O.T. (sort of) to noload,
Pastor,
I too am trying to make others aware of the consequences making a wrong choice will likely cause them. I am doing so based on my own up close and personal experience. Of course I am not referring to investors who know the risks associated with investing as investors for the most part appreciate these risks. Rather, I am speaking about and IMO, the risks to the long term security and prosperity of Berlin NH in the event Berlin chooses not to take advantage of the opportunity LLEG represents for Berlin.
You see I am from Bethlehem PA. We suffered a situation similar to that which Berlin is struggling with. However, we already have made a choice. Unfortunately for our town, we didn’t have the options, available to us Berlin currently enjoys. As a result, Bethlehem residents here lacking alternatives such as those Berlin has, chose to adopt the "tourism/public use/high tech mfg/gambling solution presented to us mainly by the large, commercial, organized gambling industry in concert with local, state and federal politicians.
At present we are reaping the negative results of our choice.
As a pastor I am sure you are aware of the downside and negative effects legalized gambling has been show/proven to have on a community.
I assume you feel the same about "unloading your conscience" with regard to choosing one of the more attractive appearing alternatives to working with LLEG, which judging from what happened in the town I am from, will be presented to the citizens of Berlin as well as the city council by highly motivated and well trained marketing experts in the most attractive way imaginable. IMO this is happening right now or will be soon and the source will be from the same large, commercial, organized gambling industry and politicos which I mentioned earlier.
As a pastor, I know you appreciate the weight and authority your opinion projects with not just members of your congregation but also the citizens of Berlin who may not be members.
I assume your intentions are well meaning and as such I assume you are making your opinions well known locally and they are being equally voiced about the down side of the gambling/tourism industry just like you are doing here in this much more limited forum.
If I may make one other observation and impress on you with all due respect, the concept that when you post on a board such as this you are speaking for the most part to people interested in investing as well as opponents who are already aware of that which you presented here. I know this probably goes without saying but just in case you are not as familiar with the intent of BBs like this, as those who made you aware of this forum are, this is the way it is with public BBs intended for use by mainly investors. Sorry if this is not as well written as it might have been as I obviously don’t have a background from academia.
Sincerely, with all due respect as well as thanks for your service to the church,
Nez
Also as an aside, I applaud your courage speaking to this forum while holding the place of respect which you do.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin
