Citizens debate value of southern Indiana casino

French Lick, Ind., is not Las Vegas or Atlantic City, but the small Indiana community could have more in common with the famous gambling cities in the coming year.\nCitizens for the Future of Orange County have proposed the construction of a gambling boat that will float in the waterway between hotels in French Lick and West Baden Springs. After 10 years of lobbying for a casino, Orange County residents will vote for the referendum in early November.\nBob Fuesel, a top official for the Illinois state crime commission, spoke against the referendum concerning the casino to a group of 100 anti-casino citizens at Paoli High School, Sept. 10.\nFuesel said he wanted to enlighten voters on the issues the casino might bring.\n"I want to inform people and show them the facts," Fuesel said. "Even though the casino will increase revenue, it will increase the liability of the town."\nThe Orange County Coalition Against Legalized Gambling said it expects a rise in crime and drug dealing due to the incoming casino. Fuesel said the location of French Lick will probably not cause an increase in tourism.\n"Las Vegas and Atlantic City are different than French Lick," Fuesel said. "People won't look for restaurants or a place to sleep. They'll just leave."\nEven with the negativity surrounding the casino, the pro-casino force isn't expected to fold in the cards.\nMembers of the Citizens for the Future of Orange County plan to raise awareness about the benefits of the casino with a dance at the American Legion Hall and a closed auction at the West Baden Springs factory. They also plan to gain support by parading during the Indian Summer Festival in Paoli.\nSome members of the French Lick business community suggest that the town, located in one of Indiana's poorest counties, will gain jobs and tax money from the proposed casino.\n"Over 1,000 manufacturing jobs were lost county-wide over the past four years.The casino will bring in 2,000," said Alan Barnett, executive secretary of the chamber of commerce.\nNick Goodman, French Lick airport manager, said revenue from the casino will provide amenities to the community, such as new sports equipment for the schools, more police officers, and improvement to roads. With an expected increase in tourism, Goodman is only worried about waiting in line to buy groceries.\n"The local economy will benefit," French Lick resident Kim Hamlin said. "The tax money will improve roads, schools and property will look better."\nHowever, Fuesel said the stakes are too high to gamble with the future of Orange County. The group remains concerned with the possibility of an increase in mischievous behavior.\nGoodman thinks differently, saying a casino has nothing to do with the crime in Orange County.\n"There's a lot of drug abuse and crime, anyway," Goodman said. "The casino won't make a difference. They just blame everything on the casino."\n-- Contact staff writer Jessica Levco at jlevco@indiana.edu.