Leave the casino issue to Rotanese

We’re not elected officials of Rota nor businessmen who would benefit one way or another if a casino were built on our island. We’re just simple hard working people who love Rota, the island we were raised on.

Usually, we prefer to stay on the sidelines when it comes to politics, so we never really thought that we would get involved like this but under the circumstances We feel compelled to voice my opinion on the now controversial subject of casino gambling on Rota.

To be honest, we have not yet decided if we are for it or not. It is very sensitive issue and we want to know all of the facts before we make a decision because we love our island and the people who live here. It could be a blessing to us or it could be a disaster for us, the people who live here and who will be affected by the choice to make the ultimate decision one way or another.

To us, the casino issue comes down to one thing and one thing only  the economy. Maybe our good mayor chose the wrong words when he was quoted as saying he “can not afford to let the people of Rota die with empty stomachs”. We don’t need the Red Cross yet Senator Cing, but financially speaking, we do feel empty, we are hurting financially and we are hungry for options, which will allow us to prosper like our brothers and sisters on Saipan, Tinian and Guam.

Once again, it comes down to economy; we don’t have to argue, we all agree that the economy is in a bad situation and we are all feeling the effects and doing the best we can to get through the difficult time.

Our mayor is our leader, elected by the people to serve the people and in these difficult times our mayor is faced with difficult decisions. He has lived here his whole life and he sees that his people are indeed hurting and struggling during these difficult times. As our leader, it is his job and responsibility to explore any legitimate opportunity that will make life better for his people.

Therefore, when he is approached by a group of people interested in investing money and jobs into our economy he cannot turn his back on that nor can he make such a difficult decision by himself.

This brings me to the point of addressing Senator Cing’s request to allow Tinian’s casino to take off in the next four years before putting up a casino on Rota. Even if the people of Rota do vote for a casino, I believe that Tinian will still have their four-year window to take off.

As you know, it would be six months before an initiative could be approved and then another six months to a year to identify investors, and who knows how long to have those investors checked out and approved by the gaming commission. Then another two to three years to identify land, obtain permits, design, construct and open the doors. So with this scenario in place we are already looking at four years before the big lights of casino could be seen on Rota, if the people of Rota chose this path.

In the case of Tinian, it took more than eight years to finally create a casino overlooking the beautiful Taga Beach.

With the current state of the economy, I would venture to guess that four years would be a very optimistic timeline for Rota to attract a casino industry first because after all it was the people of Tinian who had the balls to go for it in the first place and I admire them for making and staying with their difficult decision.

However, if in the next four years the Tinian Gaming industry does no “take off” then the people of Tinian have only the Tinian Gaming Commission, the Tinian Casinos and the Tinian Delegation to blame. So therefore, please do not feel threatened by our right to vote for the future of our island.

Senator Cing, from your experience, I believe that you will agree with my estimated timeline. After all, you did say, “Rotanese people would have been dead before a casino is finally completed as it takes time to build one.”

With all due respect to the leaders and people of Tinian, please leave the people of Rota alone to deliberate on this difficult issue just as we left the people of Tinian alone eight years ago.

If Guam chooses to vote for a casino, are we to fight with our brothers and sisters over there as well?

Eugene N. Ogo
Marissa M. Toves