But he acts as though Foxwoods willingly moved sites. That’s where he and I disagree strongly. Foxwoods preferred the riverfront site, within a few hundred feet of people’s homes in South Philadelphia. Time after time they reiterated “it was our first choice.” The public switch came after the Mayor, the Governor, and other politicos said it’s time for them to move — that they would not allow Foxwoods to be built at that site. And why did people like the Governor, who have supported Foxwoods from the start, change their minds? Because of thousands of voters expressing their opinions — and refusing to allow Foxwoods to build on that site, even expressing their opposition, as Joe and I both support, through the channels available to them.

One reason I believe that it’s important to get the facts right, is that while Joe says he asserts our right to express our opposition, he does not acknowledge its impact in the process. Two and a half years ago when Casino-Free Philadelphia started, it was pundits who told us that there was no way we could win. We built a way out of no way by thoughtful community organizing and bringing diverse communities together.

There’s power in the people — and we’ll continue to be an example of that. More importantly, we’ll continue to oppose any casino development within the City of Brotherly Love. No casino in our neighborhoods, in the heart of the city, or wherever our quality of life will be reduced for the sake of some rich tycoons in Connecticut or Chicago.

The holdup comes from Foxwoods deciding to switch their development plans from Pennsport down on the Delaware waterfront to redeveloping the old Gallery Mall on East Market Street, which has been hailed by Mayor Nutter and Gov. Rendell as an even better plan.

Why? It brings the project into an area already developed for high traffic and tourism – with the convention center and Independence Mall within walking distance. It also replaces a car-dependent site on the waterfront with a location with huge public transportation access. Add to this the fact that, as Mayor Nutter so accurate put it – “Market Street is a dead zone at night” – it would bring people to an area that’s been struggling to build a nightlife for as far back as I can remember.

Heck, even the Friends of Independence National Historic Park support it. They’re not exactly know as a group that caves to pressure from city hall on the behalf of the almighty dollar.

And let’s not forget the unions. Philadelphia is still (I’m proud to say) a union town, and they’re going to want all of the jobs that will come from this development.

So, while Mr. Hunter is entitled to his own opinion, he’s not entitled to his own facts.

I do, though, strongly support the right of Casino-Free Philadelphia and other groups to express their opposition to this development effort. They’ve done a good job of generating media attention for themselves, and their contribution will keep the process fair. I think they’re on the wrong side of this issue, but I hope their involvement will keep all parties honest.

PS – Mr. Hunter, when it comes to my beloved hometown, you can be sure I’m reading, watching and listening to everything possible. I may be in Washington DC, but Philly is for me what Dublin was for Joyce.

Only when citizens called foul did politicians begin to switch sides and did we bring zoning issues to the surface. (Even the casinos cite us as reasons they are not building.)

We have thrown everything at casino development to bring it to a halt — including zoning, location, and the kitchen sink. If Joe was reading the newspaper, watching TVs, or talked to politicians in the city, he would know that it is citizens’ efforts that are the reason no casinos have been built.