Monday, September 1, 2008
Point Defiance Casino Owner Makes His Case
Steve Fabre, owner of Point Defiance Cafe (and former casino) is taking his case to the people of Ruston. Steve has released the following letter, in addition to the letter he provided to council members prior to their vote to increase gambling tax in Ruston to 12% on July 7, 2008.
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49 comments:
Well, Karen, so much for your new rules of civility and not allowing personal attacks. The attacks on Anonymous #1, on the RC, and on Dan Albertson are both personal and vicious.
Your short lived pretense of forming new rules and monitoring this website for civility and accuracy appear to be just empty words.
You have either lost control and cannot enforce your new rules or you have willingly joined in the very behavior you claim you abhor. The bias is plain and it's clear that vicious comments are here stay on Ruston Home.
Well said, last Anonymous. It boggles my mind to see the intensity of hatred that is expressed on this website.
Craig, I'm saddened to see that you are one of the people who expresses much hatred and sarcasm. Karen can't modify what is in a person's heart, even if she wanted to; only you can tone it down and express your thoughts in a more civil manner.
Deeply Disappointed
Oh, I forgot - the casino didn't have any profits last year, according to what its owner claims.
What that really says to me is that there's a question here of how good or poor the business management of the casino is. I mean, how is it possible that every other casino has made money and this one can't? I suppose it's possible if you can rationalize that everyone else is responsible for your failure and that there is a conspiracy in Ruston to do you in.
4 lawsuits in one year; yet the casino says it is a good neighbor to the Ruston community.
Most conflicts can be resolved through discussion and documentation. That hasn't happened and Mr. Fabre has alienated many people in Ruston by his constant response: litigation against his neighbors.
They always disappoint.
Anon #1 here. I donate plenty to many causes. And MY money not money raised from others. How much of your personal money was tied up in the 3tons (I like how you imply I dont know what 2700 kilos is)? As a mater of fact I participated in the Memory Walk recently. Makes me a better person? Maybe. Do I make a living out of conflict and turmoil? Nope.
As said I enjoyed the Casino, but I can also live with out the hassles that came with it. I go see the Indians now.
And as far as my connection to the RC group. If you can tell me who those people are I can better understand if I'm a part of that group or not.
One of the major problems with this blog is posters blindly accusing other posters of being in one group or another.
I belong to a group not associated with RC or RH for that matter. I am a member of the world and free to think and say what I wish.
LOL...Anon #1.
I just did a search for RC group.
Just cola no pics of anybody in town.
"As an individual I contributed about $15,000 last year (and I have receipts - do you?) to churches, environmental organizations, Salvation Army and other non-profits."
So why sign your name anonymous if you did all that? Just makes it seem like you're making stuff up is all. Though I'm sure only a few people in Ruston make over $150,000 a year...
And as to how other casino's make money and this one can't - one word: Location . EQC, Chips, Great American, and Macau are all just off a major freeway. PD Casino doesn't have anywhere near the same traffic the others do.
I think you are half right, Anonymous. Location. So why would a good business manager pick the location that the casino management did? Any idiot knows the old truism about location, location, location.
The other half that you did not mention is the economy. Plenty of businesses are going south these days. You go into business, you take your risks. A few make it, most don't, even in the best economy.
Why would anyone believe, then, that the people and the Town of Ruston are responsible for the casino's poor business? Most of his customers don't live in Ruston, either - another reason to be skeptical about what he says in his letter to the citizens.
"Why would anyone believe, then, that the people and the Town of Ruston are responsible for the casino's poor business?"
No one said Ruston was responsible for the poor business, but they are responsible for claiming a need for revenue and then taxing a single entity that can't afford it. Especially when that entity tried to talk with the council to explain the implications.
All that happens now is the town loses money from having less tax revenue or loses money from legal fees.
As far as the location goes - remember how Tacoma Casinos closed? That might make one think the location - although not a high traffic one, might work. There's not another casino within a (roughly) 10 mile radius.
Oh my goodness. Are you people always like this?
First (and Last) Time Visitor
"Most conflicts can be resolved through discussion and documentation."
That is true - and according to Mr. Fabre's letter that's what he attempted to do with the town council, but it was to no avail. Perhaps they are the ones who should follow that mantra.
So what are these "added problems" the casino brought? They're not police, fire or medic services. - The police chief can attest to that.
Also, what are the "factual errors" in the letter.
All I see in the last 2 anons are accusations with not even a statement to back them up. Isn't that the definition of arrogance - being so sure you're right you neglect to give any evidence to back up your claims?
I see folks have been busy while I've spent the last 11 hours on various airplanes. When I think an issue is going to be controversial, I’ll post it here and on Ruston Truth at the same time. That way those of you that prefer to use negative attacks can state them without having them deleted. All the comments for this post have been moved to www.rustontruth.blogspot.com. You can read them there if you are interested.
Please keep the conversation civil. You can disagree with what Mr. Farbe says without attacking him personally – or the casino. And you can defend Mr. Farbe and the casino without attacking, too.
How sad it is that many of these discussions turn into name calling and belittling other people. Isn't the real issue hear whether or not the Casino owners DID all they could to avoid legal action? And that the Town Council DID NOT do all they could to avoid legal action? This has nothing to do with how the business was managed, has nothing to do with new artwork at the church, has nothing to do with how this site is monitored. The simple facts are that it appears that the Council has targeted 1 business and is attempting to remove them without due process. The issue is why do we (the people of Ruston) continue to let a small handful of people make decisions that will cost us tens of thousands because of their beliefs. We continue to hear and see comments and blogs on why new business will not come to our town. With all the turmoil and the hoops that a business must put up with to come here, is it no wonder that we cannot even attract a decent coffee shop?? Why did a business man with a wonderful reputation for running a restaurant pull out of a deal for the Ruston Inn. Probably because of the turmoil in the town. If a business is not breaking the law, paying their taxes on time and is not a drain to the towns services, why target them for removal?? So, before the reply to this blog is labeled as Communist or I am called some sort of name, who is the spokesperson for the Ruston Connection or the Town Council who can answer why they did not meet with Mr. Fabre and why did they not return his phone calls? The last question the above named groups need to answer,is that without Tax revenue from the Casino, what funds are they going to use to pay for the lawsuits? Before you answer, let me give you a tip, don't say that you have the money, might hurt your arguement that you needed to raise the tax on the Casino!!!
i think its beautiful that i can post on here and people think im part of the ruston connection group when they dont agree.
i think its arrogent that peole think there are only two groups in this town.
funny, when I post in favor of issues the RC gang doesnt agree with they dont call me name or lable me.
someday ill post my name....only when im comfortable i wont become a target.
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