Cedar Fair CEO rails against Native American casinos

Ugh, whatever.

This is obviously another preemptive attempt to get CP a piece of the action if gambling gets approved in Ohio (which has already been mentioned a zillion times by CP management). But I think most people would already support non-tribal based gambling vs. tribal based gambling. But none of it is gonna happen anyway, so why even bother?

Also, in the article a spokesman for CP mentions, "We aren't proponents of gambling, but if it does become legalized, we would want to be involved." HUH? We don't support gambling, but if it gets legalized here, we'll support it. Talking out of both sides of your mouth...

It's a public company, and that's what's in the best interest of the unit holders. People have a finite amount of money. If you're arguably one of the biggest tourist attractions in the state, do you want people spending their money with someone else? Of course not. They're doing what they're supposed to in order to be responsible to unit holders.

I know it is the right way to handle this.

And, I agree with Dick...tribal casino gambling will benefit NO ONE..except the tribal members. Even though they will have more money it doesn't fix the basic tribal problems of alcholism, suicide, etc.

No tax dollars for city's and school districts who will bear the brunt of the impact.

If it is going to happen in Ohio (and it likely will if the tribes take it to court give the precendence set around the country) why doesn't Ohio get ahead of the game, build them, and tax the crap out of them?

Disney’s new CEO seems to have a different opinion on gambling and he has landed a deal for an Indian casino in Anaheim. For those interested, the story is here. http://www.miceage.com/allutz/al040105a.htm

What, are there 3 amusement rides in Las Vegas? There was a water park, but suddenly its land was too valuable to be a water park when a casino could be built there. I have this image of Magnum hiding on top of the Hotel Breakers to avoid land clearing to make way for more gaming space.

Speaking of Native American's having an unfair advantage, perhaps Cedar Point would like to start paying Overtime to the more than 4,000 workers who should be receiving it. While they're at it, they could pay for some health insurance as well, then perhaps we can discuss having an unfair advantage.*** This post was edited by CPJ 4/1/2005 11:28:56 AM ***

Rihard, April Fools! Ha Ha!! ;)

CPJ: You don't have to pay seasonals overttime, and most seasonals are college kids with health insurance from mom and dad. These aren't career people, they're people making beer money for the next school year.

As soon as McDonald's, the Gap, summer camps, etc provide health insurance for part time employees I think we can hold the criticism of the amusement park business.

Yeah, Native American are such theives!

How Ironic. How about we give them back their land that we stole, and in return they won't open Casinos to try and make a living.

I didn't do anything. I wasn't born for hundreds of years later. I'll be the first one to stand up and say that the "discovery" of America was a load of crap since people had already been living here for hundreds of years. The Europeans obliterated entire cultures when they got here. That's not what they tell you in history class, but it is what happened.

That said, we're all a part of the same society now. That's just the way it is. What happens between the Canadian and Mexican borders affects us all.

Sure, and as a business man and a taxpayer, I can understand that argument. However, based on what has taken place in the past, and how ignorant we are to these things as a society today, I'd say it is morally reprehensible of Cedar Fair to even get involved in this matter. Not to mention ill-advised for public relations. Why not let some other public-interest group take on this?
*** This post was edited by Fun 4/1/2005 10:48:35 PM ***

Special Thanks to Jeff and Wahoo for being my unwitting accomplices.

Cedar Point enjoys the numerous breaks for being a seasonal operation. Multi-state large corporate amusement park chains are not what the original law had in mind.

Native American tribes enjoy similar breaks for being non-profit. Gaming rights is not what the original law had in mind.

Both are lawful, if you fix one, fix the other. Then you'll have your level playing field.

How is Cedar Fair responsible for what happened hundreds of years ago? That's not any better than blaming me the destruction of native culture.

CPJ: Get over it... the law exempts seasonal employees because seasonal employees don't work year-round. Seasonal jobs aren't intended for people that need to feed families or get health care. No one who works seasonal jobs, jobs that require little to no skill, are doing so because they have no choice. Most amusement park seasonals, especially at the Ohio parks, enjoy what they do, and gladly take the work for the number of hours they can't get at the local mall.

Because the local mall would be required to pay overtime and health benefits.

That's because it's open year-round!

perhaps overtime, but they're not required to pay health benefits. It's a thing known as a "part time job". As for paying overtime? You don't have to pay overtime on 30 hours. Do you really think the local mall is going to let them work 80 hours a week like the amusement park business? Heck no.

Let's assume equal pay rate. 80 hours straight time = 40 hours + 20 ot. Do you think the mall is going to let them get 60 hours? Of course not. That's why they choose to go to the amusement park so that they can earn more extra spending money.

I run a year 'round organization but I don't pay my part time employees (college kids) overtime unless they average more than 25 hours a week for an extended period of time. I do, however, pay them $9.00/hr starting salary which lets me be more picky with who I hire.

When I worked at Valleyfair in 1982 I got OT after 48 hours! :-) But I think it has changed now. But people who work those jobs do it for a fun job the same reason I took the job @ VF. If I had enough money in the bank like a few hunderd thousand to put in a mutual fund yielding me $30,000 a year and own a nice 3-4 bedroom house and car free and clear I would be way more than happy to work for minimum wage at a theme park than at the freezer factory with extremely pushy and crappy working conditions even at the top wage of $14 an hour. And I have to work 5 years to get to that level and currently I make only about $12.35 an hour!