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FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, MI – Dozens of people spoke their opinions Thursday about a casino proposed for the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack in Fruitport Township.

The hearing Thursday, Oct. 15 was held by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians – which already operates one casino in Manistee -- has proposed to take into trust 60 acres on the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack in Fruitport Township to build a $180 million casino development. The comments were gathered to determine the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement – part of the lengthy application process.

The 650-seat auditorium at Fruitport Middle School was packed to standing-room only during the event, as people listened and waited in line to speak. Over the next two and a half hours, they wore out the batteries in the microphones.

Here are some themes that emerged from a night full of talk about a controversial topic for West Michigan:

1. It's about the economy. Outside the auditorium Thursday night, attendees were greeted by a sign-wielding casino supporter, James "Jimbo" Loyselle. He said he was a pipefitter by trade who hoped to help build the casino one day. "We believe it's going to be good for the future of Muskegon and Fruitport," he said. "We built the one in Manistee," he added.

The tribe has estimated the casino and hotel would directly employ about 1,200 people, and the economy was the casino supporters' biggest theme Thursday night. Muskegon's stale economy and the jobs a casino would bring were repeatedly mentioned by tribal members, businessmen and local elected officials.

"The paper mill is gone," said Machele Gibbs, a tribal member and Muskegon resident. "We do need some jobs here. I think it would be a good opportunity."

Jonathan Pittman, general manager of The Lakes Mall in Fruitport Township, said an influx of customers to the casino would have a positive effect on the mall as well.

2. There will be a moral cost. Several people touched on concerns that a casino would enable troubled gamblers and make the problem of gambling worse. Two men affiliated with the Muskegon Rescue Mission said they worked with clients who had gambling addictions.

Pastor Casey Arnouts said he was in favor of economic development in general but felt he had to go on the record against the casino.

"There is a social cost. ... The problem of gambling is an actual one," he said. He compared troubled gamblers to smoke emitted by a factory. "There is an inevitable byproduct. They don't billow into the sky, but they are real."

West Michigan resident Scott Lewis said he also was opposed to the casino. "For every casino, there are many, many, losses," he said. "I cannot support gambling because people lose. They lose more than we want to admit."

3. Gambling is fun and casinos don't cause addictions. A few people scattered throughout the night talked about the fun they had gambling.

Egelston Township's Lunata Carrier said she was a Christian but enjoyed gambling, even joking that gambling's therapeutic effects were a lot cheaper than $150-an-hour counseling.

Roosevelt Park City Councilman Andy O'Riley said that temptations don't cause addictions, and a casino wouldn't cause gambling addictions.

"I'm a 13-year sober alcoholic, and there's a beer store on every corner," he said.

4. Don't forget the roads. Several people brought up issues with the roads in the area. Current roads in the intersection aren't able to handle the expected influx of customers, they said. Little River Band Ogema leader Larry Romanelli said after the meeting the tribe was working on the problem.

On the plus side, others said the casino development would be a welcome addition, even an anchor, to economic development on Harvey Street corridor – supposed to be an economic conduit through that part of Muskegon County.

"Harvey Street will be a lot better place to drive," said Fruitport Public Schools board member Steve Keglovitz.

5. Governmental support. The casino got an endorsement from many elected officials, including State Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright and the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners.

"Muskegon County has been one of the hardest-hit areas in the country during the economic downturn," said Fruitport Township Supervisor Brian Werschem. "This entertainment facility is only one piece, but will be a large corner piece, of the economic redevelopment puzzle that is Muskegon County."

Gary Nelund – mayor of neighboring Norton Shores – said for every job created at the casino, as many as three others will be created by a "ripple effect" of more visitors and tourism to the area.