Dear Supporter
Here we are at the beginning of yet another year - good time to pause, reflect and, of course, renew our aspirations with new resolutions for the coming year. It is in this spirit that I reflect on the highlights of the past four years for an organization that you and I have supported.
Let’s start in the year 2000. Nevada Gold and Casinos, Inc., operating as Blue Diamond Resorts, bought 858 acres of property on Wellesley Island and was proposing major development anchored by a Casino. Citizens throughout Jefferson County were voicing opposition, and NoCasino got started informally. Shortly thereafter, the organization was formalized with Steve Taylor and David Garlock as Co-Chairs. NoCasino worked hard at educating friends and members as well as elected officials on gambling issues. The first Public Forum, sponsored by NoCasino was held in Alexandria Bay in May, 2000. Petitions objecting to the casino were circulated, and signatures were gathered together with endorsements from numerous community organizations. We hired Patricia Marks, a Washington D.C. attorney specializing in Tribal law. Across the river in the fall of 2000, the Canadians voted to approve the Ontario Government sponsored “Charity Casino.” Continuing the thrust on education, NoCasino set up the website www.WhyNoCasino.org.
2001—Blue Diamond Resorts development plan submitted to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation focuses on the possibility of an Indian-based Casino with supporting hotels and marinas including a marina in the Lake of the Isles with potential for 350 boat slips. NoCasino identifies substantial inaccurate data in Nevada Gold and Casinos, Inc.’s development plan and publicizes the inaccuracies to the management of Nevada Gold as well as its shareholders and the media. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLGC) chose the Gananoque location for their new “Charity Casino.” At the same time, they (OLGC) announced a moratorium on any new casinos due to the increasing evidence of negative factors affecting the local community citizens and businesses. The second Public Forum sponsored by NoCasino is held in Alexandria Bay on August 25th. Over 1200 people signed petitions or became members of NoCasino. Direct negotiations with Nevada Gold produced agreement that they would place restrictive covenants on their land holdings on Wellesley Island that would prohibit gambling casinos forever.
2002—The legal documents for the restrictive covenants on over 800 acres were signed stating that none of the premises or structures (current or future) shall be utilized for operation of a business engaged in gambling activities. There would be NO casino on Wellesley Island, but they were all over the rest of New York State and soon to be across the river in Gananoque. Education became the primary thrust of our organization. NoCasino donated various excellent books on gambling to local libraries, chambers of commerce, social agencies, businesses and political leaders to provide information for community members to enable them to make well-informed decisions regarding gambling. The third Public Forum was held in Alexandria Bay with emphasis on continuing education of not only the public but also the various public agencies involved with helping those individuals whose lives are ruined from gambling excess. Planning and preparation for the first annual survey of Jefferson County residents on Gambling Behaviors took months of dedicated effort on the part of NoCasino Board members as well as individuals from the Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community College in Watertown. Experts from around the country on gambling behaviors were consulted. The actual telephone surveys were conducted in November, 2002.
2003—The official results of the survey were published and communicated to elected officials, the press, members and friends. The fourth Public Forum held in Alexandria Bay on July 31st was dedicated to further presentation and discussion of the research results. Joel LaLonde, Project Director from the Center for Community Studies, presented the highlights (visit our website www.WhyNoCasino.org or write us for your own copy). Two quick results are as follows. 1) $49,056,000 is spent on gambling activities per year in Jefferson County. 2) Persons living in households that earn less than $10,000 per year typically spend 15.5% of their annual income on gambling activities. The research was considered a success and in November, the Center for Community Studies conducted the second annual survey. Remember, this survey not only produces actionable data, but the research itself serves as an educational tool on the subject of gambling.
2004— Happy New Year! Assuming you have read the above, you know that NoCasino has accomplished a great deal, and our mission continues: We are an organization dedicated to the prevention of expansion of gambling operations in the 1000 Islands Region. No Casino is committed to providing on-going education, information and research about the effects of gambling on individuals as well as their families, friends, employers, and communities.
This organization runs on a tight budget. Our major expense the past two years is the research project. It is important to continue. Your NoCasino Board of Directors is a dedicated group that willingly gives of our time and money, but we need your financial assistance to continue the good work. Please use the enclosed envelope to mail back your 2004 membership donation - and please be generous.
Thank you for your consideration.
Edward C. McNally
P.S. I would be remiss in not mentioning the extraordinary efforts of Charlotte Nindl Wellins who has served as President of the NoCasino Board of Directors for several years, taking the helm from Dave Garlock and Steve Taylor. Charlotte has seen the devastation gambling can cause as an educator in Atlantic City, NJ. She has brought the nation’s foremost gambling authorities to our public forums, and they have provided tremendous assistance to local agencies such as the Northern New York Center on Problem Gambling. Thank you, Charlotte.