The Editor,

I'm writing this in response to the seemingly endless stream of letters complaining about the proposed South Surrey casino. We have now heard the casino will disrupt the migratory flight patterns of birds, create problems for breeding horses and llamas, turn all of our senior citizens into addicted gamblers and bring major crime to the streets. The proposed location is apparently the worst place in North America for such a venue and will create traffic gridlock as never before.

If one looks at each of the above in isolation then considers the acres of greenhouses not far away on 116th Avenue and also on 184th Street, I am sure the horses and llamas are used to the constant noise from the freeway. Gambling creates only a small fraction of the social disfunction associated with alcohol abuse. Count the number of gambling addicts who are wasting their fortunes on slot machines and compare that with the havoc alcoholism creates. There is probably more money spent on smoking than gambled away in slot machines by addicted persons. As for traffic, has anyone looked at the development at Grandview or in the Douglas community? Think it's going to stop there? Not likely.

If any of the letter writers has ever attended a conference or convention, they would know this is an ideal location for such gatherings. There are three major golf courses in the vicinity. The beach at White Rock is just a short distance away and the border makes it easily reached when travelling north. Forget the casino if you will, this is a great location for conferences and conventions, but I truly doubt anyone will build the hotel, theatre and meeting area without the casino. Simple business economics 101.

It would be refreshing if everyone writing complaints would identify themselves for what they really are, and that is simply NIMBYists. There is nothing wrong with taking a stand on things one feels will disrupt their neighbourhood and which they don't like. But come on, let's at least be honest.

Andrew Johnston, Surrey