Letter To The Editor

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Where are all the good people in Henderson County? The same people who would be outraged at the thought of a Strip joint (even though perfectly legal) opening in our community. Where is the outrage over these so-called "game" rooms? These places that take advantage of seniors and people on fixed incomes. I say this because that is the people who visit these places.

Studies show that the least fortunate people in our societies are the ones that gamble the most. These game rooms are places that operate on the hopes and dreams of hitting it big. We all know that is not what happens. Why is it that the state taxes each machine, but picks and chooses which game room to close down? Why was the game room in the old Thomas Walker place closed down and the game room running in the feed store north of Brownsboro? I was told that the game room (Lynn's or Glen's or something) on 315 by Sunrise Shores had police protection. Is that true? Do our law enforcement departments protect some places and close down others?

Whose pockets are getting fat while our seniors get taken advantaged of? I have talked to our sheriff about these things and he says it is too hard to close the places down. Everyone knows these places are not legal or they would have huge neon signs advertising. The rooms are always in some rundown building or trailer house in some out of the way place. The type of places that are a breeding ground for crime. What better place to rob than an out of the way place full of seniors and cash? Is it going to take one of our loves ones being robbed or even killed before we do something about this dirty little secret thriving in our county?

Maybe this is just another example of people not wanting to get involved because it doesn't concern them. It is true. You may not be concerned now, but someday someone you love will be involved and it may be too late.

Joe Scott Parker Black Jack