The "No Casino in Plymouth" proponents have to be congratulated for their tenacious stand for not having a casino in Plymouth. But, I don't believe that a casino in Plymouth would be a threat to those residents and businesses in and around Plymouth.

Consider the fearful myths of additional traffic, crime, and the thought of losing their lifestyle in a small town community. Traffic exists now for those that commute to places outside Plymouth between, and about, the hours of 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. Before the hours of 5 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Plymouth is nothing short of a ghost town. The majority of casino patrons visit casinos well after 7 p.m. Increased traffic could happen from those patrons from the junction of Highways 49 and 16, to the proposed casino location which could be about one mile away.

Not to worry about traffic. Keep in mind that Indian casino investors are smart and rich. In their plans, with the blessing of CalTrans, they may be able to develop a direct private road from Hwy 49 to the casino similar to Dalton Road off Hwy 88 directly to Jackson Rancheria's casino.

Forget crime. Indian casinos' security is the best, and they are practically crime-free. We can't say the same with Amador County's crime and incidents.

The lifestyles of the after-dark people in a small town community like Plymouth and Sutter Creek are not for active people. Active people want the options of doing something after dark without driving 20 miles or more to a shopping center, a restaurant, or a store for a loaf of bread or ice cream.

My opinion is that the opponents of a casino in Plymouth may not be entirely from our locals, but perhaps from other casinos.

I can only think that a casino in Plymouth would be an asset. There would be employment, direct and indirect revenue sources for Plymouth's coffers, additional fire and police services, and a closer place for the active after-dark people to go.

So why is there a lack of support, and resistance, and imagined, feared liabilities? If, or when, the Federal government allows the casino - support it.