Time to take care of Arlington racetrack

I am not a gambler nor am I connected to the village of Arlington Heights. My concern is that I think it’s high time we take care of a neighbor that’s been good to us, and that is Arlington Park racetrack.

My first encounter with that track was when Bob Hope did a show for us Vietnam War veterans. As you may recall, we were not treated too well. My wife made me go because she got tired of my nightmares and if she tried to wake me, I came up swinging.

My point is this: After that, I was proud of what I did and the gracious host of Arlington Park. We have been to many events held there, but my wife would never bet on the ponies, only pet them.

I think if their bottom line is revenue, as it should be, we have a beautiful hotel that’s been sitting vacant for over two years, a place if they get slots and/or video poker would be open year round. What a tax savings that would be for us and no cuts in services to our village.

You have the Rolling Meadows courthouse right across the street, Route 53 right by them, a hotel that would probably be bought, and a railroad depot right there. Just imagine what a blight it would be if that park and hotel were to become vacant. Don’t we have enough foreclosures and vacant businesses?

To the nongamblers, I say this: It will go elsewhere, and if you don’t like them, don’t patronize them. We have as excellent a police department as Rolling Meadows has, and the courthouse is right across the street, so I think if your concern is undesirables, they can more than handle them.

Ron Dietz

Arlington Heights