Saturday, September 23, 2006

The Rev. Patrick Walsh understands slot machines at Seven Springs may be a
done deal. But though most of those playing the quarters at the popular
resort likely will be from out of town, Walsh is concerned about the
implications gambling could have on families closer to home. "You can't say
it's not going to impact people in our own community. They're going to go up
there," said Walsh, pastor of Rockwood Christian & Missionary Alliance
Church near New Centerville. For the first time since Seven Springs applied
for its slots license, anti-gambling activists are mustering united
opposition in the county. Dianne Berlin, volunteer coordinator of
CasinoFreePA and vice chairwoman of the National Coalition Against Legalized
Gambling, will be the featured speaker at a community meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday at the church. "I think there is considerable opposition to
gambling, but people are not speaking up," Walsh said. "There's been a lot
of PR from proponents of gambling, from the governor on down. But they've
not looked at the impact it's going to have on our community and families."
Seven Springs and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in neighboring Fayette County
are the only two applicants for the state's two resort-gambling licenses. If
approved, Seven Springs intends to build a 500-slot casino.

Middlecreek Township supervisors already have come out against the plan on
moral and practical grounds in objections filed with Pennsylvania Gaming
Control Board in Harrisburg.

A hearing for the two resort licenses is scheduled for Oct. 25 in
Harrisburg.

Even though the slots will be open only to resort guests who spend $25,
Berlin said the ramifications will run deep.

"It's not just going to be the people from out of town who are going to
gamble," she said from her home in Lancaster County.

Berlin said the forum will provide information on the impact of casinos on
localities, how the law was passed to legalize gambling in Pennsylvania and
why it should be repealed.

"It's never too late to repeal a law - and especially a bad law," Berlin
said.

"People don't understand all of this. I wish I didn't know as much as I do,
because it makes me sick."