The Editor, Sir:

The following are a few comments from experienced and qualified persons who have seen the negative impact of casino gambling. The comments are specific to the city of Buffalo in New York.

Leaders Go on Record Against Casino Blight - 5/4/2007

"Having closely watched the steep economic decline of Atlantic City following the establishment of gambling casinos, I feel strongly that we cannot let Buffalo suffer a similar fate!"

- Joan Bozer, former Erie County Legislator

"Our community's future lies in developing that which renders us unique, not in copying casino gambling efforts that have failed so many other cities."

- Kevin Gaughan, Local Civic Leader

"A handful of construction jobs cannot possibly be worth the absolutely certain social and economic disaster of a downtown Native American casino. The wonderful but fragile City of Buffalo deserves so much better. Wake up leaders!"

- D. Bruce Johnstone, former Chancellor of the University of the State of New York, Current Chair of the Dept. of Educational Leadership and Policy at the State University of New York at Buffalo

"We in the Buffalo community have a rich heritage with members of the American Indian community that we prize. Those promoting the Buffalo casino are deviously seeking to evade the constitutional prohibition against public gambling by unconscionably using that heritage to foist a very negative gambling operation in our community."

- Norman Joslin, retired Supreme Court Justice and past president of the Buffalo Area Council of Churches.

"I oppose casino gambling for Buffalo because as a vision for the city and as public policy, it is intellectually bankrupt and inherently corrupt. There is nothing creative, nothing imaginative about casino gambling; nothing that lifts our spirits as individuals or our hope as a community. We want, need and deserve far better."

- Mark Goldman, Restaurateur and Local Civic Leader and Activist

"Strong education system and the creation of plentiful, meaningful jobs with decent pay and benefits are commendable goals for Buffalo, its communities and its businesses to pursue. Our schools need a fair, adequate and equitable funding system. Our city's workers need the opportunity to work at jobs that support their families and contribute to the well-being of their communities. Casino gambling is an inadequate and dangerous response to both concerns.

"The reason that positive things are happening in Buffalo can be summed up in two words, unity and attitude; casino gambling is destroying that."

- Ralph R. Hernandez, Board of Education, West District

I am, etc.,

MACHEL HESLOP

machel1980@msn.com

Kingston

Via Go-Jamaica