We, the residents of St. Tammany Parish, object to the development of a casino at the proposed site - off the Interstate I-10 twin span. We, the residents of St. Tammany, object to the bills moving through the legislature to allow a parish wide vote on the related gambling referendum, as a majority yes result will permit the casino development in Slidell by P2E. Given the controversiality of this development and the fact that Slidell will be most affected by its presence, the decision should not be left in the hands of the entire parish. Listen to the people of Slidell when they say they do not want this casino development in their backyard.

The low end casino being proposed is bound to degrade everything we love about our neighborhoods, the surrounding establishments, and Slidell. This casino will change residential life in Slidell for the worse, bringing noise, crime, traffic, and competition to many small businesses in Slidell. The long term effect of casinos on residential property values and crime is well documented and certainly negative. Its presence will detract from the surrounding property values, decrease the natural beauty of our community, cause personal and commercial bankruptcies, and bring a host of unwelcome characteristics to our community (i.e. increased poverty rate). Please consider our neighborhoods and the lives of the people who call this area home. Within these waterfront communities live many St. Tammany residents (business owners, upstanding citizens, and young families). Hundreds of homes are being built in the immediate vicinity of the proposed location for this casino. How can you seek to degrade this PRIMARILY residential area without any consideration for its residents? We hope to protect the integrity of some of the best property in Slidell, where neighbors boat, fish, and engage in recreational water activity.  Please forbid the creation and development of the proposed casino at the Oak Harbor exit or anywhere else in St. Tammany Parish.