Print edition: 
Sedgwick County should reject money
Because Sumner and Sedgwick counties are in the same “gaming zone,” Sedgwick County is scheduled to receive 1 percent of the Kansas Star Casino’s revenue. The casino revenue is projected to be $150 million the first year, so Sedgwick County’s cut could be $1.5 million.
However, if memory serves, Sedgwick County strongly voted to have nothing to do with casinos. Therefore, logic demands that Sedgwick County should refuse any revenues from the evil casino.
Some folks remind me that because Sedgwick County is more populated than Sumner, more problems such as gambling addiction will be visited on Sedgwick County’s citizens and budget. This was true when Sedgwick County voted. The voters rejected this argument then, and their stance should be honored now.
RICHARD A. HOPPER
Derby
Reopen racetrack
I am deeply concerned about the economic health of our Wichita community. This is a concern for me not only from a jobs perspective, but also because a healthy and vibrant business community results in increased local funding for important things such as education.
A new proposal has surfaced calling for the reopening of the Wichita Greyhound Park. I am hoping that it will be approved, because of the benefits that Wichita will receive as a result.
The park will bring in 500 new jobs in the area. As our Wichita economy adapts to the coming changes and the ongoing recession, these jobs will be needed. And the $100 million investment to reopen the park, and the revenue it generates in operation, will provide vital funding for our local schools.
I hope that others in the community look into this issue and support this opportunity for job growth and community investment.
BENJAMIN ROWELL
Wichita
Dogs are pawns
Reopening Wichita Greyhound Park with slot machines in order to prop up the dying greyhound racing industry would cause thousands of greyhounds to pay the price, as pawns trapped by an unrelated form of gambling.
Increased public awareness of the cruelty inherent in greyhound racing is contributing to its decline. Dogs shouldn’t have to endure inhumane confinement day in and day out, or face the risk of injury by racing around an oval just so people can bet on them. Nor should dogs be abandoned or neglected if they become injured or as they age.
I have adopted ex-racing greyhounds since 1997, and I am a board member of GREY2K USA, a national nonprofit organization that works to end the cruelty of dog racing.
CARYN WOOD
Gilbert, Ariz.
