Letters to the editor - Nov. 4

Clovis supports proposed racino

Regarding Wednesday’s report in The News that State Rep. Randal Crowder said the racino issue has “literally ripped the city of Clovis in half:”

I am greatly disappointed to learn our elected officials are ignoring the will of their constituents.

Rep. Randal Crowder’s comments at the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee were exaggerated.

First, he and his RaciNO group are in the minority according to several recent polls. Crowder spoke incorrectly when he said half the city commissioners and half the county commissioners are opposed to the racino.

The only public indication we have of the local elected officials took place at the Racing Commission’s public hearing on Oct. 5. Only one city commissioner, Gary Elliott, and one county commissioner, Robert Thornton, spoke in opposition to the racino.

That’s far from half.

Crowder’s statement that the issue has “ripped the city of Clovis in half” is also not true. It is a huge stretch to say “half.”

We the people believe in free enterprise and economic prosperity and we have documentation that shows an overwhelming support for the racino in Clovis — at least 88 to 90 percent.

Has anyone wondered why our city and county commissions have not taken action on the racino? It’s because nothing is being requested of taxpayers: no local incentives, no free land, no building or infrastructure, no industrial revenue bonds. Nothing.

Three major racino prospects have chosen Clovis as the place they’d like to be, with no strings attached.

This is free enterprise and a free gift to our community.

As a community, we expect more from our elected officials.

Crowder, Mayor David Lansford, Elliott and Thornton seem to feel it’s their job to be the moral compass for Clovis. They need to do what they were elected to do — represent us and not their own opinions.

I encourage Clovis to stay strong in this race until the finish. Let our elected officials know where you stand.

Robert Sandoval

Clovis

Don’t like gambling? Don’t gamble

I have lived in Clovis most of my 86 years. I have never written a letter to the editor before, even though at times I wanted to do so.

Now is the time. I am very much in favor of the proposed racino.

This will bring in jobs, and an economic boost Clovis needs.

I was a Realtor for years and still have coffee with Realtor friends. They talk about how sluggish the real estate market is.

So I really don’t understand why there is negativity about this when it will help our local economy.

I understand some people may believe it is morally wrong to have gambling, but there is already gambling available. I don’t play Bingo, but there are many people that do and from what I can tell, they really enjoy it.

There are several places to play Bingo here in town. My daughter and her cousin go to Red Arrow to play when she is in town and they thoroughly enjoy it.

I guess what I would tell people that don’t believe in gambling is don’t go. I believe it is freedom of choice what we do and where we go.

I am glad there are applicants that have chosen Clovis because evidently they think it is the best site for a racino.

I realize we are living in a time of negativity everywhere, but it’s too bad that a few naysayers here in our community do not see the benefit of this great opportunity.

I believe I am in the vast majority of people that support a racino for Clovis. So I say absolutely yes.

Mary Huguley

Clovis

Positives outweigh any negatives

Clovis needs the racino and wants it. That’s 400 jobs and improved quality of life for at least 400 people, plus an industry of some kind that Clovis’ elite has vehemently fought against for 40-plus years.

Also:

• Tax revenues that can be used just for Clovis.

• Increased business for Clovis restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, mom and pop shops, gas stations.

• New businesses wanting to come to Clovis or new startups looking for a reason to stay in Clovis and raise a family.

The positives far outweigh the negatives here.

The old fuddy duddies that try to keep Clovis pinned down have their own agenda, trying to justify making their own money, but have kept the rest us from growing, prospering, making up our own minds and competing against them.

Clovis has over 800 homes for sale. Who in hell do the opponents think will come to Clovis and buy one? Answer, no one, if there is no reason to be here.

Randy Crowder is a retired contractor. If he had 50-60 newly built homes for sale, he might have a different opinion. Yet, new homes are still being built. Who in Clovis can buy them?

Mayor David Lansford has worked hard to make an incredible living in Clovis, so why would any business, his included, reject the possibility of having more customers, willing to spend more money?

Carolyn Spence owns a real estate business. Does she not need to sell all the homes she has listed?

The racino is a positive thing.

Just because a handful of Clovis elites don’t need the money, doesn’t mitigate the fact that the rest of us do.

Ronnie Jones

Clovis