Penn State’s future is bright with the arrival of new President Neeli Bendapudi. Please join me in supporting the re-election of former incumbent directors Ted Brown, Barbara Doran and Bill Oldsey. The continuity of experienced and effective administrators will be valuable to Penn State’s leadership as we enter a new era in a rapidly changing world of higher education.

During their nine years on the Board, Directors Brown, Doran and Oldsey have been dedicated and committed stewards. They supported cost savings and affordability; accountability and transparency; positive relationships between city dresses; a healthy Greek system; and our longstanding culture of success with honor.

For more details on the accomplishments of these trustees, as well as information on how to get a ballot for the election of past trustees, please visit my Facebook page: Alice Pope – Penn State Trustee.

Alice Pope
Brooklyn, New York
The author is a former elected member of the Penn State Board of Trustees

Weighing Both Sides of the Casino Debate

Those of us who oppose the proposed casino at Nittany Mall have the welfare of State College and the PSU community in mind. The reasons advanced by opponents are varied, powerful and clear. They deal with potentially major crises that can and likely will emerge as a result (including gambling/alcohol/drug addiction, crime, personal financial loss, declining values ​​of nearby residential properties). They demystify the economic arguments put forward in its favour. Some speak from direct experience of working in the casino industry and describe more of the risks and dangers that come with those direct perspectives. Many cater to very narrow patronage – it does not meet the needs of the community as a whole. And our needs are great:

State College currently has very few venues for family activities. We have lots of bars, lots of clubs, but very few places for young children, teenagers, high school and college students who prefer activities that don’t revolve around alcohol.

Some point out that the developer of this venture (a major donor to the university as well as a former board member) likely does not have the well-being of our community and our university in mind. , elucidating the fact that the largest financial donor the gain will indeed be enjoyed by that same developer – not the community, not the township.

These arguments are solid and based on facts and research.

These are serious arguments from residents of every township (including College Township) who categorically oppose this plan for reasons that go beyond the personal enjoyment a casino can bring to a town, and beyond the extraordinary profits that will go to the real estate development entity.

Casino supporters cite the convenience of a nearby gambling venue (thereby reducing travel time to other area casinos), potential for job growth (yes, most new large companies have this potential), the potential to revive the now defunct Nittany Mall. (again, it doesn’t have to be a game room to accomplish this) and more.

These are hypothetical and based on personal pleasure and preference. Plus, every argument is so easily refuted with far more solid, research-backed arguments that strongly oppose this plan.

Money talks. Money also blinds. It deafens. It clouds common sense.

The moral and ethical decision is not to build a casino here at State College. The reasons are obvious. They are well founded.

If those of us who oppose this plan can muster enough visible and vocal support within our community against this plan, we can actually succeed against what now appears to us to be a Goliath of green, greedy motivation and selfish.

We may be able to silence that money roar and start working to develop the Nittany Mall real estate into a major location that will benefit our entire community.

During this time, we have asked the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Penn State administration to carefully and critically consider all arguments from both sides.

We need your voice. Advocate for the community by emailing your feedback to [email protected].

Suzanne Strauss,
College Township