It will be good for the people who would like their old jobs back for these casinos to get built. It will also be good for the area, bringing in revenue. However, it would also be good if the homes in the Waveland, BSL area could be built also.

Gambling is not the way to improve our way of life. Hard work, education, and the training reguired to help us overome adversity is. But, then again, there is all of this welfare money out their and the casino's need it more than thoes on welfare.

Rather than bring in real business the states have decided to gamble on the slots for new jobs. Home video slots are a billion dollar business offshore. I'd rather see something approval from the federal goverment on that. So we don't have to keep paying for thrumps $5.25 a gal jetfuel

Time will only tell if the land based casinos were a good idea or not. Investors have been licking their chops waiting for an opportunity like this. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and am not opposed to the idea, I just hope we don't get carried away with it. I hope the decision to go land-based wasn't just a knee-jerk reaction.

It seems to me that the money could be put to better use than another casino. This country needs another casino like a hole in the head.

Gambling, liquor and sex, it's all guys need to be happy...so its a good idea. It will always be a good idea and I don't care what the right wing Christian Bush blowhards say. In fact, whenever the GOP convention comes to town, high-priced hookers from all across the country show up because they know business is always brisk.

God bless the Bellamars

President Bush said Americans are addicted to Gasoline. When they go to a gas station they complain about being "ripped off" by the large Oil Companies.

Americans are also addicted to Casino Gambling, another large highly profitable industry. When they go to a Casino they are literally robbed by the one -armed- bandits.

There is a big difference between the two "addictions". When you go to a gas station you get something for your money---Gasoline! When you visit a Casino you get "nothing"--- except smoke filled lungs and an empty wallet!

I worked for a casino in Oregon once. The assistant manager commented that putting a casino into a new location was like "giving the gift of cancer."
Now, why do you suppose he said that?

For some strange reason, people expect a rebuilding effort to restore New Orleans and the surrounding parishes to what they once were. This, on the surface, seems to be what the community is going to get but in reality the government and private business have 100's of millions of dollars at stake here and this is a perfect chance for them to rebuild this afflicted area towards an eye into the future. 20,30,40 years into the future... Those that think the Gov. is just going to give out tidy loans to everyone so they can rebuild their homes and go on about daily life like before, are in for a big disappointment. The key to all these new casinos and hotels that will be popping up in the near future hinges on the communities not getting re-established like they once were. A harsh and sad reality but this area has been slated for and geared to, the DOLLAR. You will see a transformation on a Herculean scale. Forthcoming will be state of the art malls, very high-tech hotels, huge casinos to rival those in Vegas or Atlantic City. All this will take place, (is already taking place) and sadly, most of those folks that have been sent all across the country to re-locate are not coming back.

It is insane to think that Casinos are the way to keep a City alive. Oh sure, it creates employment, but how many employees don't gamble? Casinos are nothing but a trickle-UP business. Of course they will donate to local charities etc.etc...it's only the peoples' money, and for them a tax write-off...so what are they losing? Why not build trade schools the size of casinos for the youth to learn trades and be productive in life rather than spend their whole lives on welfare? They like to call it "Games of Chance" to soften the age old word "Gambling", but the results are the same thousans will loose all they have and be more dependent on our Govt; and of course...that money supply is endless..........only for a while.
Just look what Katrina did....now just wait till the next mega-disaster....Katrina will look like a piece of cake.

Casino's mean JOBS!...some people can't see the facts....they only see evil...is having a job and supporting your family evil?....I don't think so

D'head won't know what hit 'em.

Casinos drain huge amounts of money from local economies and send it out of state with no permanent benefit to the community. The next time you see a bus load of senior citizens headed for the local casino, ask yourself to feel the pain and lonliness those poor souls will suffer for the next month knowing they have lost all their money.

Apparently none of y'all every visited Casino Magic in Bay St Louis before Katrina. Not only was it one of the largest employers in the county, (which also translates to health insurance and other benefits), but it also provided 50% of the city's annual tax revenue. It was a very classy, clean establishment, tucked away off the main roads. The casino was also a big draw for non-gamblers: restaurants, the excellent buffet, concerts and shows (including weekly shows with jazz clarinetist Pete Fountain), golf course, spa... Those of us here in BSL know that the casino is vital to our recovery, and it can't come back soon enough.

Well, don't we just see nothing but the dark side! Rather extreme view points. Before the storm hit the casinos had been here for around 10 years or longer. The people that could look past the fact that something was going to have to change here to give people employment will admit that the WORST did not happen. If you want to keep up with what is going on here after MSNBC shuts this site down --- check out WLOX.com and sunherald.com.

This is for people reading this site that are not from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Tourism is, and has always been, one of the major industries for this area. Casinos are just a recent addition to the 'entertainment' offered to visitors. The comment by Richard that casinos drain money with no benefit to the community has no basis in fact and no merit. Every person employed by a casino buys food, gas, automobiles, and clothes. They pay rent and taxes, and provide essential revenue for local governments.

To tell communities that have been devastated beyond anything experienced in the more than 200-year history of this great country that casinos are bad, immoral, or personnally distasteful is an egregious insult to those of us living here. It is akin to me telling everyone making a living from the steel industry, automobile industry, or coal mining that these industries pollute the environment and should be eliminated. While an argument can be made that these industries also provide good to the American people, it can also be argued that casinos provide entertainment. Entertainment is just that, entertainment. Whether it is snow skiing, mountain climbing, or deep sea fishing, no intrinsic return on money spent is received other than a moment of pleasure.

The vast majority of people who gamble at casinos do so responsibly, and do it for the pleasure of the moment. Let's not be so heartless to advocate depriving this region of one of the few industries capable of quickly gearing up to provide jobs, insurance benefits, and tax revenues to a region so utterly destroyed ten months ago.

Scott you are right.
Lets say you lost your home or it is damaged, you lost your casino job which you made a good living at. Now you have no job, you are terribly depressed because you only option is flipping burgers at Sonic. Most sit around bored all day and the drug of choose is drinking (yes, more people are drinking now a days, that cost money!). Than you get a call that you can have your job back. You think you actually smiled for the first time in a few weeks. You decide to cut the grass, you laugh, your kids notice the up beat attitude. Now you know you can afford those damn uniforms the school system is requiring finacilly suffering families to buy. (Hey MSN to a story on that.) You might be able to even replace the banger car you had to buy because you put all your dollars into your home.
Do you people know how many familes the above could be?
People must gamble responsibly. No different than drugs, drinking, going out to dinner, the movies, shopping. The are lots of addictions that people spend their money on. Common sense we all need.
For you guys who do not support gaming you can send money and pay our bills!!! Until than we will support gaming as it has improved our way of life in South MS. (not to mention entertainment, tourism, options to eat out, etc. etc. etc.)

You people are unbelievable! What negativity and "WE" are the ones in the Bay that lost everything - well, Thank God that we haven't lost our optimism - it seems like most of y'all never had any optimism to lose! I hardly even read this site anymore, because most of the posts are so negative and they are obviously from people who have nothing to do, no friends and no one in their lives to love them or to love! I would have rather lost my home and everything I owned (which I did) then to be one of you people who have nothing good to say. THIS IS AMERICA - the FREE world, if you don't like casinos, don't go in them!! What I find most amazing is that all the posts which support the casinos are from Bay/Waveland/MS residents - and people like Ralph G., Mark S., Jane Doe, Joseph, Charley, Jerry, Richard are saying how they are evil and terrible for the economy, what they don't realize is that "We don't care that you don't support them, you aren't from here and stay away if you don't want to come here because we have them" - we have thousands and thousands of great people (literally) who have come, fallen in love with us and the Bay/Waveland and will come back (some have even already bought property here)for many years to come - and whether they go to the casinos or not, it doesn't matter - they will support our community. I'm sure none of the ones I mentioned above have ever step foot in Bay St. Louis or Waveland, because obviously, they don't "get it" - if they came and saw, they would be sorry for ANYTHING negative they said about us having a casino and trying to get some kind of tax base back and get some of our citizens JOBS!
As the saying goes, "it's better to remain silent and appear as a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!" - Find out the facts about what Casino Magic brings to our community, before you start writing aimlessly - find out all the donations that Casino Magic makes to our local community and whether they are tax write offs or not, who gives a damn - believe me, the gov't has gotten plenty more of our tax dollars over the course of our lifetimes down here, than any of us have gotten from then in the past 10 mths! so more power to Casino Magic if they can somehow pay fewer taxes! Besides the thousands of jobs they offer our citizens, the Magic provided wonderful entertainment, restaurants and beautiful accommodations for customers and visitors who frequent Stennis Space Center (employer of 4000 people) - I could go on and on, but those of you from here know all this and for the others, you aren't worth any more of my words! Andy, Scott, Lee & Betty Sue - y'all "get it" and we are going to come back just fine - just think about it: every single thing in the Bay and Waveland is going to be brand new when it does come back - I thought that as I sat in my dentist's office last week - looking around, EVERYTHING was brand new - it put a big smile on my face - the little things in life - I have not lost appreciation for any of that yet and hope I don't! For those of you from here, hang in there and pray for patience and strength - before you know it, we will be back in the "den of sin" (Casino Magic), listening to good music, eating good food and partying our asses off!
Theresa - BSL

THANKS FAITH AND TIM!!
Thanks for the benefit concert in New Orleans, thanks for your words of understanding and speaking out. Thanks for being out spoken and expressing what appears to be true words from such great super stars that you are. I should say such great people which is more important than being super stars and you all appear to be the type of people that know that.
Come down to Bay St Louis and Waveland, we all would love to show you our spirit.

Hey I flipped burgers at Sonic 30 someodd years ago....But I didn't LIKE it!.....maybe that's what made me drink

My husband and I lived in Gulfport, Ms for five years. We enjoyed the casinos and free buffets (crab legs and shrimp were plentiful). I was employed and my husband is retired. We were never able to save money while living there - even though we had fun at the casinos. We recently moved to Texas (close to Huntsville) and we are able to save money now and enjoy doing simple things in life. Casinos are too much of a temptation for the elderly and young alike and sometimes ruin lives and relationships.

Georgeanna I love a good drink, I spend a few bucks sometimes. I waste too much money on getting a new car every four years. (Can you shut down all those car dealership with those pretty shiny cars that tempt me? My children need that money I waste. I stay in debt constantly because I am always paying a hefty care note.)
I hate to be harsh on you but life is full of temptation. Guess you have your husband's eyes taped shut huh? I am sure he gets tempted.
There is always something that ruins peoples lives, drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. etc. etc. There is a compulsive gaming group on the coast that all the casinos support too. You can also get yourself banned from a casino if you have a serious problem.
Do you know how many people were able to get good paying jobs and were able to feed and support their family after gaming came to this area. Lots more than those that lost everything. There is help and it is no different than any other addiction they need to want help first. Please don't blame the casinos. I know it is not the same but kind of the same as blaming fast food joints when some is obese.

Shoot Georganna...ya'll close enough ta Huntsville ta smell da meat frying!!!....naaa i think they give em shots now....i think....

I was employed with a casino in Biloxi before Katrina for 12 years. I know first hand the "benefits" of having the casino revenue. Not only did I have health insurance, dental, vision and 401k, but I have a roof over my head and 3 sets of tires to get me and my family around. We go on vacation every summer for 1 week and not to mention several mini get aways thru out the year. The so called "sin money" also pays for my 2 children to play sports for free! Yes, that is FREE! The city also provides the uniforms for all sports they play-shirts, shorts, pants, etc. My children need something to do during the summer, so I put them in summer camp that I only pay $20 a week per child. They go bowling, swimming, movies, parks, and so on. So I guess all this "sin money" is a really bad thing?

Good for you Waveland. Don't ever forget the helping hands that came there to get you all those new houses and buildings. God bless you all.

After reading the replies above, I must say there are a lot of people out there that have "tunnel vision" and can only see the "bad side" to something that 'ain't so bad! Come people, it's not about gambling, drinking or sex...it's about the people that lost everything almost a year ago and are still struggling to restore some kindof normalcy to their life...rebuilding the casinos will help rebuild the economy to the local area....after all, the Federal Government is not helping.

I would like to say just a few words on behalf of all the people that lost their homes, their jobs (including myself)everything they had in Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Katrina was the most terrifying thing that has ever happened in my life. I lived in Biloxi and worked at the Imperial Palace Casino. I am originally from California, but moved to Mississippi when my son was in the service there. I loved it there and I loved working in the Accounting Department of the IP. Without the Casinos I would not have been able to stay there, it was the Casino that gave me the opportunity to live and work in Mississippi. There are not many jobs to be found and without the re-building of the Casinos people would not be able to return. I plan on returning someday.

I would like to add though I would not work at the IP again as they got rid of all their loyal employees and brought in all the people from the GRAND. The Grand is not coming back and because the new GM of the Ip is from the Grand in Tunaca he is bringing in all the Grand Employees. That would be ok if hadn't further distroyed the lifes of the people that had dedicated their lifes to that casino and had just lost everything they owned. Every other casino on the Coast gave their employees three months pay after the Hurricane the IP gave their employees 10.00/hr to clean up the debri for them. The IP also sustained the least amount of damage and re-opened some months ago. I know that I strayed from my original thoughts but it just makes me so angry what the IP did. The Casinos are a great source of revenew for Mississippi.

I do thank the volunteers. No matter where I am when anyone does something nice it brings tears to my eyes. Even someone putting extra coins in a parking meter. This storm changed everyone and no one can understand unless you live thru it, and forced to live with it.
Personally I paid for everything in my home I did not do myself. I did not put the money in my pocket and had volunteers do it.
Mr. Paul we do have a long long way to go. We cannot do it on our own. If you watch any news shows regarding this storm it was a once in a 100 year storm. As the stories say there were houses that were built close to 1900 that with stood all other storms that are now gone. BUT we are blessed, yes thanks to volunteers and thanks to our spirit.
Maybe one day, years from now your kids will visit this area, appreciate it and even move here. You never know.

IT seems casinos are still rutheless in there hiring! a certain one in gulfport does not bother to send letters to there former employees instead they hire people from the grand before giving former employees a chance no wonder half the people wont go back deplorable i think some one should picket them

Paul G, We will never forget those who helped us.

Paul G,I'm with Kathy....I don't know you, but if you help Mississippians.....you're one of us!

Hats off to Casino Magic, Hollywood Casino in Bay St Louis, MS. They are dedicated in bringing back all their willing pre-Katrina employess. Thanks to their owners Penn National Gaming who is behind that 100%.

Just drove down hwy 90 from Biloxi towards Bay Saint Louis as far as I could (bay bridge is still out) and the future has started already. The casinos have been bringing in money and jobs for an area that 20 years ago was nothing but a few tourist shops mixed between miles of older southern homes. Now the wonderfull homes are all gone... The only way to help the people of the area is to rebuild the casinos and let the ball roll with the condominiums. You can't get insurance to build a home next to the beach anymore
so it is the next step forward.

I find it amazing how people who have never been to
the coast are making negative comments and have no clue about the TENS of thousand
of employees that worked in the casino industy not to mention all the companies that kept the casinos stocked with food, drink, clothing and you name it.

I will be going back to work in a few weeks and have had many reunions with some old friends.

Casino Magic Bay Saint Louis is and has always treated me as family and it will reopen as Hollywood casino in a few months.

All I can say is come on down...

We will leave a light on for you.

Take care

Man there's a good story on yahoo today 7/14/06...of Mississippi casino's

Ahem, Casino Magic was NOT the largest employer in Hancock County. Port Bienville and Stennis Space Center far exceed Casino Magic in employment of locals. I recognize several of my fellow local citizens are pro-casino but I ask that you be open minded enough to acknowledge many of us do NOT want casino development in this area. There are other sources of revenue....we just have to look beyond the casino industry. Gambling is a cancer, a poison, to many. Yes, people have choices but casinos are savvy in marketing and the temptation weighs heavily upon our weak, who are quick to think if they gamble "just a few dollars" they are sure to gain back a lot more. I grew up here, my family is here. My hard-earned dollars will be spent at local, family-owned businesses who have a personal interest in our community. As children, we used to ride our bikes and fish on the seawall or at Joe's Bayou. Now this area is pavement with a big casino in the middle. Our children no longer have a wholesome source of entertainment. Yes, we need help to get back on our feet but let's not be desperate enough to allow the gaming industry to take advantage of our weak friends and family.

As a "penny ante" gambler out here in California, I say best of luck to you down there in getting your casinos and your jobs back. I am a lifelong resident of Sacramento and several times a year visit Lake Tahoe, Reno and Laughlin NV in the winter. As Lee Wilkerson and others said, small amount recreational gambling is an entertainment like going to the show or the ballgame. If you don't enjoy it or approve, choose another recreation.

I'm sorry for those of you who worked for the one or two casinos which didn't look after their employees. I know that Harrah's offered jobs to their folks at their other properties, and some of those folks came out here to Reno and other Harrah locations. Offering people an alternate job and helping them relocate seems like a pretty good employer to me.

I think the "losing the rent" problem applies to a very small percentage of gamblers; among senior citizens the bus trips are a social outing and mostly very positive.

Before gaming we didn't have an economy. Now we do.I guess some of you would rather us go back to
not having an economy?If you live in Mississippi ya'll know what I mean.

Ann, I believe Casino Magic/Hollywood Casino was the largest employeer of people residing in Hancock County. The Port and Stennis both have many companies within their area. Locations wise maybe the had a lot of locals working there but each of those companies do not have over 1,000 workers.
Also lets remember many people who work at Stennis choose to reside in Slidell or even Picayune.
The tax dollars and the jobs that Hollywood Casino bring to this area is something we cannot live with out. Ask Mayor Eddie Favre, you know exactly what he will tell you.

I think it is very interesting how many people have an opinion about casinos and the coast of MS, that have never been here or will likely never come.

I am really sorry to hear all the negative about the casino's on the coast. It would appear as though the casno's brought jobs, insurance , etc. to many people who before did not have much. Gambling is not evil, what is evil is what people do to themselves and to others without thinking first.
My wife and I have driven from Huntsville to Biloxi to stay at a casino, spent very little money and had a great time.You do not have to spend a fortune to have fun and relax.
I hope the people of the coast can rebuild their lives and their homes and prosper once again.
Good luck and may God bless all of you.

the negitivity of the folks who don't live on the coast is just not right. just let the people on the coast who lost every thing alone and let them rebuild their lives. I live in lebanon mo. and have sent hundreds of dollars for the recovery of the gulf coast. My wife andIare both factory workers and make half way desent money and are glad to help in the recovery. People need to quit bitchin about how the people are making a living and pitch in and help a little bit.

Anything that brings funds back to the economy and brings jobs, and tourism is the greatest asset that your economy could ask for in a post Katrina society. Realistically you are providing work, fun, and tourism that will spring board off the development of these facilities. In short you are relieving part of the financial burden that this hurricane caused, and allowing for the allocation of funds that were given to victims to go to other things. and as to the other comment about the casino and gas you are getting something when you fill up, with legalized land gaming you are getting a fresh new revitalized economy

I don't know why anyone is opposed to something that helps the citizens of BSL and these other areas get a sense of normalcy back. The casinos existed before the storm happened, so why is it such a big deal now? Some of you people act like all the citizens have to do is say they want these casino developers to put the money into something else, and they'll do it. Hello! Casino's mean big money. It's not like they can choose to build schools, housing etc. They are going to do whatever brings in money and I'm sorry to say that building "trade schools the size of casinos" is not quite a cash cow. Some of you need to quit being so idealistic and acting like you have all the answers. It's not that easy. I say, whatever it is that will give the residents (who are the ones who suffered the losses- not the rest of us!) back jobs and help them return their lives to normal, then more power to them. I'm rooting for you guys!

I worked in Gulfport as a disaster relief nurse after Katrina, now working temporarily in Manhattan. It is interesting to me when I tell people up here what I did and that MS is my home, how interested they are in what is going on. They are surprisingly supportive. I tell them that Mississipians are very proud, and we will be back. I also will tell you on a personal note, that some of the best times of my life were spent on vacations that in some way involved going to the casinos...but not just to gamble! The Biloxi Grand and the Beau Rivage were some of the most entertaining places on the coast if you didn't gamble a PENNY!! So you people who aren't from the Great State of Mississippi who don't "get it" about rebuilding the casinos, like some others have said, don't come. I assure you we will not miss you one bit!!

Washington DC would rather sink billions into rebuilding Iraq than our devastated Mississippi coast. So we are supposed to turn up our nose at the only industry interested in coming down here? Yes, much of the casino money leaves the state but we must be employed in order to feed and educate our children. What other option do we have? Move to Bagdad?

Alcohol consumption, gambling, and other addictive behaviors have been around since the dawn of man. It's not going away anytime soon. Personally, I don't participate in any of the afforementioned. Does that make them wrong? I'm not God, so I won't judge them. For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS GAMBLE! You may as well get revenue from it!

We live in West Virginia but our family lives in Waveland. We stayed at Casino Magic for the first time and really thought it was great. We didn't gamble because we aren't into it but I can tell you when we return in 07, we will gamble and spend as much money as we can afford to help do our small part in bringing back this beautiful place. Coming from a state that runs neck and neck with Mississippi for last in everything, we know that money means money. Narrow-minded people aren't worth your time, forget them.
We're dreamin of Trapani's and can't wait to see you in the spring!

Kevin, man if I put a quarter in a machine.....I'm takin' that FREE drink!!!

The people posting about the "evils" of casino gambling and how it takes money from the people who can least afford to lose it seem to be missing one important point, if these people arent gambling at the casino's they will find somewhere to do it. I live in Maryland and we have no casinos or slots, the Atlantic City NJ casinos send buses down to Baltimore and not only do they give them free rides to the casinos and back, they give $10 tokens for the slots as well.
may as well keep the tax revenue and jobs in your own state/county.

We've sold our soul for a quick buck. The whole charactor of the Gulf Coast will be destroyed by letting these casinos onto land.

Dan you just don't get it.You probably think God destroyed the coast because of gambling? We've had gambling in M.S. for many years it helped build our economy.Do you really think 800 feet is going to prevent the coast from coming back BETTER THAN IT WAS?If you do I wouldn't want you on my team.

Yeah, Dan, let's just bring back the seafood refineries to clog up the view and "character". Anyone remember the view and "character" of East Biloxi on the way to Ocean Springs???? Remember the smell???? What everyone seems to forget is that the revenue from "these casinos" supplies much needed money to the ENTIRE state, not just the Coast. "These casinos" also provide jobs with healthcare benefits to people who never had healthcare before. So, if you want to bring in new business, fine. But, before you start knocking what is currently working on the Coast to support many families/organizations throughout the state, get your facts straight. The "people" in the counties/cities that have gaming VOTED to have this as a source of revenue and jobs. If you do not want this, find another source, lure them to the Coast, and have them set-up. Bottom line is that people are making a decent wage with this industry whereas, decent wage could not even be uttered on the Coast pre-gaming.

BTW....It is not my responsibility to police the "vices" of the world. If you are in a casino gambling, you are over 21, a legal adult. Take responsiblity for yourself!!! If you can't handle the pressure, then don't go to the casino. Plain and simple.

They have already fought this fight for years won the right to erect gambling establishments, so What difference is a couple of hundred feet going to make? Everybody complains that gov't. isn't giving enough money, well here's the money. What difference does it make where it comes from?

I'm with Libby. Now I know where my next vacatition is going to be. We are Americans and thats what Americans are suppose to do help for each other. I'm not a gambler but I will gamble when I go there. I will spend my money in the casinos. If thats what it takes count me in.

We often went to the MS coast for weekends and vacations. We usually stayed at one of the casinos even though we do not gamble because they offered clean rooms, good food, and friendly, efficient staff at reasonable rates. We were buying a condo there but Katrina hit 10 days before our closing. We were still planning to buy on the coast but rebuilding is so slow because of all the hassles with insurance companies and those that are being rebuilt have doubled in price. There are currently very few amenities (stores, restaurants, etc.). As much as we love the MS coast, I think we may have to reconsider our options - perhaps a house on a lake?

Some of my cousins and I have outings to various places on weekends every so often. We would usually wind up going to the "Coast" maybe twice a year and would visit the casinos. We knew which ones had the nicest bathrooms, the best buffets, the best entertainment, the ugliest carpets, etc. I love the casinos. Even though my limit was just two rolls of quarters, I happily gambled away. My cousins and I will be returning to our dallience with sin, when we can work out our work and family schedules. Then we will go to church on Sunday.

Hey Jane, the 1'st time I went to Vegas...Daddy got 1 roll of nicholes ....and that was that....but I was 15 at the time. HA HA HA long time ago!!!!

Hat's off to you there in Mississippi on your ability to rebuild. The casino base there was always a favorite trip for me from the great state of Lousyana. Yes I spelled it right Lousyana. The state that can not and will not get it right. From our great halls of leadership in Baton Rouge who blames it on Washington to our city of New Orleans. You know the COCO city as stated by the elected Mayor who posted billboards in Hosuton and Atlanta to seek the ever so important vote. What a joke we are, have been, and will continue to be. As I drive from Lafayette to Gulfport and the coast line to view the horrible destruction that took place I notice how the people in Mississippi got out and cleaned their streets, picked up their garbage and started to create an environment they could be proud of. We on the other hand ask to return to the state we where in prior to the storm. The rude, dirty streets of N.O. with it's crime rate, and of course our local casino's. Where you are greeted with a hand out coming and going, a coco service that is loud, self center, and rude, rude, rude. I wonder why all those investors don't want to build in N.O. Hmmm; anyway keep up the good work. Bring your city back and beyond where it was. Build the large casino's with fine spa's, great food, entertainment, and a smile. Build and we will come. Anything to get out of N.O. where I can't even let my family walk without a bullet proof vest.

good luck in all you do in mississippi , my wife and I love the biloxi area we've been coming to the grand , the magic, the beau for about 5 years about once a month we gamble some ,we site see some, we also go to vegas once a year the thing thats different about southern mississippi are its people the service there is much more personal ,the people you see time and time again make you feel at home best wishes to all the casino workers in southern mississippi god bless you and to all you people who hate to see these people prosper shame on you.