Vote No on grungy 'Grange'

This is not a casino. It's a Grange hall.

The first ad for "The Grange" talked about all the jobs it would bring to Oregon and all the money it would pay for schools.

The ad barely mentioned that "The Grange" hopes to be, pending voter approval, the first non-Indian casino in the state.

First off, how in the heck did they get away with stealing the name "The Grange?"

As stated on the The National Grange website, "The Grange, is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture. Founded in 1867, the Grange was formed as a national organization with a local focus. Our members are given the opportunity to learn and grow to their full potential as citizens and leaders."

Grange halls still dot the rural landscape across Oregon. My wife and I celebrated our first snowy Thanksgiving here in 1985 at the Grange hall east of town.

"The Grange," however is a gambling mecca to be built in the Portland area, the most urbanized area in the state.

"The Grange" stands for everything that the real Grange is not.

"The Grange" is anti-family and anti-community. It takes money from the gullible and ships it to its underworld backers either here or abroad. The jobs it will provide are minimum wage and dead-enders.

Another ad from backers of "The Grange," claim that it will be the first casino in Oregon to pay taxes and that 25 percent of the gross profits will go to schools, police and other social services.

What a laugher.

You can be sure "The Grange" will never show a gross profit and will never pay any taxes to the state for anything.

That last thing this state needs is another casino.

It certainly does not need "The Grange."

Vote No on Measures 82 and 83.