To the editor,
In 2013, our county did something bold and unexpected. We rallied together to pass a referendum to allow gaming in Greene County—why not, we had nothing to lose and everything to gain. The turnout was the highest ever for a single-issue vote, and we saw people who hadn’t voted in years get involved. The 75.1 percent approval was the highest ever in Iowa for a first-time gaming referendum.
Our community came together every step of the way, starting with the referendum vote, continuing with the license presentation and site visit and ending with Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission awarding the license on June 12, 2014.
Wild Rose Casino & Hotel-Jefferson has now been open more than six years. We can see, touch and hear the advantages gaming has brought to Greene County. In fact, Wild Rose has injected $14 million in new funding into this community that wasn’t here before and wasn’t likely to be generated without something spectacular. In addition to funding Grow Greene County Gaming Corp. and the added property taxes and fees, the casino also supports the people of the community and our quality of life with additional, major contributions for things such as the hospital expansion and the Early Learning Center.
Now, that state law says we must vote again in 2021, we know what gaming means to our communities, county and region. In contrast to 2013, today we have a lot to lose.
Let’s stand together and vote ‘YES’ on November 2.
Mary Jane and Jerry Fields, Jefferson
