http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/voterswill_717.mp3
Missourians will vote August 3 on amending the state constitution to allow a casino to be built in Rockaway Beach. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
ROCKAWAY BEACH, MISSOURI IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS. UNTIL ABOUT THE 1960'S, IT WAS A BUSTLING RESORT TOWN...NOW, IT'S MORE LIKE A GHOST TOWN.
BUT NOT LONG AGO, SOME RESIDENTS OF THE SMALL TOWN SAW AN OPPORTUNITY: BRING IN A CASINO, CREATE NEW JOBS.
CHARLES WALTERS IS A ROCKAWAY BEACH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND A SUPPOTER OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
HE SAYS THE NEW CASINO COULD TRANSFORM THE ECONOMICALLY-DEPRESSED TOWN THAT SITS BESIDE THE WHITE RIVER IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.
BUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT HAS BEEN MET WITH OPPOSITION FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.
PETER HERSCHEND IS THE CO-OWNER OF SILVER DOLLAR CITY AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND BRANSON.
HERSCHEND FILED SUIT IN COLE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT TRYING TO PREVENT THE ISSUE FROM APPEARING ON THE AUGUST 3RD BALLOT...THAT EFFORT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.
HERSCHEND SAYS HE FEELS THE NEW CASINO WOULD DESTROY THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE OF THE OZARKS.
BUT CHARLES WALTERS AND OTHER CASINO SUPPORTERS OFFER A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
HE SAYS THE CASINO WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE AREA.
BUT PETER HERSCHEND SAYS IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE.
HE SAYS HE WANTS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY'S CHARACTER, SOMETHING HE BELIEVES WOULD BE THREATENED IF A CASINO WERE TO COME TO SOUTHWEST MISSOURI.
WALTERS SAYS WITHOUT NEW JOBS, THERE WON'T BE PEOPLE OR CHARACTER LEFT IN ROCKAWAY BEACH TO PROTECT.
EVEN IF VOTERS APPROVE THE PROPOSED CASINO FOR ROCKAWAY BEACH, IT WOULD NOT BE A DONE DEAL. THE PROPOSAL WOULD STILL NEED THE MISSOUIR GAMING COMMISSION'S SUPPORT.