TOWN OF STOKESDALE  R-2023-07  AJ RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A GAMING CASINOIN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY ADJACENT TO THE TOWN OF STOKESDALE WITHOUT A VOTE OF APPROVAL BY THE VOTERS OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY BY LOCAL REFERENDUM WHEREAS, the Town of Stokesdale's town limits lie within Guilford County less than 4 miles fromaproposed gaming casino with a Stokesdale mailing address in southern Rockingham county; WHEREAS, Rockingham County is served by an elected Board of County Commissioners comprised of five members: the honorable Chairman Mark Richardson, the honorable Commissioner Charlie Hall, the honorable Commissioner Kevin Berger, the honorable Commissioner Don Powell, and the honorable Commissioner Houston Barrow; WHEREAS, a large casino gaming operation would not be consistent with previous and current highway commercial land use in the immediate area nor the surrounding area including the WHEREAS, the Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page is strongly opposed to a large casino WHEREAS, in Earl Ginols and David Mustard's "Casinos, Crime, and Community Costs", evidence is cited that FBI statistics show that an average county ofa population of 100,000 people implies significant increases in major crimes where casino and gaming operations are present; WHEREAS, that despite potential short term and unsustainable positive socio-economic benefits to host economies, the long term costs to the area have not been fully captured or even researched. Citing a study from the National Association of Realtors performed for Springfield, MA; home values in a proximity of 10 miles or less from a casino were expected to decrease between 4 and 10%. Additionally, the study references that pathological gambling could result in social costs of $8.4 million per year and additional foreclosures in the area could produce costs of $5 million per year. These items do not include increased direct governmental costs such as  adjacent Town of Stokesdale located just to the south in Guilford County NC; gaming operation in Rockingham County and public safety is a great concern;  additional police, fire, and medical presence due to the gaming operation;  PAGE 10F2    WHEREAS, due to the close proximity of gaming and casino operations in Danville, VA and other areas, over time the gaming casino will become less ofa destination location due to market saturation and will become an increasing drain to the local economy by recycling local money NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Town of Stokesdale desires to support the Citizens of the unincorporated communities of Ellisboro, Huntsville, and Stokesdale in Rockingham County, and Rockingham County Sheriff, Sam Page in their opposition to al large  rather than importing money from individuals living outside oft the community.  casino gaming operation less than 4: miles from the Town of Stokesdale.  Adopted this the 10th day of August, 2023.  Michael  LEL  E. Crawford,Mayor  Attest:  Robbie Lee  Town Clerk  AEARR  Wagorer II,  OR SEALA I CEDAES  PAGE 20F2