Public has spoken on casino issue

After 61 percent of referendum voters approved the first step toward a Cedar Rapids casino on March 5, Scott Stines, a “no” member, was quoted (“Game on,” March 6) as saying he'd be at the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission when the time came (presumably to discourage commission members from issuing a state casino license to Linn County).

Why should “no” voters continue to have any impact on the casino outcome? The commission knows 61 percent of Linn County referendum voters support a local casino. Commission members surely understand that competition is a part of life. Commission: Please listen to the mandating public, the “yes” caucus with its savvy leadership, and issue a gaming license to Linn County at the earliest possible date.

In Rick Smith's interview of David Osterberg (March 7 story), Osterberg is identified as an anti-casino veteran and is quoted as saying, “It was our rich guys versus their rich guys.” No! It was the “little guys” - the ladies and gentlemen who enjoy periodic casino entertainment that ruled the referendum day. ...

James Fine

Cedar Rapids