Opponents said the community safeguards written into a new set of slots bills are simply not enough protection from traffic and crime.
"If you vote yes, you are selling out the values and quality of life of an entire community," Hanover resident Karianne Cibello told the council.
But proponents of the plan said the safeguards go far enough, and mall neighbors should not force the rest of the county's residents to miss out on...
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Comment - 2009-05-30 15:26:58
Rob A....did you vote in November? Granted you may not have had the opportunity to participate in the years of wrangling, but you did have the opportunity to participate in the vote. The majority of the constituents in the district voted FOR slots. If you arrived in the neighborhood after the election,your realtor might be liable for not disclosing it.
In PA, the Route 202 bypass in Bucks County was "on the books" for literally 70 years. It never was built because of the bickering about where it was to go and obtaining the easements. Eventually the easements were obtained and the road built. The homeowners knew the situation when they bought/built but felt it woudl never happen. Well it did. For many years they had a lot of open space to enjoy. But once the highway was built, they had 4 lanes of concrete. Unfortunate for sure, but they can;t say they were not informed.
Chris S. You are absolutely right. The council is saddled with the issue. Just make a decision and move on. I find the entire council so weak and spineless for them to sit there and do nothing!
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John F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Blame Game - 2009-05-30 10:25:00
The County Council is in the bad position with slots zoning, but it is not of their making. Remember that this mess was created by elected officials at the state level, then dumped on local officials. It was elected officials at the state level that took how many years to approve slots. It was state elected officials that put forth poorly written referendum questions and promoted slots at tacks. If slots come to an unwanted location, remember it was not the County Council that put them there. It was the State.
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Chris S. - Severn, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Most Homes Near Arundel Mills Were - 2009-05-29 15:34:39
John,
Most of the homes right next to the mall were built in the last 2 years. We had almost no chance to complain to our local delegates because most of us did not know who they were. So, for most of us this whole issue was an very rude welcome to the neighborhood.
www.stopslotsatamm.com
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Rob A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Slots - 2009-05-29 09:07:25
No one had the foresight to think they could be anywhere else. Who's fault is that?
Where were all the concerned citizens when this thing was being put on the referendum? They were all complacent in their back yards flipping burgers and assuming it was not their problem but Laurel's. This is EXACTLY why people need to become involved and voice their opinions. You can't buy a car and drive it for years and return it saying you did not like it.
For the record, I believe slots are better suited for the track for a number of reasons, but the crux of this issue is that the Council is sitting on their butts and refusing to take a stand. We elected them to represent their constituency and by no action , they are not representing anyone!
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John F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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No to Slots - 2009-05-28 16:27:26
Sorry, but I disagree. Laurel does not have the public service infrastuture needed to support the slots at the race track. Both AA Fire Department and Police Services are understaff now, not to mention the additional burden on PG and Laurel City services.
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Rick M. - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent
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Only MD could screw.. - 2009-05-28 09:02:12
up slots. Damn we are good! Only MD could take a money making prop and turn it in to a loser. When Gov Ehrlich wanted slots nope we will not give in as soon as O'Malley is in all the Dems are on board. But when the timing is right for the Dems the economy tanks so once again we lose money. And I think I heard Delaware now will have table games in their casinos. So folks will probably still go over the border. So once again MD drops the ball. Waa Waa I don't want casinos at Anne Arundel Mills. Believe me the council wants slots in the county and west county is the best place for them so suck it up or move. Cordish Co. is an outstanding company and I am confident they will build a great casino as well as a great entertainment complex. And we could use a great entertainment complex in this county.
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Pat Magroin - Arnold, MD - Karma: Bad
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Where the slots go.... - 2009-05-28 05:24:52
Jonathan. Nobody, but nobody could have had the foresight to know that the slots would have ended up in Arundel Mills Mall prior to the election. Virtually all of the pre-election campaigning led voters to believe the slots would go to racetrack or related venues. Even the papers were "stunned" by the announcement after the election. So, in my view any one vote for slots did not necessarily extend a carte blanche right to local lawmakers to change the zoning to allow slots at Arundel Mills Mall. If it's the taxpayers' concerns at the forefront of all this, Laurel seems to be the right choice for adding slots if it's to be at all.
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Jim K. - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Yes - 2009-05-28 04:58:42
Agree with you Maryellen. Laurel already has the infrastructure and facilities to handle the slots and cost the taxpayers way less money to get slots set up. I know slots won on the ballot, but now as people realize they could be coming to a neighborhood near them (with the proper rezoning) they seem a lot more reluctant. You wanted them, and you should have figured that the state was going to put them where they make the most money...if thats Arundle Kills Mall, so be it.
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Johnathan Locke - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Slots needed for jobs? Malarkey! - 2009-05-28 04:58:38
Who's kidding who? Shouting out slogans of "slots for jobs" is selfish and wreckless. It takes nothing else into account and mind you, it ignores everyone else's concerns about residential drag down. In the face of BRAC growth, the county ought to think it wise not to risk that (i.e., residential growth) going to Howard County. Additionally, although slots are the same, they are comparable in some ways to legalizing or zoning drug dealing, prostitution, adult video stores, or the like to justify the creation of jobs in a combination residential and family-oriented commercial venue. If Cordish is looking for return on investment at a mall, why not try an indoor family amusement park with rides? That would draw them around here year round, no doubt!
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Jim K. - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Slots at Arundel Mills - 2009-05-27 17:39:20
"Damned-if-we-do, damned if we don't," says Middlebrooks, R-Severn in deciding to put slots/casino at Arumdel Mills. That is utter nonsense. The Laurel location for slots in AA County will still produce the same number of jobs (perhaps more, with resurrection of horse racing) the same amount of revenue without so much collateral damage to nearby communities. Even having to mention 24-hr enhanced security, new traffic design,additional parking, and 1000 feet from pawn shops, adult bookstores and adult theartres is recognition of the adult entertainment activities, unfit for a family centered environment. A casino and a shopping mall are not compatible. The only ones damned in this scenario are the immediate families and businesses in and around Arundel Mills Mall and the citizens of the County who travel to the regional mall for family safe shopping and activities. Cordish needs to work out a deal with Magna and locate this operation at Laurel Race Track a far more compatible location for a slots/casino.
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Maryellen Brady - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Slots at Arundel Mills - 2009-05-27 17:32:58
I can understand the frustrations of the neighbors near Arundel Mills. To a degree, everyone is a NIMBY.
But the facts speak for themselves that the citizens of the state, county, and even that district voted in favor of allowing slots.
If Rob A was not one of those, I am sorry, but we live (thankfully) in a democracy. As slots may be bad for your neighborhood, they might be equally as bad for Russet near the track.
The boundaries of the legislation were VERY clear, and the referendum needed to be rewritten to make it even more clear two weeks before the election. 2 miles on either side of MD 295.
The saving grace is that the council can disallow it on a zoning issue. Will that stand up when challenged in court? Who knows. But right now, the Council is looking pretty ineffective to me by sitting there and doing nothing. The issue is not going away--either way. You either uphold the will of the voters, or you deny the zoning. But for crying out loud, make a decision!
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John F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Learn the facts - 2009-05-27 14:08:29
This proposal fails to protect the residents near the mall and the people of Anne Arundel County. Learn the facts:
www.stopslotsatamm.com
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Rob A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent
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