August 23, 2007

Dear Editor,

Re: “Casino hopes to bring neighbors to the table” in Philly Metro

My neighbors and I strongly resent the implication that the city negotiated on the neighborhoods’ behalf because the neighborhoods wouldn’t come to the table. This is a perfect example of the city working for the operator and not the people. The city and Ken Fee of Sugarhouse failed to mention that Fishtown Neighbors Association’s first priority in negotiation is resiting this intruder in our neighborhood.

The neighborhoods within the DRNA refuse to negotiate because this development has been forced on them. We have repeatedly asked for support from the city to help us re-site the casinos away from city neighborhoods. All we get in response is noise about sewer improvements and back room deals that undermine the efforts of the neighborhoods and the city’s own negotiations.

Romulo Diaz has never approached the people of Fishtown or, to my knowledge, any other group for input into this agreement. He has only accused us of not negotiating with the operator, and then gone out on his own and negotiated on our behalf. Who does he work for? What are his motives? Who benefits from Mr. Diaz’s efforts? He’s clearly not working for the good of Philadelphia or its neighborhoods.

The recently released agreement between the city and Sugarhouse show that the city wants casinos more than it wants thriving neighborhoods. Mayor Street couldn’t leave a worse legacy for himself — and a worse mess for the next mayor to clean up.

Morgan Jones
Fishtown Resident
FAST (Fishtown Against Sugarhouse Takeover)