I went to the town meeting the other night to hear what would be said pro and con about the idea of a poker room at the Orange park Kennel Club. There was a time for people to talk (3 min) on pros and cons. I was amazed at the mis information of most people that are against it. i would have to believe that most people have never been into the Poker room that is in St Johns on racetrack road. (owned by the people who own Orange park Kennel club.

It is a very nice warm bright room, staff is very welcoming and it provides recreation for young and old. A far cry from what people seem to think that it is. People got up and spoke of drugs , rape and murder being associated with a poker room. Turning our town into a las vegas. I wonder if they have ever been to las vegas?

the people for it talked about high paying jobs (150 of them) with an ave of 50k.

Most people against it were from  river street, a very nice area. What they do not understand is that the other parts of the Orange park area need some boost . Young people comming into the area need a job if expected to buy houses for 200k-300k you cant do it making 20k a year.

look at the hotels and stores in that area, they need a boost. people comming in need to eat, need to gas up and might need a place to stay. Do we need another dollar store in a strip mall?

The traffic arguement is a good one. But one needs to know that the Poker room would be a gradual enter and exit. open from noon to mid-night peope,k come and go most of the day. there is not one rush to start or to leave. easy access to the hwy.

I might also add that it is a recreation for young and old. Look at our town, we have the movies (when is the last time there was a good one?) or go to a bar, or go to a bar, or go to a bar.

We need a reason for people to want to come to our area. A poker room would be built inside the exsisting building in a very well managed company for young and old to enjoy.

It is not the vision of a smoke filled room with sleezy females and troubled people. It is a classy upscale opperation very well managed that gives people a chance to test their skills with other in the game of poker. An activity that is booming all over the world.

My point is , before you can come out so strongly against something or someone, it might be wise to understand what it is that is being presented.