THE TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012
A5
Majority pulls for slot expansion
Hecklers call out during lengthy, heated council casino consideration ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
R
esidents packed Abbotsford City Hall Monday night to voice their opinions on a proposal to increase slot machines at a community gaming centre. Around 150 people showed up at the public hearing for Chances Community Gaming Centre’s request to boost the number of slot machines to a maximum of 300, in increments of 25 to 50, depending on market demand over time. Most of the audience attending the meeting wore bright blue YES stickers pasted on their shirts. The hearing lasted two and a half hours with 29 people speaking in support of the increased slot machines and eight others opposing the plan. At one point, shouts and heckling at the
– ROCHELLE BAKER/TIMES
Resident Kevin Chapman hands a city staff member a petition with 383 signatures against slots. hearing was heated enough that Mayor Bruce Banman admonished the audience to respect speakers regardless of their individual views or remove themselves from the proceedings. Resident Kuldip Mann brandished a Bible
and challenged council members to raise their hands if they thought gambling would be good for their own families. The city would have to subsidize problems, such as crime, which came along with gam-
bling, he said. “What else does the casino bring to the town? It will bring the skin trade, it will bring all kinds of drug addictions, homelessness,” Mann said. “What you have to look at is the longer, broader picture of this.” He suggested that alternative positive activities be developed instead and that charities should stop taking “blood money.” Chances executives said 72 per cent of the player base, or 2,000 people a month, travel to other gaming facilities with their dollars because they can’t get on a slot machine in Abbotsford. The city, as host government for the gaming centre, stands to earn more than $1 million in revenue annually if more slots are installed and local non-profit organizations would also get increased funding. A number of speakers stressed the social costs and ripple effects associated with problem gambling including increased rates of suicide, broken homes, lost careers and substance abuse. see SLOTS, page A16
STOP
TO MY CONSTITUENTS IN ABBOTSFORD SOUTH
Don’t miss our
Dear Constituents:
SEMI-ANNUAL
It is with a heavy heart, and after many sleepless months, that I have chosen to resign as a member of the BC Liberal Government Caucus. For seventeen years I have done my utmost to faithfully serve both my constituents and the people of British Columbia. Unfortunately, I no longer have sufficient confidence in the leadership of our government to continue as a member of the government caucus.
125
$
00
off designer frame sale
While I appreciate that some of you may be disappointed, I hope that in the coming days and weeks you will afford me the opportunity to share with you the reasons why I have made this decision. In closing, moving forward I will do what I have done for the past 17 years --- to continue to dedicate myself to serving you as best as I can.
$
or
89
00
frame & lenses
I will also seek to put my time, energy and talents into a party that can best provide British Columbians with a broadly-based, credible, free enterprise option in the next provincial election.
single vision scratch coated lenses
• correctly measured & adjusted • full warranty • outstanding after sales service • FREE eyeglass cleaner for life
Respectfully,
John van Dongen, MLA Abbotsford South
FREE VISION EXAMINATIONS (see store for details)
john.vandongen.mla@leg.bc.ca www.johnvandongen.ca 604.870.5945
SEVENOAKS 604.854.3305
face beautiful cosmedic
Dr E Watt MD
www.visionsoptical.com
LASER HAIR REMOVAL • GET READY FOR SUMMER Underarms & Bikini .......$135 per treatment Upper Lip & Chin ..........$90 per treatment
face beautiful cosmedic
104-1945 McCallum Rd • 604.864.8038
botox and fillers skin rejuvenation & skin tightening
Call for complimentary consultation 604.864.8038
Check our website for monthly specials: www.facebeautiful.ca