The Memorial Union saw tempers blaze, opinions flare and even post-debate confrontation Thursday when its Union Directorate hosted a debate over the possible DeJope casino.
But as both sides could agree, the casino referendum on the ballot Tuesday has the potential to greatly change the city of Madison.
\What we have on Tuesday is a tremendous opportunity,"" said Steven Singh, of Students for Fair Gaming and Revenue Sharing Agreements. ""We need to give our county the ability to provide county services.""
Singh claimed the casino would put $91 million into Madison's economy over the next 13 years, enabling the county to revitalize county services, offer property tax relief and create new jobs.
Yet Joe Shumow of Students Against Casino Expansion was quick to refute this.
""If we put every last penny into property tax relief, the average deduction would only be $14, $19 if you live in the city. This amount of tax relief is not worth it,"" he said.
Alderman Mike Verveer, District 4, claimed the disposable income normally spent downtown would shift to the casino if it were built. This would cause the unique State Street atmosphere to suffer, possibly cutting jobs for students who work there.
""The casino is a mistake we will be stuck with forever,"" Verveer declared. ""I'm concerned about the unfortunate harm it will cause to the downtown we know and love as students.""
Speaking as a 21-year-old UW-Madison student, Singh said, ""I think I can decide what to do with my disposable income. I don't appreciate this paternalism and I don't think most students do.""
The casino would be open to all students and citizens over 21 years of age and would provide approximately 1,300 new jobs according to HoChunk Attorney General Rebecca Weise. Weise said 80 percent of jobs would go to non-Native Americans, meaning UW-Madison students could compete for employment with DeJope.
Also pertaining to students, Weise indicated there would not a shuttle from campus to the casino, where alcohol would be served.
Debaters spoke passionately throughout the evening. These strong feelings continued after the debate finished when a supporter of the casino cornered Shumow.
Demanding Shumow reevaluate his perception of sovereignty, the supporter provided further proof of the high stakes nature of the issue.
While Verveer claimed ""the campus that we love is in jeopardy,"" pro-casino speakers said they feel an incredible opportunity is too.
City alders, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Susan Schmitz, president of Downtown Madison, Inc., agree the Dejope casino, 4002 Evan Acres Rd., is not worth the gamble.
The group held a press conference Thursday at the Orpheum, 216 State St., to discuss the casino's potential expansion.
""Alders that represent every part of Madison have recognized that casino gambling will have a tremendous negative impact on our economy, will carry significant social problems, and will threaten part of our city,"" said Ald. Matt Sloan, District 13.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said having the conference take place in the Orpheum is fitting because it, like other beloved downtown Madison institutions, would be hit hard financially by the casino.
""The downtown is a fragile area ... only recently has it become revitalized,"" said Ald. Linda Bellman, District 1. ""If we go ahead and support the casino, we can say goodbye to the downtown area.""
She said the best way to determine how well the casino will support the community's economy is to see how they will bring money in, and where they will spend their money. She said the casino will bring in money from people in the community, and she has already sent $500,000 to California for their advertising, and plans to send more money to Nevada to get their gambling equipment.
Ald. Paul Skidmore, District 9, said casinos can lead to addictive behaviors that strain the family structure and drain financial resource in the family. He said studies show cities with casinos have a 14 percent increase in bankruptcy. He said he finds it puzzling the casino proposes to pay $10,000 for a compulsive gambling program while simultaneously providing numerous ATMs and cash advances to gamblers who have spent all their money.
Cieslewicz said there has been confusion as to why he and the Madison Common Council unanimously voted to put this referendum on the ballot. He said in no way should people assume he supported the casino by putting the issue on the ballot, adding he put it on the ballot because he had to.
Verveer said the city had to put the referendum on the ballot to have a chance to stop the casino under a compact between the governor and the Ho-Chunk nation.
""We all need to make sure to kill this,"" Schmitz said.
