The Honorable Byron Brown
65 Court Street
213 Mahoney state Office Building
Buffalo, NY 14202

Dear Mr. Brown:

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding your position, as
stated in a recent Buffalo News article, that you favor a casino in the
City of Buffalo. This is in contrast to the two thirds of Buffalo
residents (according to a Buffalo News poll conducted last year) who
oppose such a casino.

Casinos have not been shown to provide an economic stimulus for
America's cities. Witness Detroit and Atlantic City. These cities have
thriving casinos, which are surrounded by urban blight. Closer to home,
a year after the casino in Niagara Falls, NY opened, the business
district there remains depressed. A few hours from Buffalo, the Turning
Stone casino has been an economic disaster for the surrounding area, and
people who originally welcomed the casino now see it as a huge mistake.

Introduction of casino gambling leads to serious social problems,
including increased gambling addiction and bankruptcy, both of which
have significantly increased in Niagara Falls since the casino opened
there. Increased suicide rates, crime and family disruption are other
impacts that inevitably follow the introduction of casino gambling into
an area.

I urge you to reconsider your position. Please take a stand against
casino gambling in Buffalo, or anywhere in Erie County.

Sincerely,