(Spirit Lake)– The city of Spirit Lake has gone on record opposing legalized gaming in Dickinson county. The city council voted three to one with one abstention Tuesday to take a stance on the issue.
Councilman Pat McNorton proposed the resolution, saying it’s a moral issue and counter to the family-values image the Iowa Great Lakes portrays to tourists.
Public comment was predictably mixed. Business owner Darwin Pike believes a casino would be good for Dickinson county, and said the city council would be hypocrites to take any proceeds from gambling if the issue passes July 8th and a casino is constructed. Spirit Lake retiree Bob Stemme says he likes his community the way it is and doesn’t want legalized gaming in Dickinson county. He also said the city of Spirit Lake should take any gambling proceeds it can from a casino because he says the city’s cost of public safety would go up.
Councilman Bob Cosens seconded McNorton’s motion to adopt the resolution. They, along with councilman Duane Yager, voted for it. Councilman Terry Yarns says he has opinions about legalized gambling in Dickinson county too but doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to express them as an elected official. He abstained from the vote. Councilwoman Barb Ricke also said the council has no business trying to influence citizens how to think or vote and cast the lone “no” vote on the resolution.
