It has been awhile since I posted anything on here, however, does not mean I have been dormant and not "paying attention". After reading today's article in the Orlando Sentinel on the state's deal with the Seminole Tribe, I felt it was time to "express myself" and get in the "powers that be" face.
The state is moving forward with a 5 year deal that gives the Seminoles the right to run "blackjack' and Vegas style slots in 5 of their casinos. In exchange, the state gets a sizable payoff each year from the tribe. That's cool, except, there are two problems with that concept. 1)Aside from the state pari mutuals located in South Florida's Dade-Broward-Hialeah area, the rest of the states tracks and frontons get very little. No limit poker and some halfass bogus faux slot machines. These places have been around alot longer than the Seminole casinos, employe many people and are being "dissed" by the state! 2)The amount of money realized from this deal by the state is miniscule compared to what the state would realize if they legalized casinos to the casino industry. So, once again, the state caves in and comes up short. When are these "brain challenged" politicians going to wake up and get with the program? And hey, "You elected them".
Now, lets get loud and local! Orange County has the second largest convention center in the country. We are second in conventions, trailing Vegas big time. We are one of the few, if not the only, convention "mega centers" to NOT have any "action". You know, Vegas style shows, casino games, "ADULT ENTERTAINMENT"! The adults that come here for conventions, are not going to Cinderellas Castle or HogWarts or Shamu Stadium! If You want this "bigtime" convention business, "offer them something"! Or else, they will leave like the "Concrete/Cement" show did a couple years back. Do the right thing, and then, maybe You wont be sitting around gripping about not having the funds for this or that. I am sure this could be put in play, "virtually, over night"! If You had the stones to go forward with such a thing.
Downtown Orlando itself! We need a good cash flow to get things done that have already been approved and set in motion. Here's a plan that would/could make all the dreams come true. As has been suggested, "turn the old Amway Arena into a casino"! You could convert that place in no time and it would instantly start making You money and generating a revenue stream to beat the band. The money generated by this venture could fund projects You already have approved, i.e. Arts Center and renovation of the Citrus Bowl, which, in turn could land us some NFL games from the Jaguars which would generate even more cash. Not too mention, just maybe, enough revenue would flow to help with the transportation/train project, and, who knows, maybe enough cash going to the coffers to actually build a "new stadium" that could possibly attract a baseball or real football team here.
Yeah, Buddy Dyer, a "tech village" would be nice, and, could still come about somewhere else at another time. IT IS NOT GOING TO INFUSE OUR ECONOMY NOW! We need attainable fixes now, not down the road. It is time to s**t or get off the pot. We are either going to grow Orlando or wallow in stupidity going forward. Let's get this right for a change!!!
"Wake Up & Pay Attention",
