In a surprising turn of events, a group of concerned citizens in Pope County, Arkansas has submitted over 160,000 signatures in opposition to a proposed casino in their community. The group, known as Citizens Against Casino Expansion (CACE), has been vocal in their opposition to the casino, citing concerns over the potential negative impacts on their community.
The proposed casino, which is a joint venture between Cherokee Nation Businesses and Legends Resort & Casino, has been met with mixed reactions in Pope County. Proponents of the casino argue that it will bring much-needed revenue and jobs to the area, while opponents, like CACE, fear that it will lead to increased crime, addiction, and other social issues.
The signatures were submitted to the Arkansas Racing Commission, which has the final say on whether the casino will be allowed to open in Pope County. The commission is expected to review the signatures and make a decision in the coming weeks.
In a statement released by CACE, the group expressed their gratitude to all those who signed the petition and voiced their opposition to the casino. “We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community in our efforts to stop the casino from coming to Pope County. We believe that this casino will do more harm than good, and we will continue to fight against it until our voices are heard,” the statement read.
The submission of over 160,000 signatures against the casino is a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over the project. It remains to be seen how the Arkansas Racing Commission will weigh the concerns of CACE and other opponents against the potential benefits of the casino. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that the issue has deeply divided the community in Pope County, and the debate is far from over.
