As a Gaston County native that frequently traveled to Kings Mountain, a casino is not something one would expect in the small town in Cleveland County. There are still towns in Cleveland County that haven’t passed liquor by the drink, I would guess they would be hard pressed to find overwhelming public support for a casino. A decision this big should be put to the voters, if they support it – go ahead with the project. If they don’t, it should not continue. That is the best way to handle an issue like this.
According to a Shelby Star article,
KINGS MOUNTAIN- The city council chambers were full Tuesday night with some protesting Kings Mountain’s support of a proposed resort and casino and others to voice support and good news.
In the past few months, Kings Mountain has heard from a number of people protesting the council’s support for a casino that could possibly be built, because of a federal decision, in Cleveland County. This month, though, several spoke in favor of the economic development that a casino like this could bring to the area. And not just money from the casino, but from potential businesses that could make Cleveland County their home.
“It is hard to calculate what could happen,” said Don Peeler of Shelby. “This could be the largest single source of revenue for the county.”
David Dear, of the Cleveland County Economic Development, also stood before the council to give his appreciation to them for supporting what would be a federal decision and also the development of Cleveland County.
“This is not a local, city, county or even state decision,” Dear said. “There has been some criticism, but if we had let it hamper us, we wouldn’t be the same.”
Others that spoke against Kings Mountain’s supporting the casino again asked for the council to repeal their letter of support for the casino.
