Deficits and the Proposed Monterey Park Card Club

From Washington to Sacramento to counties and cities all over the country, we are all facing big budget deficits because of misspending and overspending on too many pet projects while failing to contain costs. Into this scenario emerged BCTC developers who promised to be the answer to all our problems if we allow them to build a gambling card club. They say the city will get millions of dollars from their casino, but at what price? Meanwhile, BCTC is throwing their money all over town, $45 if you attend their meeting, zilch if you answer their telephone survey. Supervisor Gloria Molina strongly opposes the casino and sent her senior field deputy to the Feb. 22 council meeting to make known her concerns. Hundreds of people flooded the chamber to oppose the card club. Three former respected mayors, Rudy Peralta, David Almada and Chris Houseman, all spoke against the card club, while Betty Couch spoke in support. Clergymen from Monterey Park and East Los Angeles have banded together determined to stop this card club and have threatened a fight to the bitter end. BCTC made a fatal mistake in judgment. They misread the mood of the public, and they underestimated the intelligence of the residents. To BCTC, residents from one end of the city to the next have a strong message for you: Back off on the card casino because this is one battle you are going to lose. PHYLLIS RABINS Monterey Park