Knowing what we know about the harmful effects of gambling – divorce, broken families, neglected children, bankruptcies, foreclosures, and unpaid bills. Knowing these harmful effects and the loss of revenue to the city from money not being spent at local businesses- if Deb Fenske becomes the new mayor, will she honor her oath of office and obey her code of ethical behavior? Will she do what’s best for the city of Waupaca and protect our residents from this illegal gambling in our taverns?
We have legal outlets to satisfy those who have a gambling problem – state lottery, scratch tickets, etc. We don’t need illegal gambling to compound the problem we have and to allow it to flourish in the taverns where someone is under the influence of alcohol and not always in control of their faculties. If the same people tried to drive home they could be arrested for drunken driving, but if they lost their paycheck to these one armed bandits, no one will look out for their interests.
The mayor has a responsibility as an elected representative of the people to uphold the law, even if it’s unpopular. The mayor will have a responsibility to protect us and our property, which includes our money.
When the city changed our gambling law and exempted these machines the city violated the very first article in the code of ethics: “the welfare and safety of the community comes before the interests of any person or business”.
I feel the need to remind the candidate that this gambling is still illegal according to the state. So if she become the new mayor, could I expect her to look out for the residents of Waupaca or take the side of this illegal gambling?