In regard to the Calexico casino proposal and what I think we, as citizens, need to think about when we are voting on it. This business is not going to attract high-paying jobs. It is going to take away services like police assistance from the city to deal with problems related to the casino. Yeah, a lot of people are going to come to gamble, but they are not going to be stuffing money into the general fund.

I think the City Council better be prepared later on if this casino only brings headaches. Mr. Renison, you just want to look good by showing what you are bringing to Calexico for all your friends in Mexicali. It seems to me you only care about those people. People from Yuma are not going to come to gamble here, either; they have their own casino.

I am not a casino person, but once a year I go or pass by the ones in Yuma and yes they are nice, but have you been around them? Dirty parking lots and very bad landscaping as soon as you go about 50 yards from the building. The Calexico City Council always looks for the quick fix and here is another one. Why can't they get their hands dirty and work on something positive for the whole area instead of settling for this casino?
Sure, let's get our seniors a casino, since none of the council members can figure out a way to get a hospital here. Mr. Renison, you've been on the job for a couple of years now and I don't think you have done an adequate job. I hope you don't try running for a higher post because at the Imperial Irrigation District or the county you need to work instead of just showing your face at functions to have your picture taken.

Every so often I see you on TV in Mexicali, but you represent the interests of Calexico, not what you can bring to Calexico to better serve your Mexicali friends. I told you, Mexicali shoppers are going to continue to shop in Calexico no matter what (Marketing 101). Our city has become and you have let it become Mexicali's doormat.

JULIAN LOPEZ

Calexico