Linn County voters will head to the polls today to decide on the future of a proposed casino for Cedar Rapids. Residents in the area have been bombarded by calls and knocks at their doors. Todd Henderson, spokesman for the Vote No campaign, says most voters are ready for this debate to go away.
“Well, a lot of people are just tired of hearing about this issue, they don’t want to hear any more about a casino, whether they are for it or against it,” he says, “but it’s that way with any election.” There was some negative reaction to a weekend robo-call from the Vote No campaign.
Marcia Rogers, spokeswoman for the Vote Yes campaign, says the calls were in poor taste. “I think they expect some automated calls the weekend of an election to remind you to go and vote but you don’t expect this kind of phone call to still be happening,” Rogers says.
The recorded call included the line: “Instead of choosing a project that divides the county, you can choose an attraction that unites us.” The CEO of the nearby Riverside casino is promising to build a year-round, indoor water park on the same land casino investors want, if voters reject the referendum.
By Jill Kasparie, KCRG, Cedar Rapids