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REGULAR MEETING APRIL 11, 2015 <br />when the federal government has not made that agreement yet. Second, throughout this <br />agreement the Tribe retains its sovereignty and they can change their mind later and the City has <br />no recourse. This Tribe has changed their mind over the years, when they became a recognized <br />Tribe they claimed they didn't want to start casinos and now they have changed their mind. <br />There is no guarantee of this money over the long -term and there is no recourse we could have <br />because they are a sovereign nation. She stated she realizes the Mayor has worked diligently to <br />make sure South Bend gets something from this potential casino but is concerned that potential <br />money has clouded the potential for the increase in crime both violent and nonviolent. How does <br />giving money to these various groups help the family whose daughter gets raped or the family <br />who doesn't have money for food because they are caught in addictions? Our federal government <br />has not okayed this yet but we are rushing into it. <br />Kelly Havens, 12032 Timberline Trace N. Granger, Indiana 46530, stated even though she is a <br />County resident she is speaking against the casino because it would affect the entire county and <br />Michiana region. The quality of life will change and hurt the residents near that proposed casino. <br />This casino project takes a significant piece of property off the tax rolls and that is a problem for <br />a county that has the distinction of having the highest tax exempt properties in Indiana. It means <br />that whatever taxes will not be paid by the casino will be borne by the rest of the residents in the <br />county. This facility would not be subject to South Bend Code or South Bend ordinances. We are <br />putting a lot of risk into this venture without considering all the possibilities. Most of money that <br />goes into this casino will come from South Bend, Mishawaka and St. Joe County residents and <br />that is money not being spent in grocery stores, retail stores and other establishments. This is $50 <br />million being sucked out of the local economy. Given those negatives, why should any elected <br />official be in favor of this? This agreement only grants two percent (2 %) out of the profits, not <br />the revenue, and that is ridiculous. Why would this Council ruin the Southwest side of the City <br />for that amount of money? When five (5) years from now, and the quality of life has suffered in <br />South Bend, this City will regret this plan and this casino. This plan will have an impact on the <br />federal decision. This Council would be selling the soul of St. Joseph County for two cents on <br />the dollar and some shiny lollipops. <br />Barry Bambaugh, 12032 Timberline Trace N. Granger, Indiana 46530, opposed the casino for a <br />number of moral and ethical reasons but the biggest one is because of the sovereignty issue. The <br />U.S. should not be giving out sovereign U.S. soil to another sovereign nation, we cannot parcel <br />our nation apart. We are not giving England the ability to come buy land and call it sovereign <br />British soil. We should not be doing the same with the Potawatomi. That being said, because the <br />city cannot do much regarding if the casino can come here and cannot do anything about the <br />smoking issue, however the City did negotiate with these people and this would create a <br />monopoly sanctioned by this Council. The Council took away the private rights of the bars to <br />allow smoking and now this Council would allow the Potawatomi to have a monopoly on <br />smoking. Apparently, the agreement also opposes any other gaming that may come into the city <br />because the Potawatomi are afraid of competition. That part of the agreement should be stripped <br />from this bill. You do not have to give approval to this and renegotiate with the Tribe or take <br />away the non - smoking ordinance. <br />Judith Overmyer, 3447 S. Locust Dr., South Bend, stated she lives closer to the proposed casino <br />than almost anyone in the City but that is not the only reason she opposes the casino. The casino <br />nowadays are slot machines that are controlled by the computer and people are guaranteed to <br />lose. Dowagiac in its first year had a $54 million revenue and only gave $2 million of that to the <br />city. The rest of that money was pocketed by the casino and sucked out of the community. <br />Private casinos in Indiana pay in taxes a range from five percent (5 %) to forty percent (40 %). <br />The money being taken out of this casino is money that families should spend on clothes, <br />services and local retail stores. She requested that at least one councilmember votes against this <br />so when the Indians go try to get federal approval they cannot say the City unanimously supports <br />the casino. The Federal Government knows casinos are bad and that is why there is a moratorium <br />on them, South Bend should know that too. <br />Susan Daniels, 1314 Huffinan Dr. South Bend IN, stated she is a private tutor and works largely <br />with students with problems. Those students largely, unfortunately, come from families with <br />problems. She tries to help her students succeed and come to adult life to work and lead the next <br />16 <br />