Casino request is affront to community

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Thanks to Adams County supervisors for having a backbone this week when the Isle of Capri Casino representatives came to the board seeking a handout.

Just days after the casino announced plans to pull up stakes, close its casino and sell the hotel to competitors, the Isle sent in a property tax consultant to lobby the county to reduce the valuation placed on the casino’s vessel — a barge masquerading as a river boat.

Clearly the Isle’s Natchez property has seen better days.

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Competition from a more nimble and newer foe simply was too much for the tiny little “boat” sitting at Natchez Under-the-Hill.

But to come forth, in its last days and seek to save what is a drop in the bucket to the millions and millions of profits the boat earned off our community through the years is offensive.

The company is simply trying to cut its losses at all cost.

From a practical side we understand the need; from our community’s perspective, it’s an affront.

We fully anticipate the company will cut the barge loose and float it down the river and into oblivion once the doors close and the gaming machines are removed.

We applaud the supervisors for not giving in to the casino’s ill-timed request, however, we regret supervisors only agreed to “take the matter under advisement” instead of simply telling the casino to take a hike.