Repeated requests have been ignored.

Eric Bodenweiser has appealed to council twice, and at the Feb. 16 meeting he was joined by four others. There is no indication council will place the matter on a future agenda, but at least one member, Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown, voiced support for a resolution.

Wilson’s son, Robert Wilson, was among Indian River school board members who passed a resolution against the construction of a casino near Sussex Central High School.

Wilson thanked those who spoke during the public participation session. “It’s a rarity to find people to stand for morals today,” he said. State officials are putting proceeds from gambling first without considering any possible ramifications, he said.

Councilman George Cole, R-Ocean View, said the council is not involved with social issues but land-use matters. In that regard, he has asked county staff to explore a zoning designation specifically for casinos. “That’s where we can have an impact,” he said. “I think this shows how desperate the state is.”

With table games coming to three existing casinos in Kent and New Castle counties, state legislators are expected to vote this spring on allowing construction of a casino in Sussex County.

Although opponents mentioned Del Pointe Resort and Racino off Route 113 in Millsboro by name, there are three other proposed projects on the table – one at the site of the old Georgetown harness track off Route 9, Delmar International Speedway off Route 13 in Delmar and near the inlet bridge at Delaware Seashore State Park.

Mandy Olewiler, representing Delaware Family Policy Council, said gambling breeds a host of social ills, and the projected economic effect is often greatly exaggerated. She said because of increased crime and the need for more programs to support gambling addicts and their families, the costs associated with gambling often exceed the revenues. “It’s unconscionable for a government to allow and promote gambling,” she said.

“There is a better way to bring jobs to the county that doesn’t create a short-term gain and sacrifices our families,” she said.

The Rev. Rod DuFour, minister at First Baptist Church in Georgetown, said he deals with victims of gambling. “We don’t get the true picture,” he said. “It’s a huge health problem and places more burdens on a system that is already overburdened.”

He presented a petition to council with 300 names of those opposed to gambling expansion.

Bodenweiser said most news focuses on people who win jackpots at casinos. He said no one hears about domestic violence, lost fortunes and divorces related to gambling addiction.

He said a resolution from Sussex County opposing gambling would mean something. “It would have a resounding effect on our legislators in Dover who are still on the fence,” he said.