Letter: Casino workers victimized also

Friday, Oct. 5, 2001 | 4:30 a.m.

In the recent aftermath of Sept 11 and the current layoffs within the community, I have one question:

How could the major players in the casino industry donate a million dollars each to New York City while laying off thousands of people in their own city? Crippling the local economy, do they not think we have families who need? This does nothing but make us victims to the same horrific act of terrorism.

I cannot comprehend, nor can I justify, their collective action. My need to know is the collective reaction of many residents of this city who call it home. Not that we are unsympathetic to the people of New York. However, why would they want to make us victims -- aren't 5,000-plus enough?

Maybe the big players should be taught a lesson in the reality of loyalty. After all, in the scheme of things, without us the local people, they wouldn't be what they are. It's us the worker bees who sweat to make them what they are. They should stop thinking they are the community and start being a part of the community. There are over a million people now living in this valley.

They should react to this comment as it is one of the people and they should turn right around and donate another million dollars each in a fund to help the families they recently put out of work.

Unless of course this wasn't an act of good faith but nothing more then another tax write off.

KYMBERLI ROBERSON