Residents gather to fight proposed casino

Concerned citizens urged to organize; contact officials

By Charlotte Graham, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com Laurel Leader-Call

LAUREL — A group of Jones County residents are looking to the “All-Sovereign God” for guidance and assistance in stopping the construction of a casino near Sandersville.

Realizing that the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are a sovereign nation and don’t have to answer to local leaders or community residents about their proposed plans to construct a casino on tribal-owned land near Sandersville, dozens of concerned citizens met at First Baptist Church in Laurel to develop a strategy to fight the project.

Jimmy Porter, executive director of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board’s Christian Action was special guest at a meeting held to hear and discuss issues related to the proposed establishment of a casino in Jones County. State Auditor Stacey Pickering was also a guest presenter.

“We want to make it clear that we are not in opposition to the Choctaw Nation,” said Allen Nix, meeting organizer and Director of Missions for the Jones County Baptist Association. “We are in opposition of a system that is exploitive, oppressive, addictive and evil.

“Gambling has been and is always wrong,” he added. “It’s vital that we put on the full armor of God in prayer. Prayer is the force and weapon we have in our arsenal as Christians.”

The Rev. Jimmy Holder, pastor of Florence Congregational Church, stressed the importance of those gathered at the meeting to get on their knees and talk to God about what’s going on. “Pray that God will help lead us in what to do and how to do it in a way that is pleasing to Him and that His name may be glorified in what’s said and done.”

In addition to praying about the issue, Porter told those in attendance that in order to be effective in their efforts to fight the casino project, they need to organize. He acknowledge that Jackson County was faced with the possibility of a casino being constructed in their area several years ago, but the community came together against it.

“As a result, they were successful in their attempt to keep the casino out of the area,” said Porter. “I’m from Neshoba County and if you would have told me there would one day be two casinos up there, I would have never believed it.”

Porter said there has been a great proliferation in Indian gaming in the past few years and regardless of what people may hear or read, it has not been good for communities or the state.

Porter warned that the Choctaws have no interest in helping the people of Jones County. He said if a casino comes to the area county residents are bound to see an increase in automobile accidents, crime and addictions.

He noted that the video slot machines that will reportedly be in the proposed casino is considered the “crack cocaine of gambling.” He quoted a number of sources that list it as the most addictive form of gambling in the nation.

Porter encouraged concerned citizens to write their elected officials to let them know that they are against the casino. “You are the ones who have to do it,” he said. “They need to hear the concerns of people in this area.”

Nix encouraged those who wanted to serve on the not- yet-named committee to sign up to serve in various leadership roles. Other meetings are planned as the group develops a strategy.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Council is scheduled to vote on whether to construct the casino near Sandersville on May 19. The Choctaws are  governed by Chief Beasley Denson and the 17-member council.

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