Ads for proposed casino are misleading, opponents say
»Play Video
WOOD VILLAGE, Ore. -- The battle is heating up over whether Oregonians should allow the first casino in the Portland-metro area.
Opponents of The Grange, the proposed casino, are accusing casino backers of misleading advertising. They believe the Canadian backers of the casino are intentionally glossing over the fact this would primarily be a place to gamble. Instead they said the ads promise a family-friendly resort in an effort to get voters to pass Measures 82 and 83.
If the Multnomah Greyhound Track in Wood Village is to be transformed into a $300 million casino, which would feature a hotel, a water park, a movie theater, a concert hall and restaurants, backers must convince voters to change the Oregon Constitution to allow non-tribal casinos.
In the first advertisement, supporters said, "We're talking about The Grange, a proposed casino complex." The words "casino" and "gambling" are only used once. The rest of the ad is for everything but gambling.
Opponents calling themselves "Casino: Still a Bad Idea," said the ad is proof casino investors can't be trusted.
"There is no reason to believe they will ever put in a non-revenue generating thing like a water park, or theater, there's no reason to believe they would do that," said Teresa Bright, a casino opponent.
Grange spokesman Rick Metsger said he doesn't think it's misleading to have the first ad be about a family-fun park.
"No, because it does include all the elements in that," he said. "The thing is to get people's attention about what this facility is based on their own comprehension (of) what is a casino facility."
Opponents of the casino said The Grange will drive up crime. Supporters of the casino said there will be hundreds of cameras tracking people's every move and that every car that comes on the property will have its license plate recorded.
"All we're going to do is provide more opportunity for more people to possibly become addicted to gaming," said casino opponent David Leslie of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Metsger has an answer for that.
"There are millions of dollars from this project to gambling addiction," he said.
Supporters of the casino point out the opposition to The Grange is being funded by the Grande Ronde Tribe, which already has Spirit Mountain Casino.
One of the primary questions is whether The Grange will actually build a family-friendly environment. Measure 83 requires investors spend at least $250 million -- an amount investors said that proves they will follow through on their promises.
Well, given the description it DOES sound like it would offer plenty of "family fun". Â Now, if you're only gripe is the fact that there are also plans to have a *gasp* CASINO as well. Â Then here's a handy tip: Â don't go to the Casino! Â You want to catch a movie? Â Great! Â Water Park?! Â Sounds like lots of fun. Â No one says you have to gamble.Â
No on 81, 82 83
A political ad misleading??!?!?!! Really!??! Â The horror!!
Â
*eye roll ~ what do they really expect any political ad to be truthful and accurate?
 @dandalion Exactly!
The one question I have never heard brought up !! Why should anyone allow our constitution to be changed to...."only Bruce Studer and Matt Rossman, 2 wealthy developers, can own a casino in oregon", because that is exactly what the amendment under measure 83 states....Go read it if you don't believe me ! Sounds like cronyism to me ! Our Oregon Constitution was not ment to give particular individuals rights above ALL others !!!
Â
http://votesmart.org/elections/ballot-measure/1751/authorizes-privately-owned-wood-village-casino-mandates-percentage-of-revenues-payable
The Amendment is for allowing non Indian Casinos in Oregon . The Ballot Measure is to allow the Casino in Wood Village . Get your facts straight.
 @sargerator 82 amends the constitution to allow private casinos.  83 allows The Grange at the Wood Village site. Â
I don't care one way or the other about the Casino. If they do put in a waterpark, movie theater and bowling I think that will be very successful. I know severa people who have taken their families up to Great Wolf Lodge in Washington because the kids want to go to the waterpark. The old dog park needs to be converted into SOMETHING...it looks trashy out there deteriorating. If investors want to sink the money into the area and create jobs I am all for it. Sure, they are not high paying jobs, but they are jobs. We need more people earning wages and paying taxes.
I've see alot of posts in here about the "other" facilities that they(Grange) are going to install along with the "casino". I think they really need to push these in their ads, due to the fact that on the first mention of the casino they stated that it will be a "non-smoking" casino. Yes, I am a smoker, and yes, I like to gamble every now and again. Statistics have shown that most gamblers smoke( which is why they don't advertise that fact, i believe).So the success of this casino will probably fall on everyone else that wants to patronize all the other amminities that they are offering. Me, I'll stick with the indians.
I don't get all of the moral busybodies that think they have the right to prevent people from doing what they want to do, and what they are doing already anyway. Your anti-vote doesn't stop or even lessen gambling, prostitution, drug-use, etc. I don't smoke pot, for example, but I could easily have a loaded bong within and hour, and so could you. Legalizing freedom doesn't spurn new users and participators -Â it takes the activity off the black market and allows adults to make their own decisions as it should be.
Â
Specific to this case, I know a couple of problem gamblers that have no problem driving to Spirit Mountain. The drive for them is not prohibitive, and prohibition has never solved (or even lessened) a single problem we have ever had.Â
Â
In a time when our schools are underfunded and unemployment is high, we ought to be thinking about ways to increase revenue and/or decrease spending so that we can provide basic essential services. Despite that the large investors are Canadian, the size and scope of this project will create a large number of jobs and tax revenue. Who cares if a few Canadians get rich in the process - why shouldn't they for their efforts?
In the end the only difference is whether people will gamble close to home or drive hundreds of miles to gamble. In the end if someone wants to gamble they will without the voter's consent. If they bring back beauty to an eyesore that is already attracting crime, so what. Plus if they do follow through with the promises on the family entertainment, it might be a great place to visit. But in the end look at who is funding each side and do some research yourself. I plan to, and that is what the responsible voter should do.
I like all of the unsubstantiated objections and claims made by the opponents, especially I812. Do you really think that someone working at the Grange is going to be WORSE OFF than if they were unemployed?? The Grange is going to provide jobs. You know, those things everyone says we need to finally turn this recession around. It will also bring some nice entertainment options to the Portland area including (gasp!!) gambling. How about we let adults be adults and do something that will improve Oregon's economy.
I read the advertisement for the casino and was astounded. It was very apparent they want me to believe this is all about a community gathering place and fun center. By not calling it what is is, it only drew more attention to the fact that they are trying to fool and con us into allowing something the community doesn't need.
Â
Additionally:
Â
"Supporters of the casino said there will be hundreds of cameras tracking people's every move and that every car that comes on the property will have its license plate recorded."
Â
--To me this is proof that this will attract a lot of unsavory characters and crime. If not so, then the cameras wouldn't be needed in the first place.
Â
"There are millions of dollars from this project to gambling addiction."
Â
--How about we not build it at all so that less money has to be spent helping people overcome an addiction?
 @Golden --How about we not build it at all so that less money has to be spent helping people overcome an addiction?
"There are millions of dollars from this project to gambling addiction."Â
Like the millions that families will lose by someone who was conned by the ads.
The amount put forward to help with gambling addiction??
Will be claimed as a tax credit..
You have seen the ads you have seen the mailings ..
This has cost millions and must be paid for because the house never loses..
@Golden   "By not calling it what is is"
Directly from the advertisement...""We're talking about The Grange, a proposed CASINO complex."" Yeah, how misleading by calling the Casino a Casino....yup, they TOTALLY don't call it what it is!
Â
"To me this is proof that this will attract a lot of unsavory characters and crime. If not so, then the cameras wouldn't be needed in the first place."
They have cameras at the banks, they have cameras at Target or the mall....are you saying anyone who goes into a bank, Target or the Mall are unsavory characters?  Cameras are a great deterent of crime, but does not mean that "a lot of unsavory characters" will frequent  the place it just means if something does happen, they will be ready for it!
Â
"How about we not build it at all so that less money has to be spent helping people overcome an addiction?"
Yeah because people can't gamble at all right now in Oregon! Yeah, great idea! No really!
It looks to me as if most everyone who is commenting, has never read anything about the project They are just ranting with preconceived ideas. No one seems to be seeing this project as a community improvement over an abandoned dog race track (which must attract many undesirables) and be an eye sore besides. People who gamble will gamble whether it is at a casino or some backroom illegal game. This sounds as if it is going to offer much more than just the casino. Spirit Mountain could offer other types of entertainment and shops. I enjoy their buffet but if nobody spent any more than I have gambling the would not have lasted 2 years.
The only thing people need to understand about casinos is they make money. This means if you play long enough they will take your money.Â
Â
The only thing people need to know about the proposed "grange" casino is it is backed by Canadian interests. This means the majority of profit will not just leave the state but it will leave the country.
Â
Finally, these facilities typically increase the demand for social services (read: taxpayer supported services) because many of the jobs will not pay a living wage. This means more food stamps, more Oregon health plan, more free or reduced price school food programs, etc.
Â
If you want to promote socially destructive industries, by all means vote for the "grange" proposal and be prepared to pay for the consequences. If you think there are better solutions for Oregonians and their families, vote this proposal down ...AGAIN!
 @I812 Question..."Finally, these facilities typically increase the demand for social services (read: taxpayer supported services) because many of the jobs will not pay a living wage"
Â
Is there a way to form a union for the workers before the casino is built, to insure decent wages that are'nt just min.
 @jonsiesd2  @I812 I *think* a union clause might be able to be written in to the contract to agree to the building of the casino but usually it is the vote of the working employees that gets a union into a business. So long and short answer is that it probably depends on how the politicians and government regulating agencies allow the project to built.
Because this is a statewide vote I'm going to vote for it. I don't live in Portland, I live in the Columbia River Gorge where a number of years ago a statewide vote established the Columbia River Gorge Commission. Yes, I'm being vindictive and I'm yes, I'm going to vote for the Grange because of it.Â
Well, I will freely admit that I'm undecided, so far, about this one... Â I'm not much of a gambler (it's fun for a little while, then I just get bored)...but I sure don't have any moral objections to someone else enjoying it... I don't live in or around Portland, so this proposed casino, etc wouldn't have an "in my backyard" impact on me, but I can appreciate the concerns of those who DO live in that area (increased traffic, etc)...Â
Â
On the flip side, I can understand those who believe that this casino would help boost tourism to the area, and increased revenue for local businesses; a major concern these days, for sure..! Â Â
Â
I haven't yet read either of these measures, but I plan on reviewing both of them - carefully... Â
 @margay1 Well said.  Just remember that every pro-casino ad will be spun to make things seem less like a casino and more like a resort destination that happens to have a casino.
Â
Conversely, every anti-ad will be massively funded by Spirit Mountain Casino just like it was in 2010 (they spent over $600,000) because this casino would destroy a large market share for SMC.
Dienekes4160 -- just a curious question that might get buried in other comments. Â Are you for 82 (constitution amendment) and merely against 83 (Wood Village casino site) or are you against both?
  "this would primarily be a place to gamble." Gee imagine that.... Well gosh I guess that's why they want to call it a "Casino". Snicker, snicker. I suppose if you are grabbing at straws that would be a good one to grab.
"convince voters to change the Oregon Constitution to allow non-tribal casinos" This is just the tip of the iceberg, If this passes parasitic casinos will spring up all over the place. How many children will go hungry as mommy spends the food money on her gambling adiction.
 @undertone There are "parasitic casinos" all over the place already.  Most bars and delis!
 @Scorcho  @undertone Aren't all businesses parasitic since they want to make money? LMAO
@undertone.......the same amount whose mommies are already going to Dottie's.
 @undertone Actually, every non-tribal casino would have to go through the ballot process to get approved. This change only gives voters the ability to allow a non-tribal casino. It doesn't just allow them anywhere people want to build them. So if someone else wanted to do a casino, they'd have to go through the whole process of getting on the ballot and then getting people to vote yes.
 @undertone Probably the same amount of mommies that go down to the local bar right now and spend their food money on oregon lottery
Â
Being from the area where this casino is going to be built if the measures passes, I feel as if this area needs a boost.  I drive around town and see all the businesses that have gone under in the last few years.  Bringing in tourists as a destination spot will benefit everyone around the area. Not only will it bring jobs to the casino but also to all the new businesses that will be coming such as hotels, restaurants.  My husband and I are not gamblers but I would love to attend concerts, use the water park and shop locally.  Â
 @snowcutey1  ".  I drive around town and see all the businesses that have gone under in the last few years. "
Â
Name one. The Lowe's? Fred Meyer? The Target? The Kohl's? The Walgreens, Subway and the gym across the street? IE, all the businesses (not to mention the three schools within a good stone's throw) that are casually brushed over in their propaganda?
Â
Most of the business that have gone under haven't been in business very long anyway.
@Dienekes4160 .......we are all aware that your arguments are driven by a " not in my backyard" position.
 @Dienekes4160  @Constitution Warrior  @Rob CÂ
Dienekes4160 in previous message
"Why do you presume to tell other people what they think"
Â
Dienekes4160 last week about the grange and the attitude of people in his neighborhood about it
"None of us want it here"
Â
Look above, Snowcutie1 who lives in your neighborhood thinks it's a good idea. Â So I have to aks Dienekes4160, why do you presume to tell other people what they think? Â None of us implies EVERYONE......
Â
Take a deep breath....count with us.....5.....4......3......2.......1......feel better? Â NO? Â GOOD!Â
 @Constitution Warrior  @Rob C "You are ok with a Casino"
Â
Why do you presume to tell other people what they think, when you're so consistently ass-backward? Last I heard, I just moved to Wood Village (I went to Rockwood Elementary, Wilkes, Rockwood Middle and Reynolds. My dad went to Gresham and Centennial) and complained about airplane noise. I'm a flight instructor. My dad worked for United. You're completely outside the realm of fact here. Completely. You're making stuff up. Just want everybody to understand this.
 @Rob C  @Dienekes4160 They can reopen the jail next to Edgefield if they want, or they can staff the one near the airport.
Â
But, that abandoned prison created a lot of union construction jobs, huh? See how that works?
 @Dienekes4160  @Rob C Um NIMBY means not in my backyard and it refers to anything. You are ok with a Casino anywhere but in your backyard.  Yep term applies
@Dienekes4160 .......so would you prefer a prison or a power plant?
 @Rob C  @Dienekes4160 Too bad if you don't like it. NIMBY refers to services everybody needs, like prisons or power plants. The only thing this serves are gambling addicts and venture capitalists.
Â
Lake Oswego didn't want a Crime Train either. Next time it comes around, I'm voting all in and collecting signatures to ram it straight up their backside. In fact, I think there should be marijuana grow houses there.Â
Â
Also, I'll vote for public access to Lake Oswego, those freakin' NIMBYs.
Â
It's my backyard, and the schools in this community were radically superior before the state lottery made all kinds of promises about funding the schools. It was BS then, it's BS now, and calling me a NIMBY is going to roll right off my back.
 @Dienekes4160  @snowcutey1 The health club there by the dog track also went out of business, leaving a very large vacant piece of property. El Pollo Loco closed, as have other businesses in that shopping center with Kohls and Lowe's. As did the nursery that used to be at the corner there on Halsey. There are several businesses there along Halsey that have gone out of business in the last few years.
Â
Several of the businesses you listed aren't in Wood Village, so they do nothing to bring in tax dollars for that city. While Gresham has seen growth (Walgreens, Crunch, etc.) and the Target is in Fairview. But Wood Village has seen a number of its businesses close.
 @Dienekes4160  @Jenni S.  @snowcutey1 ". Lasted about seven years and probably didn't make enough money to pay for the construction"
Â
Hey Dienekes4160 you TOTALLY dodged my question a week ago about the Grange so I will ask it YET again! Â What is the #1 tourist attraction in Oregon? Â Why none other than Spirit Mt. Casino. Â With the # of people in Portland plus the out of town tourists, this casino will be a gold mine and within 1 year will be the new #1 tourist attraction. Â Come on, what facts do you have...NONE, just emotions.
Â
But on the flip side, you are being such a DB Â that I hope it does increase crime (it won't) and drops your property value (psssst....property values have been dropping like a rock for the last year and a half and have just started leveling out) and I hope it is an eyesore in every spot the walnut trees don't block, but paradise in the parts that are blocked....not to mention the biggest traffic nightmare you have EVER seen! Â I am voting yes, just because of your DB attitude!
 @Dienekes4160  @Jenni S.  @snowcutey1 Sounds like the Multnomah Kennel Club
 @Jenni S.  @snowcutey1 Lotta casino patrons hang out at health clubs?
Â
See, at one point, somebody thought it would be a great idea to PAVE THAT FIELD and build a BALLY'S. Lasted about seven years and probably didn't make enough money to pay for the construction. Now, it's a vacant building surrounded by falling property values.
Â
Think it through. Fool me once...
 @snowcutey1  @Jenni S. "Looking into a space in the area"
Â
For what?
Â
We must be close. I can just about see the kennel club from my house, except for a couple of walnut trees.
Â
 @Jenni S.  @Dienekes4160 i will be the first to say that I am looking into a space in the area right now.  I know if this passes there are going to be a ton of people saying I wish I would have opened in the the area.  This is my backyard area and I am all for it.
 @Dienekes4160 The business I am referring to are owner by local people, not big brand stores.  The casino will bring in tourist who will spend their money in our community.
 @snowcutey1  @Dienekes4160 Sadly, people don't shop at the local places much any more. They shop at the big box stores because (a) they are familiar and (b) they are cheaper. I really doubt that building something like this casino/entertainment area will encourage smaller business.
Â
A perfect example of this is going to malls anywhere in the US. There is very little, if any, regional flair or difference the malls these days. You'll find the same typical stores at each of them (I've been to malls in Miami, Pittsburgh, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle and more than I remember). Its boring and homogenous. Every once in a while you might find a gem but, because the bigger, more successful box stores are taking place of the smaller ones, they are also driving up rent and driving out the smaller local retailers. That's exactly what happened with Backyard Bird Shop. They *may* have expanded too fast and were chasing the money (meaning they were trying to rent store space in the more affluent areas where people tend to have extra cash that they could spend). Because they were trying to fit into the higher-end places where rent had already been driven up by the successful box stores (who can also afford to take a hit in one location because a business somewhere else might cover the bump until the area revitalized), they basically became cash-strapped. I know they closed the store in east Vancouver because the rent dramatically increased at the end of the lease and the property owners weren't willing to accommodate the economic conditions the BBS was facing because they knew, even if the BBS left, they'd be able to fill the space with other national chains.
Â
Again, like someone asked about whether or not a union can be created BEFORE the whole thing is built, I think it would be nice if the total package (whatever is ultimately created) required that a certain percentage of their purchases had to come from local or small businesses. And, maybe, do something to encourage small business growth and development.
 @snowcutey1  @Dienekes4160 Like a big ol' jet airliner!Â
Lips........I'm leaning that way too
 @Dienekes4160  @Constitution Warrior  @snowcutey1 Ick. But, anyway. This is a great spot for a casino (and friends). The area is depressed. Just like Troutdale was prior to Edgefield. Who cares if there's some big box stores? Tourists could care less about Lowes and Freddies. This area is prime. Right near the Gorge and close to PDX.
 @Dienekes4160 And here I thought you were a Spartan Warrior.
@Dienekes4160 .......you're as full,of yourself as I thought you were...the only person on this board who blew out their chest and bragged and boasted about who they are oor what they do. Aren't you special !!
 @Constitution Warrior  @snowcutey1Â
Â
Well, my daughter is the fifth generation to live here and I am a professional pilot at Troutdale airport, smartass. How'd that work out for you?
Â
I guess they should listen to me after all, hmm?Â
@snowcutey1 ........you're fighting an uphill battle with diene. It's in his backyard.
 @snowcutey1  @Dienekes4160 Don't listen to Dinkes. He is probably one of the people who moved to Wood Village then complains about the Airplane noise
 @Dienekes4160 This point must have flown over your head.
 @snowcutey1 OMFG and the Pollo Loco went out of business too!  We lost a birdseed store and a taco joint. DOOOOOM! Â
Â
The casino won't have much business for birdhouse merchants but if you know how to roll a taco or mop a floor, I bet they'd love to talk to you.
 @Dienekes4160 oh, you asked me to name one...Backyard Bird Store.  There you go, locally owned store and they had been in business at another spot in Gresham for many years.
Â