Gambling in the Glades?
by Jennifer Sorentrue | December 1st, 2009Fresh off vacation, Palm Beach County Commission Chairman Burt Aaronson said a casino might be just the boost the embattled Glades region needs.
“It is something to think about,” he said.
Aaronson, a cruise maven and tourism booster, also said the county should do more to help bring slots to the Palm Beach Kennel Club. The club, he said, has been at a “disadvantage” since state lawmakers allowed Broward’s parimutuel facilities to have slots.
“The fact of the matter is we do have gambling here and to put the Palm Beach Kennel Club at a disadvantage over the others is a crime.”
Allowing gambling in the Glades would help bring economic development to the region, Aaronson said.
The economic downturn caused depression levels of unemployment in the region this summer — 40 percent when the number of people who have given up looking for work is included. It has also left Palm Beach County’s three cities on Lake Okeechobee – Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay – saddled with mounting debt and dwindling property tax revenues.
Tags: Burt Aaronson, gambling, Glades, Palm Beach Kennel Club
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December 1st, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Aaronson gets dumber by the day. Gambling in the glades? What’s next Riverboat Queen in the EEA??? He should follow Bobby Bowden’s lead and get the heck out of PBC. We;ve had enough of this arrogant ol codger.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:05 am
That may not be a bad idea. It is out of the way and people who want to gamble will go where ever it is at. It can produce jobs. It makes more sence than an inland port. Open a dog track and horse track out there too. Boat racing and mud bogging. Build an I-drive.
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 am
Finally, someone for gambling. I lived in South Philly bordering a city that was falling apart, murders everyday, no funding for kids things like a YMCA. They built a Harras Casino next to the maximum security prison over there, and sure enough it worked out GREAT, generating tons of tax money for the city.
There is no reason why slots should be illegal in one part of the state when not in another part. Especially in a county where the elderly spend lots of money to travel to casinos.
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 am
I didn’t know Bobby Bowden was in PBC hhmmm.
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Don’t usually support Aaronson, but this idea of gambling out west is good. Build it and they will come.
Agree that PBC is being penalized, while Broward is sucking all the money from this county.
Know people who drive down to Coconut Creek, Hard Rock.
Hope something happens in the Glades!
Get moving and planning!
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Interesting idea and would tie in well with the Lake as a tourist destination.
December 21st, 2009 at 7:04 am
Good way to start!