MGM will hire 1,000 for casino

[RustTown]

Only one of the three casinos is owned by out-of-state parties, and that's MGM, just for clarification. And, MotorCity is actually locally owned.

[jas49503]

Though, she may be wrong, I don't think you understand her reasoning. I can't find any stats, but I've heard some argue (unless I'm also misunderstranding the points of people like Watson) that most casino gamers are Detroiter's, if this is true this means that little outside money is coming in, meaning that it's really just recirculating money within the city, meaning the benefits are slim for the city definitely not outweighing the benefits. Casinos only really fulfill their potential if they have a significant amounts of money coming in from outside of the municipality. But, the only way this argument can be made is if one can be sure that most casino patrons are city residents. I'd be interested to see the states.

I happen to disagree with her. Even if they are underperforming (i.e. not pulling in enough outside patrons), they still produce needed money for the city if even not living up to their potential.

And, JoAnn Watson very conservative? In what ways? I don't know her personal beliefs, but she is routinely what I'd call one of the most socialist members of the council. She's one of the most anti-business, anti-outside investment people in the city.

[Jasoncw]

Only one of the three casinos is owned by out-of-state parties, and that's MGM, just for clarification. And, MotorCity is actually locally owned.

[detwaa84]

LMich, I've met with Watson and been to countless council sessions over 3 years for class purposes. She is what you say she is, but I think I'd call that conservative. She actually referred to herself as such once. By that I mean, she doesn't want too many changes in Detroit, or too quickly. She wants African Americans to remain the majority, she wants mostly African-American owned businessess (Africantown was her idea), and is very religious and uses religion alot in the council sessions with numerous issues. Maybe that's not called conservatism, but socialism. It doesn't matter.

Anyway, I think she's a great person, although I disagree with her on numerous issues, like anti-privitization, water rates, etc. She is the only voice in the council, the others are just lame-duck memebrs who hardly have real positions on issues. Most of the time, they change their minds and votes after pressures and threats of lawsuits. She is for Transit, Cobo expansion, and making Detroit a tourist destination. There was a recent meeting in Detroit that involved many outside experts and architects who proposed new developments in Downtown. She attended, and she told the council that she would approve every single one of the proposals if they brought them to the table. Do you know which meeting I'm talking about?

Anyhow. Watson is smart, believe me. She knows that her way of talking and thinking will continue to bring in votes and she will remain on the council for a very long time. Isn't that the goal of all politicians anyways. Behind the scense though, I think she also wants to see revolutionary change in Detroit, but not many people would be happy if they hear her real opinions publicly. I've met her personally, so I know a little of her personal opinions and visions for the city, and believe me, they would make you think twice about her.

[RustTown]

Even if most of the gamers are from metro detroit, it seems that the city would benefit from people coming from the suburbs, which have a lot of money relative to the city, into the city to spend thier money. it is effective at redistributing money within the metro area. This is important because the detroit metropolitin area still has a considerable amount of money. as bad as things have been, when compared to the nation, we aren't really doing that badly (not that great either though). what needs to happen though is redistrbution of wealth. the city is very poor and surrounded by very wealthy suburbs.

I find it unlikely that may people are coming from to far outside detoit to come to the casinos. people are going to go to whatever casino is more convinent to them when they want to gamble. unlike vegas, here people just need a fix. they aren't going on a vacation. so it draws from southeastern michigan and northwest ohio maybe over to the north east corner of indiana. that's it.

[RustTown]

LMich, I've met with Watson and been to countless council sessions over 3 years for class purposes. She is what you say she is, but I think I'd call that conservative. She actually referred to herself as such once. By that I mean, she doesn't want too many changes in Detroit, or too quickly. She wants African Americans to remain the majority, she wants mostly African-American owned businessess (Africantown was her idea), and is very religious and uses religion alot in the council sessions with numerous issues. Maybe that's not called conservatism, but socialism. It doesn't matter.

Anyway, I think she's a great person, although I disagree with her on numerous issues, like anti-privitization, water rates, etc. She is the only voice in the council, the others are just lame-duck memebrs who hardly have real positions on issues. Most of the time, they change their minds and votes after pressures and threats of lawsuits. She is for Transit, Cobo expansion, and making Detroit a tourist destination. There was a recent meeting in Detroit that involved many outside experts and architects who proposed new developments in Downtown. She attended, and she told the council that she would approve every single one of the proposals if they brought them to the table. Do you know which meeting I'm talking about?

Anyhow. Watson is smart, believe me. She knows that her way of talking and thinking will continue to bring in votes and she will remain on the council for a very long time. Isn't that the goal of all politicians anyways. Behind the scense though, I think she also wants to see revolutionary change in Detroit, but not many people would be happy if they hear her real opinions publicly. I've met her personally, so I know a little of her personal opinions and visions for the city, and believe me, they would make you think twice about her.

[jas49503]

No, I was saying that people argue that if most the patrons are coming from Detroit proper/city, then the benefits are greatly reduced.

[RustTown]

That's the thing, I can't find any numbers either, but I have a feeling that most of the patrons are Detroiters. I also know people that drive a long ways to go, but I have a feeling that it's nowhere near the amount some people believe. That said, the construction of the hotels could very well change that, if my feelings are true. The hotels will allow the casinos the ability to more easily court over-nighters and day-trippers from not only outside Southeast Michigan, but outside the state. That's why the hotels are so important to the city, at the end of the day.