Cincinnati NAACP
Media Release
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CINCINNATI OHIO- MAY 12, 2011 -Cincinnati City Council has carved up
100% of the casino revenue before any bet has even been made.  A large
portion of the casino money has been committed to the Port Authority
and operating the streetcar.  City Council even gave money to build
statues.  City Hall estimates $20 million in revenue per year if the
casino is built.  City Council allocated the $20 million for a 15 year
time period.  "The people of Cincinnati had no opportunity for input
on how the $300 million would be spent.  To spend the money on the
streetcar, the Port Authority, and statues while the City of
Cincinnati faces its greatest economic crisis is irresponsible,"
Christopher Smitherman, president of the Cincinnati NAACP said.
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The Cincinnati NAACP will petition the government for 100% of the
casino revenue.  The time period the Cincinnati NAACP is considering
is 100 years.  The top priority for the casino money is balancing the
budget, funding police and fire, and dealing with the pension crisis.
However, swimming pools, recreation centers, and nurses in Cincinnati
Public Schools will all be funded with casino money.  These are a few
priorities that the Cincinnati NAACP will petition.  "This City
Council can no longer mismanage tax payer money without the Cincinnati
NAACP initiating a petition," Smitherman says.