The last month or so has seen the formalizing of an anti-casino group in fishtown (FAST, fishtownagainstsugarhouse.org), Fishtown Neighborhood Association (fishtownlife.com) voted to negotiate with the city, state and operator under certain conditions and now legislation is moving on the state level to keep casinos 1500 feet from homes, schools and places of worship.

FAST or Fishtown Against Sugarhouse Takeover is a group of concerned Fishtown residents who are worried that Sugarhouse is making inroads into our community and, with the help of FACT or Fishtown Action convincing our legislators that Fishtown wants a casino. There are people in Fishtown that want the casino but it’s hard to separate those that have really thought out the impact but it’s hard to separate those who really want it and those that are enticed by the money. Donations have already been made to Catholic organizations. They’re selling their neighborhood for a few thousand in donations.

FNA or Fishtown Neighbors Association voted to negotiate with the city, state and operator with the following amendments:

• re-siting will be a first priority in the negotiations.
• negotiations shall recognize “Riverside” (both sides of Girard Avenue to the Delaware River) as the most impacted section of Fishtown and therefore they shall receive corresponding benefits and considerations from the negotiations.
• negotiations shall be done with independent legal counsel agreed upon by the FNA.
• Community Benefit Agreement shall have a nonbinding majority vote by the “Riverside” (both sides of Girard Avenue to the Delaware River) followed by a binding three quarters (3/4) vote of the votes cast by the Fishtown Community (Laurel Street, Front Street, Norris Street, Trenton Avenue, York Street, Delaware River).

This does NOT mean we’re accepting Sugarhouse. We don’t want a casino in near our homes. In fact the first amendment is an effort to move it. We decided it was time to go into a negotiation with a strong position and try to get it moved. If the final site is in Fishtown we need to make sure the neighborhood is protected.

Fumo has agreed to enter legislation on the state level to create a 1500 foot buffer between casinos and homes, schools and places of worship. There are mumblings that Sugarhouse should be excluded. Many hundreds of us that live near the site disagree. FNA voted in the spring to oppose the site. FNA’s vote to negotiate includes an amendment to fight for resiting.

Tell Mike O’Brien, Rendell and Fumo how you feel. Call Fumo’s office and ask him to introduce the 1,500 foot buffer legislation (including Sugarhouse) before the session ends. If you are unable to speak with Senator Fumo himself (probably the case), leave the message with his secretary or Aid. And let them know if you are a Fishtown or Northern Liberties resident and want a 1,500 foot buffer from casinos also. I would call both offices, so that we are sure he gets the message.
Senator Fumo’s Harrisburg Office – 717-787-5662
Senator Fumo’s Philadelphia Office – 215-468-3866
or
use the hallwatch fax bank