Okmulgee Residents Say Casino Has Been Good Neighbor

As the controversy intensifies in Broken Arrow,. we wanted to know what impact other small Oklahoma casinos have had on nearby neighborhoods.

01/04/2012 Related Story: Tribe Behind Broken Arrow Casino Remains Silent Amid Controversy

People who live and work in the same area as Creek Nation Casino in Okmulgee say it's just part of the neighborhood

Take a drive down highway 75 into the town of Okmulgee. Right off the busy road is the Creek Nation Casino.

It's not a flashy casino, but business appears to be steady. People stop in to see if lady luck is on their side.

The casino shares the area with a church, homes, and across the street a business. News On 6 asked if the casino drew negative attention and trouble to the area.

"No problems at all. We haven't had any difficulties with people coming over here or traffic whatsoever," said Paul Fehrenbacher, General Manager of Pump and Motor Works across the street.

"I notice people walking up and down the highway, but there hasn't been a problem with anything," Donald

"It seems like they try to be a very good community partner. Both them and the Creek Nation itself, we haven't had any problems with them," said Nolan Crowley of the Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce.

Families that live nearby say trash can sometimes be a burden. The speed limit down a nearby road is posted at 35, and neighbors wish drivers would slow down.

Gaylynn Murphy says the foot traffic can sometimes be unnerving.

"Just a lot of people walking up and down the street. A lot of traffic. It's all through the night. It's kind of scary," Murphy said.

Paul Fehrenbacher works alongside this casino and lives just two miles from the one being built in Broken Arrow.

"There's one on every corner. It's probably not in the best place for a casino right there with the school being across from it," Fehrenbacher said.

But the Chamber says a casino in the neighborhood doesn't necessarily mean crime will follow.

"That may not be the best location, but I think that some of their concerns is going to be stuff they don't actually have to worry about," Crowley said.

The Okmulgee Chamber of Commerce says the casino has been there nearly two decades. It was a bingo hall before that.