What Card Clubs Will Bring to Cypress, Stanton

A Trojan horse for Cypress.

The Derby Club is not a racehorse. Is it a Trojan horse? Let it in the city and what problems will soon follow?

Sure we have had a racetrack for 40 years. Most of that time it was owned by a family who lived in Cypress. Its success as a good neighbor is the exception that proves the rule, i.e., gambling and family communities don’t mix well.

Look at the facts and the history of Las Vegas, the Bicycle Club, the Commerce Club. For example, from the San Diego County district attorney’s report (August, 1992), Page 3: “In 1990, an investigation by federal authorities resulted in criminal prosecutions of investors in the Bicycle Club and the seizure of 20% of the assets of the casino”; Page 6: “Two years after the opening of the Commerce Club, (J. Patrick) Moriarty and (Frank) Sansone, along with Commerce City Councilmen Robert Eula and Arthur Loya and city economic director Phil Jacks Jr., were indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges. They were indicted because city authorities had rigged the licensing process in exchange for a 10% hidden interest in the Commerce Club. All were ultimately convicted.”

Some say crime and harm cannot come to Cypress from card club gambling. Scotty, when did you beam these Pollyannas down? What special aegis does Cypress have? We are a small city. A major mistake would be irreparable. Why take the risk?

TOM CARROLL

Cypress