Lake Community Protests Casino

Memorial Day boaters weren't the only people on Grand Lake Monday. Dozens of protestors gathered near the lake to voice their opposition to a proposed casino. The Seneca Cayuga tribe hopes to build

Monday, May 28th 2007, 4:28 pm

By: News On 6

Memorial Day boaters weren't the only people on Grand Lake Monday. Dozens of protestors gathered near the lake to voice their opposition to a proposed casino. The Seneca Cayuga tribe hopes to build the casino on U.S. Highway 59 in Grove. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright was at the protest, he reports protestors think there are already plenty of casinos in northeast Oklahoma, and if people want to gamble, they can go somewhere else.

Just as they are every year the boaters were out in force on Grand Lake during Memorial Day. Nearby Grove has always been known as a quaint, summer town, and many of its residents would like to keep it that way. They lined U.S. Highway 59 Monday urging passersby to say no to a proposed 100,000 square foot Seneca Cayuga casino.

"It's a detriment to our community,â€ said Pastor James Wilder with Grove First Baptist Church. â€œIn order for anyone to win, everybody else has to lose."

The tribe recently purchased a track of land in town. Plans for the casino include a five story hotel with 125 rooms, a convention center and three restaurants. The protestors though say Grove is just fine the way it is.

"People putting it in are in it for one reason, and that's money. And Grove is doing alright without it," said Grove resident Ben Hynum.

On the other hand, business owners believe Grove is poised for growth, and residents shouldn't be so exclusive.

"It's the same thing everywhere else you go. Now that I'm here, I don't want anyone else to come here because I got here. Now let's close the doors, you can't do that," Grove business owner Ava Bagetta said.

The protestors claim they aren't trying to close the door, but rather save Northeast Oklahoma from yet another Casino. They point out that there are already scores of them in nearby Miami, and if people feel the need to gamble, they can head for the turnpike.

"There's like a dozen or more casinos within an hour of here. If you want to gamble then take a drive," said Hynum.

The protestors are urging residents to contact their state representative and voice their opposition to the casino. For now, the Seneca Cayuga tribe expects construction to begin this summer, and the casino is scheduled to open next summer.

Watch the video: Casino Protest