Daniel Hite — Bridgeton
Pastor Dan Hite runs the Missouri Clergy Against Casino Expansion group, and I totally agree with him here:
“The proposed smoking ban in St. Louis County will be a vote to expand gambling in the area. Exempting casinos from the ban takes even more money from the community as well as the ability to compete, and empowers casinos with both. No matter how you feel about the health issues involved (and they are major issues), the business discrimination that takes place with the unfair advantage for the casinos adds up to more casino patrons and more gambling. The public interest is NOT served, and in fact, all the moral implications of this discriminating ban violate the public trust and the councilman’s oath of office. We call on the County Council and County Executive to shut down this immoral proposal and show some political backbone without passing the buck to the voters and the bucks to the casinos.”
