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Just say ‘No’ to

Medford casino proposal

In 2013, we had a City Council agreement that Medford was opposed to the proposed casino. The Bureau of Indian Affairs dismissed this proposal by the Coquille Indian Tribe in 2020. Their proposal still appears to be a stretch … to say the least.

I spent my entire adult work life (38+ years) helping police this city. I have seen Medford struggle like many other jurisdictions with drug abuse (nickname “Methford”) as well as becoming the “marijuana epicenter” of Oregon.

The increase in homelessness in the last two years (23% statewide) has created local issues never seen before. Now add in the current fentanyl crisis and one can see serious work ahead. We don’t need to add another source of addiction.

The casino proposal will bring with it a certain percentage of “problem gamblers” — who experience addictive/compulsive behavior. This behavior brings with it additional criminal behavior to support the addiction. Those crimes will occur off premises and will add additional work to local public safety.

They don’t build these places on winners. At times it can be food out of children’s mouths; shoes off their feet. The casino will harm us … not improve us.

Medford is better than this! We need to move off this “neutral position” and oppose the Coquille Tribe Casino proposal … again. Just say no!

You can encourage the City Council to reconsider by emailing your thoughts to council@medfordoregon.gov.

You can advise the Bureau of Indian Affairs of your thoughts at paula.hart@bia.gov

Tim George / Medford

Jackson County lucky to have Chris Walker

Jackson County is lucky to have Chris Walker as our county clerk. She is an integral part of arguably the best election system in this country.

I would encourage anyone who seriously doubts the integrity of our election to go back and read Chris’s Op-ed that appeared in the April 29 Rogue Valley Times.

Unfortunately, I’m guessing most of the individuals that appeared before Jackson County Board of Commissioners last month, don’t read this paper.

Mark Chirgwin / Medford