Rally In Atlantic City In Opposition To Casino Expansion Draws Hundreds
By KYW's David Madden
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- Opponents of a referendum on next month's New Jersey ballot to allow for casino expansion in the northern part of the state rallied in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall to galvanize voter sentiment.
The polls have the referendum going down to defeat, perhaps by large numbers. But organizers of this event want to kill the idea from ever being resurrected by sending a clear message.
"We can disagree about the Indians and the Cubs and we can disagree about Hillary and the Donald," Mayor Don Guardian told several hundred people at the rally. "But the one thing that we're united on is voting no on number one. No North Jersey casinos."
There are seven casinos where there used to be 12. It's thought that two North Jersey gaming facilities could bring Atlantic City's number down to three or four.
Longtime casino worker Ruth Ann Joyce told the crowd the business is only now starting to get back on track. "We are, however, still in recovery mode," Joyce told the crowd. "Now is not the time to kick us in the stomach by allowing the expansion of casinos to the north."
Major funding in favor of the question was pulled last month, but there are fears North Jersey politicians might push for slots at racetracks. It's thought a sound defeat of the proposed constitutional amendment might nip that effort in the bud.
