Thoughts on the casino bill

Most of our information comes from the newspapers, whether they are correct or not. Our politicians use the media themselves to communicate with us. As a businessman trying to make a living on Saipan and encouraging businesses to move here, I am terrified of this casino bill and what it implies.

Questions: 

* Is the rebate changing? 


* Why would you take away the rebate from small business and the people while giving a 100 percent rebate to a casino? 


* Has there been any thought or consideration, or have they ever asked business or the people of the consequences? 


* What study or planning has taken place? (This sound like a “pass it so we know what is in it” thinking) 


* Do we remember the $190 million contract? (The smell is the same, negotiated in darkness)

* Why was this done in haste? 


* Why are the citizens not involved? 


* Follow the money, where does it lead? 


* Does this sound like it is tailored to one investor who told them what to do? 


* What is the pay off? (Government contracts rammed through smell of opportunity for a few without thought to consequences) 


* Has there ever been a study showing the income to the government from casinos? 


* Is there any consideration for an honest evaluation? 


* Is a 2,000-room hotel even reasonable? 


* Does the license affect the Dynasty?


* How many people would you need to work in a 2,000-room hotel and casino? (I am told between 2,500 and 3,000) 


* Where will that many workers come from? 


* Will they live in barracks like the garment industry? 


* What will the room be like with traffic during shift change? 


* What will the impact be on the village where the hotel will be built? Water? Power? Sewer?


* What kind of impact will this have on the island and those concernrf about culture? 


* How many years for this to be built? 6 or 7? 


* How will that save the retirement?

* How many visitors can this island handle? 1 million? 2 million?


* How many people do we want living on the island? 70K? 100K? 150K?


* What would those numbers look like?



* What would our roads look like?

I am sure there are plenty of you out there who have many more questions.

These are only a few of the questions to be asking our government leaders. They need to be reminded that elections are coming. With all the economic studies that have been completed the past three years (I believe five), are there business besides casinos that might be good. Elected officials: Look to improve the business climate to attract businesses and not destabilize it with half-baked bills that look self serving.

We, as an island, need to plan for the future and identify what we want become. Do we want to be Tumon or Honolulu? Leaders, why do you do this to us? 
Leaders, feel free to call me if you are truly interested in what one of the voters and businessman on island has to say.

Del Benson 
Capital Hill, Saipan