send a clear message -- VOTE AGAINST QUESTION A!!!!!!!!!!
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sunil pandya - HANOVER, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Cordish Stubborness the Cause of Re - 2010-08-08 23:33:07
Voting against the referendum in November will not make the Slots revenue disappear, it will just delay it slightly until a more suitable location can be selected. The only revenue it could possibly eliminate is that designated to Cordish and their buddies, if another bidder ends up building the facility. Either way, the money will be there for the County and State, but we shouldn't sacrifice a community to the will of big business.
The community was very clear to Cordish that it did not want this facility, and they continue to pursue this location. That is what is causing the delay in revenue to the State and County. If the facility was located at the Race Track where the majority of voters believed it would be, the resistance wouldn't be nearly as strong, and construction could have proceeded more rapidly.
Myself, My Neighbors, My Friends, and many fellow citizens will be Voting Against Question A. We're tired of business interests being held above the interests of families and community.
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Philip Van der Vossen - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Really? - 2010-08-08 21:14:42
Gee Bob, did the Cordish organization write that article for you to publish?
So many inaccuracies and false statements. This is a vote to prevent slots from coming to Arundel Mills, not a vote to put slots at Laurel racetrack.
I beg to differ that the 40,000 signators to the petition would consider themselves a "small" group.
And by the way, the citizens have followed the law and played by the rules as affirmed by the courts, and we deserve to have our voices heard, not drowned out.
Vote "Against" question A on the November ballot.
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Keith Jamison - Hanover, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Chamber is wrong - 2010-08-08 21:14:20
A small group of people? How about 40,000 registered voters objecting to a casino in a mall. These signature were gathered during and after two bad snow storms. One of the small groups that oppose the casino is the Arundel Mills Task Force. The Task Force is made up of 18 community leaders that surround the mall. We have opposed the casino from the very beginning. It is the wrong location for a casino. The casino should be put in a location by itself, where hotels can be built, restaurants and other ancillary gaming facilities surround the casino. This means jobs, taxes, and a destination to go to other than the mall. The petition for referendum will fail because the majority of the votes are going to vote AGAINST Question A on the November ballot.
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Charles Levay - Severn, Md - Karma: Neutral
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Keep in mind - 2010-08-08 15:20:33
The County Council's lack of leadership and dithering is reason this issue is once again in front of the voters. Gambling is a use to be included in the Code. There a number criteria which have to be met. Point; there are funds set aside exclusively for the area surrounding Arundel Mills. Those set aside funds would be shared outside the county if site is Laurel. Mr. Burton's statement includes one very important point; Penn Nation/Jockey Club will be ineligible for a second license. Cordish has the license, that's not going to be taken from them.
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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Cordish addressing concerns?? - 2010-08-08 12:09:30
Not sure what Bob means by letting Cordish address citizens' concerns. He's had an opportunity but had no desire to address our concerns. I have attended many meetings and all we got from the Cordish Companies were nice pictures of Casinos elsewhere. It wasn't until last week at our kick off campaign to stop slots at the Mall that I saw a rendition of the monster structure that will cover the entire Parking lot from Burlington up to the movies, thus blocking the traffic on the already bottlenecked poorly constructed circle that often backs up to 713. Our county council left us hanging by passing legislation that does not require Cordish to take input or even present plans to the community. Why? The Council believed it would be more costly to the developer, and apparently we cater to developers and not our own county citizens. Cordish has time and time stated that infrastructure is in place, when we all know it is not. Studies show there are failing intersections now around the mall without the addition of a mega casino that would bring 10 to 20 thousand more cars to the area. The push to shove this casino down our throats stems from saving this developer the money that it will cost him to develop it in an appropriate place along with developing the appropriate infrastructure which would in term generate more jobs. Govt. catering to special interests!!! What's new?
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Joseline Castanos - hanover, md - Karma: Neutral
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