Terre Haute Chamber President David Haynes submitted the below letter to the Tribune Star for publication.
LT Editor: Community Effort
We at the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce were disappointed that Jon Ford’s Senate Bill 354 failed in committee thereby stalling the prospects of a casino in Terre Haute. There were, however, some very positive efforts that will serve our community in the future.
Despite the continued efforts of Representatives Heaton, Kersey and Morrison together with those of Senator Ford to represent west central Indiana, particularly Terre Haute and Vigo County, in Indianapolis, it “takes a village” to pass legislation and our village was well represented during the recent casino effort.
For now, casino legislation is no longer on the table but allow me to reflect on the effort. Full House Resorts would have been the owner/operator of the proposed casino. Full House representatives were thorough in their efforts to engage local government, higher education, the Chamber, organized labor, public safety and others to enlist community support for the legislation. In many instances, the forums used offered an opportunity for those opposed to the casino to share their positions. At times the debate was lively. In the end, both city and county leaders, our five institutions of higher learning, the Chamber and others weighed in and actively supported Jon Ford’s bill.
As for the Chamber, it did not take the request for support of the bill lightly. Two Chamber committees and its full Board heard from Senator Ford and Full House as well as the rest of the local delegation to our General Assembly. In each instance, questions were asked and discussion was had. Before taking a position on behalf of its over 800 members, the Board and Chamber staff were conscious of its mission: “Building Business, Building Community”.
The Chamber chose to support the casino bill, but it was not alone. Various representatives of our community, some elected and some not, converged on Indianapolis and our venerable statehouse over a two week period to voice support of the casino bill.
It was more than just a contingent in favor of certain legislation. It was the voice of our community, a voice that has been heard all too seldom in our state’s capitol. We were heard. The village spoke. Without exception, Terre Haute was complimented on its effort by legislators from around the state and invited to become more active in Indianapolis.
Each of our legislators will tell you that for them to do their jobs, we must do ours. Let us not make the effort to support the casino be our last. Let’s rally and appear on all the important legislation that affects our community. Despite failing in committee, the casino bill showed us that we, acting as a community, can make a difference in Indianapolis and we will.
