Core Review and Increased Liquor Seats at Casino On Agenda for Council
Monday, July 16, 2012 @ 3:59 AM
Prince George, B.C. – Council for the City of Prince George is back to work this evening and will hold an informal hearing on an application to change the liquor licence for the Treasure Cove Casino.
Currently, the Casino’s licence allows for the sale of liquor in the show lounge and in the café. The current licence is for a total of 257 seats. The Casino would like to expand that to include the slots area, gaming tables and poker room. It would in fact increase the number of liquor “seats” to a total of 1216. There are two letters from neighbours expressing their opposition to the proposal.
Also on the agenda, is the second update on the Core Review.
The review sets out the phases yet to be complete and the work done to date. The most recent activity is the development of the service profiles and the dates set for upcoming public workshops to identify public expectations and priorities as they relate to the services.( deadline for registration for the workshop is July 18th)
Initiatives Prince George will present a “mid-year” review. The review will outline the 5 areas which are the focus of IPG for 2012, and the work and results to date.
Council will be asked to move forward with the planning of the 2015 Centennial Celebrations for the City. The Committee looking at the 100th Birthday has already developed several goals for the event:
1. Engage the whole community
2. Enhance the pride of Prince George
3. Create a sustainable legacy
4. Proactive marketing and promotion creating theme and branding
5. Engage and foster partnerships for hosting events, sponsorships and funding
6. Promote local attractions
7. Promote local arts and culture
8. Celebrate local organizations and businesses
9. Increase the beautification of the City
10. Commemorate historical achievements
11. Enhance annual celebratory events
12. Liaise with and capitalize on the 2015 Canada Winter Games
The report to Council asks that $6,000 be set aside to launch a public input campaign to see how residents would like to mark the 100th birthday.
Comments
“Currently, the Casinoâs licence allows for the sale of liquor in the show lounge and in the café. The current licence is for a total of 257 seats. The Casino would like to expand that to include the slots area, gaming tables and poker room. It would in fact increase the number of liquor âseatsâ to a total of 1216”
Alcohol combined with gambling. What could possibly go wrong there? LOL.
Don’t we have enough access to alcohol. I see the old Del’s Propane store beside Rona has been changed to a shooter liquor store. I thjink there are mopre liquor stores in this city than there are gas stations. Thats pathetic. And people wonder why our social services are so stretched to the limit and beyond. Its only about the amount of taxes generated, nothing about social well being. Besides, the city collects the extra taxes and the govt pays for the added health care costs. Its a matter of the righjt hand not caring what the left hand is doing. Yet its killing them both.
Nothing could go wrong. Especially if they serve liquor for free as a coutesy while gamblers are plugging money into slots as they used to and maybe still do at some places in Nevada.
NMG: “Alcohol combined with gambling. What could possibly go wrong there? LOL.”
Ask Las Vegas. They’ve built an economy around it.
I don’t go to the casino, but if people want to have a drink while they pay their voluntary tax, who am I to stand in their way?
Free liquor gus? I’ll bet that’s one thing NOT coming to PG, LOL.
For the record, I really don’t care if someone wants to have a drink while they gamble. It’s obviously good for the casino as I suspect it will certainly result in more “gambling under the influence” than there currently is, which will make them more money at the tables. More money there, more money made off people buying alcohol and less money for people to spend on other services in PG. Great idea that I’m sure council will support fully.
Hey, has anyone seen that movie with The Rock called Walking Tall?
It’s about a town where the mill shut down and the only thing really left is a casino, liquor stores, drugs, corruption and crime. I love that movie. Great mindless entertainment while relaxing with a beverage and a bowl of popcorn. LOL.
NMG: “It’s obviously good for the casino as I suspect it will certainly result in more “gambling under the influence” than there currently is, which will make them more money at the tables. More money there, more money made off people buying alcohol and less money for people to spend on other services in PG.”
Well, people should be free to make their own (stupid) decisions. When the government has to step in and act as a nanny, that’s when it gets concerning. imo.
Make work project it is,now the cops can set up for all the impaireds coming out of there,maybe a couple more outlets here on the Hart,like we have not got enuff.I can spit on 3 from one spot….puff,puff,pass…
The concept of drinking alcohol while gambling may be fine for some folks but who will monitor the amount of alcohol consumption for problem gamblers?… I don’t go to the casino but I have heard that winnings are low at Treasure Cove, now add getting drunk while loosing and you have a potential social disaster on your hands. PG has enough social problems related to drugs and alcohol and IMHO don’t need to add more potential to this mix.
“Well, people should be free to make their own (stupid) decisions”
Like driving without a seatbelt? Riding a motorbike with no helmet? Doing jello shots on the corner of 3rd and Victoria? Having unsanctioned boxing in the basement of City Furniture?
Where exactly is the line where government should allow stupidity vs when they shouldn’t? Is there a higher good principal? And if there isn’t, how do you explain the first two examples I used?
NMG: “Where exactly is the line where government should allow stupidity vs when they shouldn’t? Is there a higher good principal?”
Maybe. Who should decide what a ‘higher good principal’ is? You? Me? The Government? It is not a black and white issue.
We have gotten used to the government making all sorts of decisions for us. If you want to be an idiot and drive without a seatbelt or ride without a helmet AND take responsibiity for when something goes wrong (i.e. pay full medical costs), then go for it. Problem is, people don’t want to be held responsible for their own bad decisions. We want the government to bail us out when things go wrong.
this is nuts. numerous studies have repeatedly shown the dangers of gambling. The negative impacts on society include suicides, massive debt, broken homes, etc.
What is worse is that those studies also show the negative impacts are multiplied significantly when you combine alcohol and gambling. Is there no one on Council who cares about these negative impacts?
Now that the Mayor gased the social advisory personnel there certainly isn’t anyone on staff who will raise the issue and perhaps prevent her from giving her biggest campaign contributor the green light.
Speaking of which, why did the City take down from their website all the dislcosure documents from the last election? I can’t seem to find them on the page that used to have that info. Is the City or Council trying to hide something? Other cities still have that info readily available on their websites?
I seem to recall the Treasure Cover kicked in something like $15,000 to Mayor Sheri’s campaign. Likely one of, if not the largest single campaign contribution by any company in BC(outside of Vancouver). Do you think they were looking to influence future applications?
Maybe I have been drinking too much but I would double down that the Mayor will be supporting this application.
psst: “this is nuts. numerous studies have repeatedly shown the dangers of PROBLEM gambling. The negative impacts on society include suicides, massive debt, broken homes, etc.”
You forgot the word PROBLEM. The vast majority of people who go to the casino aren’t problem gamblers.
Maybe we also should stop selling booze entirely because there are a minority of people who can’t handle it and get addicted. Oh oh, I’m sliding down the slope!
“Maybe. Who should decide what a ‘higher good principal’ is? You? Me? The Government? It is not a black and white issue”
How about the government as elected by the people? Seems pretty black and white to me . . .
“Problem is, people don’t want to be held responsible for their own bad decisions. We want the government to bail us out when things go wrong”
And thus we have rules and laws to try and limit people from making stupid decisions that impact on society at large. This brings us back to square one on this particular topic, LOL.
“How about the government as elected by the people? Seems pretty black and white to me . . .”
As long as you are willing to abide by every decision they make without question, no problem.
“This brings us back to square one on this particular topic, LOL. “
Yup.
Sounds like the decade long prohibition on beer sales at the CN center. Some people feel the need to save adults from themselves. Been to vegas many times. Having a drink at the blackjack tables is as natural as the sun rising. Casino’s are adults only, let them have a drink if they desire. This town has got to lose the nanny state mentality.
“I have heard that winnings are low at Treasure Cove”
Depends on whose point of view …. I am sure Treasure Coves’s winnings are working out okay ro them.
People do not care about core reviews ….
People care about fermented drinks …..
NMG: “I love that movie. Great mindless entertainment………”
Ever view a council meeting?!
It would be a big surprise if the Treasure Cove application does not pass.
And speaking of the Core Review Gus,specifically the survey. The disclaimer:
“The information contained herein has been compiled for the City of Prince George Core Services Review. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation”
So fill out that survey, even though the information you are dealing with may not be accurate. OK then. (But then they can say you had your say). And where can I find that professional advice? Maybe at the casino, having a drink.
psst: “I can’t seem to find them on the page that used to have that info. Is the City or Council trying to hide something? Other cities still have that info readily available on their websites?”
I see the City of Fort St John makes it pretty easy to find the financial disclosure forms for their mayor and council check out an example http://www.fortstjohn.ca/files/Lori_Ackerman(2).pdf
So where do you find the disclosure forms for PG’s mayor and council? Did Mayor Green really get $15,000 from the Treasure Cove?
Wow, if so that’s more than what the entire campaign cost for the Mayor in Fort St. John.
I’m getting old. 25 years ago you couldn’t legally buy alcohol on Sundays in BC. 20 years ago there was only one fully licensed casino in all of Canada. Now look at us go….LOL.
“25 years ago you couldn’t legally buy alcohol on Sundays in BC”
Those were the days one needed an in with a Catholic priest who would turn water into wine uring sunday mass ……
LOL……bootlegging was big back then.
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