The casino project will anchor the Gateway Plan, providing the impetus to attract other businesses. I am not saying that the casino is the answer to all of Beloit's problems, but its development will go a long way in improving the economic climate in Beloit. If our city is to grow, it needs jobs, not the highest rate of unemployment in the state. City government needs revenue to provide vital services to its citizens, not one of the highest rates of property taxes in the state. Beloit already has the third highest crime rate in Wisconsin, after Milwaukee and Racine.
Crime is already here.
And the tribes know this, and they want to see the crime rate go down. Crime is bad for business. The tribes would like to see more police officers in Beloit and are willing to place money at the disposal of the Beloit Police Department for the hiring of more officers. The tribe knows the safer the streets of Beloit are, the more people will want to come to Beloit and that means more customers for the casino. I hope the citizens of Beloit will study long and hard on the issue of the casino and vote with their conscience Nov. 7.