Belle Isle Residents Association Opposes Destination Casino Bill

Dear Belle Isle Resident,

After much discussion and consideration, the Board of Directors of the Belle Isle Residents Association has voted to oppose expansion of gaming in Miami Dade County.   The vast majority of our board feels that the negative effects of gambling in our community, including the social implications, potential crime and damage to our reputation as a cultural destination, will far outweigh any increase in tax revenue that casinos may bring.

At this point we neither oppose nor endorse any specific proposal for a destination resort, but we strongly believe that our local leaders and the state legislature should oppose the Destination Casino bill pending in Tallahassee.

There are several upcoming opportunities for you to learn more about gambling and let our elected officials know how you feel about the issue:

·         Community meeting with Mayor Bower, 6:00 PM Wed., Dec. 7, Botanical Garden

·         City Commission Workshop, 4PM, Friday, Dec. 9, Convention Center Hall C, Room 134

·         Gambling with our Future?  A forum presented by Urban Environment League of Greater Miami, December 10am to 12pm, The Light Box Theatre at Goldman Warehouse:  404 NW 26 Street (2 blocks west of Wynwood Walls on 26^thStreet)

o    Moderators: Albert Harum-Alvarez and Gregory Bush.  Topics include:

§  Downtown: A Legacy Worth Protecting Intro by Greg Bush

§  Jobs & Revenue? Video Introduction of Genting Proposal

§  Panel (1 hour)

·         Dr. Chuck Bohl, Director UM Graduate Program in Real Estate Development & Urbanism

·         Jorge Hernandez, Architect, VP Dade Heritage Trust

·         Katy Sorenson, President, The Good Government Initiative

·         Dan Gelber, Former State Senator from Miami Beach, Head of NO CASINOS – S FL.

§  Interview with Norman Braman, Businessman & Activist

§  Audience Q&A

·         Chamber of Commerce "Gaming Forum", 5:30PM-7:30PM Tuesday, Dec. 13, Convention Center Hall D.  If you plan to attend this meeting, it is advisable to click on this link to register for this event to secure a seat:http://www.chambermaster.com/directory/jsp/events/EventPage.jsp?ccid=166&eventid=5683.  Once you click on the link, on the right hand side under EVENT OPTIONS click on Register online.  It is a simple form to complete and and then print off the Order Confirmation.

·         Miami Beach City Commission discussion item, after 5PM, Wed., Dec. 14, city commission chambers. Residents should e-mail the mayor and commissioners on this matter:  MayorBower@miamibeachfl.gov, Deede@miamibeachfl.gov, Ed@miamibeachfl.gov, Jerry@miamibeachfl.gov, Jonah@miamibeachfl.gov, Michael@miamibeachfl.gov, Jorge@miamibeachfl.gov

For additional information about gambling, please visit the No Casinos Coalition website atwww.commonsensemiami.com.

If you do not wish to receive email from the Belle Isle Residents Association, please respond to this email with the word REMOVE in the subject field.  If someone has forwarded this to you and you would like to be added to our email list, please send me an email with your name, home address and email.

Thank you on behalf of the Belle Isle Residents Association Board of Directors.

Scott Diffenderfer

President, Belle Isle Residents Association

Realtor, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

1691 Michigan Avenue, Suite 105

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Office: 305.938.1870

Cell: 305.458.3334

Fax: 305.402.0155

www.scottdiff.com