BC - “Abby residents split on slots with more against them Poll”
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=31ab9521-fc57-44b5-9bd3-6f421d08cd5a
Glenda Luymes, The Province, Thursday, September 27, 2007
A few days before a contentious vote by city council, a telephone poll has found about half of Abbotsford’s residents against adding slot machines to the local bingo hall.
The debate has split the largely conservative Fraser Valley community, just as it split councillors, who originally voted 5-3 to approve first reading of the motion.
Two weeks ago, 500 people packed a public hearing on the issue, as many charities spoke in favour of the slots and the revenue they’d receive from them.
In response, a small group calling itself Abbotsford Families United commissioned the poll by Winnipeg-based NRG Group. It surveyed 300 Abbotsford voters between Sept. 21 and 24.
When asked, “Do you think city council should accept the proposal to install up to 125 slot machines in the bingo hall, or reject it?” 49 per cent of respondents said council should reject it and 40 per cent said council should accept it. Ten per cent were undecided.
“I think city council needs to hold a referendum or vote no to the proposal,” said Tricia Kolsto with Abbotsford Families United.
Kolsto pointed to studies that show gambling can increase a community’s crime rate and lead to more addiction and bankruptcy.
Continued ….
