Say NO to Midway Casino

03/03/2021

Here is a direct link to todays house stream:

https://livestream.com/accounts/25225474/events/8737140/videos/218269877?fbclid=IwAR3Wb7tU-nVAijXIP4KHs1iVrQWtYKj3DW9UY6CvmpHSXdr06cn0Z4uUw0s

Watch GA House Mobile Streaming's 132 CAP on Livestream.com.

03/02/2021

We apologize for providing news so late the night before, but we have just learned that HR30 has been moved to the House Regulated Industries Subcommittee and there will be a hearing tomorrow, March 3, at 9am.

Link to Bill Here: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/58966

Link to Zoom call here, available to the public via livestream on the House Broadcast: www.legis.ga.gov/house

Since it is being heard in a subcommittee, they will be voting on the bill versus it only being heard. If it passes the subcommittee it will then be voted on by the full Regulated Industries Committee.

If you or anyone else would like to testify via Zoom for the committee you should email Jan Brown, the committee administrative assistant: [email protected]

It is crucial that we are heard and that if you are available to speak, you do so! Let them know that we are here to fight this until the end and that we DO NOT WANT A CASINO IN MIDWAY!

Please share!

03/02/2021

"In a recent study, my colleague Lei Zhang and I examined the relationship between casino establishments and economic growth of counties in the 48 contiguous U.S. states from 2003 to 2012. We examined the short-term (three-year) and long-term (10-year) county-level economic growth rates.

Specifically, we compared the effects on real per-capita personal income and job growth rates of the counties with and without casinos. We found that the effects of casinos on economic growth to be positive but relatively small.

Casino expansion was estimated to have increased the short-term per-capita income growth rate by 0.4 percentage point and the long-term per-capita income growth rate by 0.5 percentage point in 2003-2012. But after controlling for spatial or neighboring-county correlation effects, the effect of casinos on the long-term income growth disappeared.

On the job side, casino expansion was estimated to have increase the 10-year salary job growth rate by 0.71 percentage point during the 2003-2012 period, and its effect remained but only at 0.67 percentage point after controlling for inter-county spatial effects.

Our study did not examine the negative externalities of casinos. The negatives of casino gambling are well documented. Those negatives include not only behavioral problems associated with gambling, but also other individual, family, social and economic problems.

Gambling availability is associated with increased problem and pathological gambling behaviors among individuals in the casino neighborhood. Also, casinos lead to higher crime rates, but those rates decrease with distance, and the proximity of casino gambling is found to be associated with higher bankruptcy rates.

Policymakers and community leaders/developers must bear in mind that the social costs of gambling remain an important issue in the casino debate. If the economic benefits are short term and small, but the harm to society is long term and potentially irreversible, rather than focusing on the temporary gains, one must weigh the benefits and costs in a comprehensive, holistic manner."

The social costs of gambling remain an important issue in the casino debate.

03/01/2021

There are a million reasons to not want a casino in Midway. We have one of the most beautiful coast lines in the east, a spectacular maze of tidal creeks that provide for the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. We have a historic buildings and nature trails that can take you on the most wonderful adventures. The list could go on forever. Unfortunately, some of the most pressing reasons at the moment are what is shown in this study. The effects it will have on the people in our community.

The study shown below is to the point and accurate. Please give it a read and some consideration.

02/28/2021

"Stephens said another advantage to the legislation is that casinos would not be able to set up shop where they're not wanted. If voters statewide approve the constitutional amendment, a second local vote would be required to build a casino in a city or county, the same requirement the General Assembly imposed on Sunday sales of alcohol 10 years ago."

"Citizens are going to have to ask for it before it's even considered," Stephens said.

ATLANTA — Supporters of legalizing casino gambling in Georgia have failed to make headway in the General Assembly year after year for the last decade amid intense opposition from religious conservatives.

02/22/2021

Another great article from Connect Savannah regarding a casino development looking to build across the Savannah from River Street.

One thing Midway hasn’t touched on yet is the light pollution a casino “resort” would cause to our serine, quiet coastline.

Viewing a light-polluting casino with a glittery Ferris wheel next to it from River Street is so anti-Savannah, I hope every reader is sharpening a pitchfork for the public relations battle that will descend upon you in just three short weeks.

02/22/2021

Hutchinson Island said no as well.

If they can say no, we should be able to say no.

The board of the Jekyll Island Authority approved Tuesday a resolution opposing any effort to bring casino gambling to the island.

02/21/2021

Thank you WTOC-TV for covering the concerns of Midway residents that would be most affected by this casino.

We hope to make our voices heard on more than this one occasion.

Today, dozens of Liberty County residents met with State Representative Al Williams (D) GA-168‚ who supports legalizing casino gambling, on why they’re against it.

02/21/2021

Thank you to everyone that came out today to talk with Representative Al Williams.

If what was said is correct, and this has a LONG way to go to even be approved, then we are glad we are able to get a head start on fighting it.

If it is further down the tracks than implied in today’s meeting, than we have our work cut out for us.

Say NO to Midway CasiNO!

02/20/2021

While Rep. Al Williams rambled on at last nights Board of Commissioners meeting, the questions from viewers streamed in. All were ignored. The Board all but applauded Mr. Williams for his wonderful presentation that "answered all of their questions."

There are a few clips that we wanted to share that stuck out from the rest. After Mr. Williams was done promising hundreds of millions of dollars for anything the county wanted or needed, these were the most important. Namely because they may be the only three things that were either true or provided insight into what was coming if this casino is approved.

*Sheriff Will Bowman was kind enough to mention all of the "undesirables" that come along with a casino. Thank you Sheriff Bowman, intentional or not.

*Mr. Williams also made it VERY clear that he does not gamble and never will gamble. Perhaps the reason he does not gamble is the same reason we should not have a casino in Midway?

*Mr. Williams was kind enough to mention the need to counter the offer of $250,000.00 for addiction & problem services for those with gambling addictions. He requested it be $5 million. "You know there are going to be some problems." At least we can say we planned ahead?

What we are very glad to hear is that this still has to pass at state level and then still go to a local referendum. There should be a few years left to fight this.

We hope to see you at 2pm tomorrow at the Dorchester Academy.

02/19/2021

137 watching. Judging by the comment section, mostly no votes. Not bad for a 3 hour meeting on a Thursday night.

While we feel a lot of us learned that we should attend these meetings more regularly, we think we all came to the conclusion that Al Williams has been bought and sold already by casino interest groups. That was the definition of a snakeoil presentation. The promise of money. 💰💰💰for everyone! No crime! Your kids will get scholarships! A family destination with a Gucci store!

We should have clips of the meeting up shortly for those that missed it OR just want to hear the sales pitch one more time.

We can’t forget about all those “undesirables” coming to town. Or the $5,000,000.00 in additional “addiction” services. That’s 5 MILLION. Already being talked about, because they know what’s coming.

Thank you to everyone that attended virtually. We can only imagine what could be accomplished in person where he is forced to answer questions. We hope to see you all on Saturday.