"One of the most popular spots in Jackson County last Wednesday was a hearing in Ocean Springs on a proposal for a 100-acre casino-resort at I-10 and Miss. 57.

While about 400 people packed the Ocean Springs Civic Center, the casino proposal was hardly popular with the crowd.

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians are proposing a $375 million casino-resort complex they say would employ 2,800 people. The Choctaws are asking for a referendum on the November 2008 ballot. Once again the Choctaws pledged to abide by the results of a referendum in Jackson County on the casino.

Existing casino interests from Harrison and Hancock counties began a push last week for a vote as early as next spring. Harrison and Hancock interests seem more interested in perpetuating a monopoly on casinos than allowing Jackson County residents to arrive at their own decision

Once again, the decisions about the Choctaw proposal need to be made by Jackson County residents and not dictated by outside interests."

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Our Opinion: Let county voters decide this one (The Mississippi Press 10/22)