Not everybody is on-board with building a big fancy casino resort on the shore at Slidell.
Organized opposition made their case loud and bold at the Slidell City Council meeting.
The Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate reports the Louisiana Family Forum sent bulk emails to residents urging them to oppose the casino. Particularly, a resolution by the City Council to put the matter before voters.
As this was going on a flyer was being mailed to resident in St. Tammany Parish slamming the developer, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, for building a casino in upstate New York on promises of tax revenue only to have the casino seek a tax break when projections didn’t materialize.
When Tuesday’s meeting of the Slidell City Council took place, area pastors and church members turned out in force to voice their opposition to the planned casino.
Members quoted scripture and talked about the ills of addiction as they called on the council to reject the casino.
"Pontius Pilate was given the opportunity to make a decision or not, and he decided to punt and wash his hands and say let the people decide," Lisa Clayton told the council and quoted by the paper. "We have an opportunity to speak against something that God does not want in this community."
This isn’t the first time church and residents have banded together on opposing gambling halls.
In 1996, a casino referendum went down to a stunning defeat with 62% of the vote.
Others gave the council an earful on the evils of gaming: From gambling addiction and hardships to domestic violence, divorce, suicide and declining property values.
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal was reported so moved by the points made he made up his mind to oppose the casino, especially after no one appeared to speak in favor of the casino or its developer.