Must we continue to feed the spending appetites that are never satisfied? Should we feed them at any cost and without concern for collateral damage? Exactly what is our responsibility and obligation to the next generation?

Less is more. Check out the billboards on Interstate 55. Don't we already have enough opportunity to gamble: the lottery, 12 state casinos, bingo and private practice? Do we have to have another multimillion dollar monument to the industry in our own front yard? This is not just a community option; it is a cultural injection into our community.

Is gambling and dependence upon it the fiscal discipline we want to encourage in the heartland? This is no game we are playing. Greed is never satisfied.

Don't lose sight of what Cape Girardeau has to be grateful for and of the stability that cautious conservatism has wrought us thus far. It is not the time to open the door to a profiteering vacuum that would drain our local economy and redistribute our wealth.

Isle of Capri representatives told me, "We just want to be like the cleaners down the street." Gambling will never be like the dry cleaner next door, apart from Cape Girardeau being taken to the cleaners. I've yet to see anyone go bankrupt or commit suicide over their dry cleaning.

Not one of the gambling experts I met made the assertion of bringing new business and industry to our community. The desire by others to do so has been attached to the casino as a possibility, which I believe is false or, at best, extremely remote. The facts don't support this reality.

I was told by Isle representatives that fewer than 10 of the 450 proposed casino jobs would pay $30,000. The rest are minimum wage and part-time positions.

I hear the concerns of affected business owners who have worked hard to maintain their bottom lines. My concern as a Cape Girardeau councilwoman is not the cannibalization of one casino over the other but rather employee cannibalization of local employees for employers who have already invested and supported our city.

I am in support of increasing the educational and job training opportunities that will enhance our region and open us up to the possibility for future investment. This should be apart from what currently exists, not disrupting the balance of what already does exist.

We will gain infrastructure improvements; however, as a community priority we will find a way to accomplish our goals in carefully planned measures and initiatives. Our record shows we are making progress.

I agree with the gaming commissioner who stated we must consider the wisdom of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. I hope that serious analysis will be done to decrease the state's current dependence on gambling and that the 13th license might be withheld.

There were reasons why our state constitution previously prohibited gambling, and I believe the real economic impact was a concern and remains a concern. There should be less emphasis on gambling revenue and more emphasis on tax reform to support revitalizing the private sector.

Local municipalities have no jurisdiction over casino liquor operations. The gaming commission controls the complete operation, and therefore it is allowed to serve alcohol on the "boat" until 3 a.m. Once we say yes, there is no recuperation of local control or option. The transfer of power shifts to the revenue and who controls it. This power will not be in the citizens' hands, community businesses' hands or the city council.

Isle of Capri representative stated at our public forum that they had no intention of getting involved in the community vote. With their $50,000 contribution to the Yes for Gaming Committee, they are demonstrating the principle that money speaks louder than words. While money talks, it's not the only voice to be acknowledged.

It is my hope that Cape Girardeau citizens will carefully consider their vote on the gambling initiative. We cannot afford to be in denial and buy into the minimization of negative consequences. We have to project and analyze the consequences of today's decisions upon tomorrow's generation.

This is our time as citizens when every vote counts. It is clearly demonstrated that communities who partner with this "industry" inherently shift their allegiance in favor of gambling due to their vested interest and dependency.

Invest wisely.

Thank you to the Quality of Life Committee who has given the citizens of Cape Girardeau a voice on this important community decision.

It is now in your hands.

Debra Tracy is the councilwoman for Ward 3 in Cape Girardeau.