Voters Approve Casinos

June 25, 2007

By Megan Strader

One by one Ford County residents cast their ballots. And despite mixed feelings, the 3209 to 1816 victory is exactly what Jeff Thorpe had hoped for.

"About 64 percent or so today have said yes, this is the future we'd like to see."

Jeff has been a leader in the "Vote Yes" campaign and says even though there's still a few steps before anything can be built, this is one of the biggest things to ever happen to the area.

"I think it's gonna make a huge difference in where we go and we've all had a good chance to look at it and say yes, we want to take that step."

But not everyone is so excited. Many people in the church community didn't want see families hurt because of increased addiction and crime. That's why one pastor now plans to step up programs to help people who may fall victim to gambling addiction.

"For those how are addicted and would like to get off there are things we can do to help them through that process." Pastor Greg Savage admits he's a little disappointed in the vote but says he plans on living in dodge city a long time and is trying to look to the brightside.

"It may mean more dollars to my children's school and a lot of good things, it's just the families I worry about.

Worries for the future...and the future is exactly what the vote yes side is looking to now.

Thorpe adds, "We're back with out architects and land acquisition issues and getting prepared."

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