We didn't like it when the Auburn Industrial Development Board wasn't functioning as a economic development group.

No one was happy when they were taking government money to have parties and luncheons instead of attracting industry and creating jobs in our area.

Now AIDA appears to be making some positive changes, which is good. We need some jobs and economic growth.

But casinos aren't the way. I'm not trying to squash the intentions of the newly formed board. I actually admire them for their “go get them” attitude, but casinos are not our way out.

Don't waste any grants or taxpayer money on studies. If the board wants studies on the impact of casinos, I have them: Earl Grinols and David Mustard's study and the U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice. Among their findings:

€ Eight percent increase of crime in counties that have a casino compared to that of a county without one.

€ Data collected proves that casinos create crime. Crime does not merely move because of casinos - it is actually created because of the casinos and it spills over into neighboring counties, as well.

€ It was also concluded that the normal percentage of problem or pathological gamblers that were arrested was three to five times higher than the general population.

In addition, other pathological gamblers that were arrested admitted to committing robbery in the previous year.

Thirteen percent of these arrestees admitted assaulting someone for money.

Why not learn from Buffalo and its former city comptroller, Robert Whelan. He was the city's CFO, was named to the list of the nation's best financial managers due to his ability to produce 14 years of budget surpluses. This man is financially fit and is against the casinos in Buffalo.

Why? He sees casinos for what they are: financial fantasies.

Casinos seem to be a quick fix, and it's no wonder that some people would jump at the chance. But AIDA needs to stop looking at the casino mirage and focus in on real jobs that better our city and economy. Proponents of the casino make a big deal about the jobs that will supposedly be created. Buffalo's local study proved that for every casino job created, two to 2.75 jobs would be lost in the community.

Yes, we need jobs that produce goods and services that bring commerce into our area.

Buffalo is finding out the hard way that there's a big difference between what's promised at the beginning and what actually happens.

Sure it's difficult for agencies like AIDA to create real jobs in Auburn, but there's no shortcut. A casino isn't the easy answer they're looking for.

Ducayne's column appears

Tuesdays in The Citizen, and she can be reached at sacredheart6005@hotmail.com