Fort Erie slots decision stinks

RE: TOWN HALL LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT FORT ERIE SLOTS DEAL, OCT. 16

When my wife and I moved from Toronto to Fort Erie we learned that the slots were an integral part of the community fabric. It was a place for great fellowship with others in our new town.

It also provided jobs for some 300 plus people; paid for the track and many charities; and provided the province with healthy financial returns.

The Toronto political elite will never comprehend the human aspect of what the slots meant in our community.

Without the slots the track’s management had to almost grovel with the province each year to keep the facility running.

Our politicians told us in recent years they were working tirelessly to bring back our slots. Sadly, they were completely caught off guard when the Oct. 2 “no slots” decision was announced. After all these years they discover they weren’t on the same page as Jim Thibert of Fort Erie Economic Development Corp.

Conveniently Mr. Thibert and his cohorts signed a non-disclosure agreement with Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. Where is the transparency for us, the taxpayers? The announcement indicates that several tracks opted to bring back slots.

Thibert’s Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium board (those invited) chose additional financial support over slots.

They claim that for them it was the only “reasonable” decision and anyone else would have come to the same decision.

I’m asked therefore to conclude that the “several” tracks that opted for the slots alternative all made the wrong decision.

Until there is clarity on this decision there is a palpable odour in the air.

Dave McGlaughlin

Fort Erie