Why doesn't Butte turn to what it know best, entertainment (Bozeman: college, casinos)

[skipast75]

Many poorer areas in the south have turned to Resort Casinos and entertainment to battle poverty. I know Butte tried, but why doesn't it fight for it even harder. Butte would be a great place for montanans to come play, and find work if it strived to be the Atlantic City of Montana. The city has a great location, a great history, and it knows how to party. Just think of the good paying Jobs! I'm from Minnesota, but if there is someone to call or write to, I'll pledge my time to see it happen. With the friendliest, most down to earth people in the northwest, I believe in Butte. I just think Butte needs to believe in itself.

[Rickers]

Why do you want to screw up Butte ? If you want that crap go to Atlantic city. Butte is just fine just the way it is. You don't even live there. Turn you own town into a freaking zoo if you want but I think Butte's future image and style is up to the people of Butte. Butte is like Wallace Idaho both towns are like mining museums. Don't come here from Minnesota and try to Californicate the place please.

[Timberwolf232]

Originally Posted by rickers

Why do you want to screw up Butte ? If you want that crap go to Atlantic city. Butte is just fine just the way it is. You don't even live there. Turn you own town into a freaking zoo if you want but I think Butte's future image and style is up to the people of Butte. Butte is like Wallace Idaho both towns are like mining museums. Don't come here from Minnesota and try to Californicate the place please.

I tried to rep you for that Rickers! CD wouldn't let me so I'll just say it here. There are tons of hidden treasures in Butte, and an Atlantic city vibe would destroy the place.

There is enough of that stuff all over the US.. Why do people try to mess up good places?

P.S. Spring is on the way, do you have your kayak ready?

[Reziac]

I do wonder what the heck Butte does nowadays for economic survival. But I don't know that Butte needs to be another Reno.

Maybe more structured "come live like a miner" type tours and vacation plans might appeal to foreigners with money who get a kick out of seeing how the other half (that's us) live. Use the city's history and the knowledge of the mining folk who still live there to keep alive what built Butte in the first place. Let people "help" operate mining equipment (wholly under the control of an experienced operator, of course) or whatever. I know "pan for gold" tours were very popular for a while for old gold-mining camps, as part of dude ranch vacation packages. Even if the tours themselves are free (like they are in Minnesota's iron mines), tourists spend dollars everywhere they go, for food, lodging, souvenirs, etc.

But it bothers me if a town has to depend on tourism for a living, because that's not sustainable if the economy isn't conducive to travel. Price of gas goes to $5/gallon again and suddenly your whole town is broke. So while increased tourism attractions can't hurt, I'd hate for Butte to be utterly dependent on it.

Remember how many prairie towns died AFTER the interstate system was built, and no one HAD to drive through every small town any more...

[mtboy]

I lived in Butte for 5 years.... its economy is great when college is in session but.....drops off dramatically when it is not except for Evil Knievil days. There is a couple larger businesses’ in town. NW energy has their headquarters there, there is MSE, the copper mine, the college and talks of building the wind turbine/blade manufacturing facility not sure where that is at?

Butte itself did lobby for the casino/resort/Reno type setup, but was shot down in the state senate/congress. I think some of the town wants it and some don't want it, it all depends on who you talk to and what they have to loose or gain. Not sure if anyone knows this, but in Butte/Silver Bow County you can already gamble 24-7, it is legal. Also there is no open container law so it kind of already a little tiny miniature baby Reno.

[Reziac]

I suspect the citizens of Butte know what's best for their town, and what they do or don't wish to have or tolerate. I haven't been there in a long long time, but I remember how hard life was after the mine shut down.

I thought the open container law was state, not local??

[mtboy]

Open container in a vehicle is state law.... open container in the streets is locally decided. Many smaller towns in the state will have no open container law for one or two days of the year such as 4th July or other small town events and outside of these days it is illegal to take drinks outside of a bar. I know in Bozeman it is a huge fine if you carry drinks into the streets. Butte on the other hand you can walk up and down the street with drink in hand and never get bothered by the police.

[Reziac]

Originally Posted by mtboy

Open container in a vehicle is state law.... open container in the streets is locally decided. Many smaller towns in the state will have no open container law for one or two days of the year such as 4th July or other small town events and outside of these days it is illegal to take drinks outside of a bar. I know in Bozeman it is a huge fine if you carry drinks into the streets. Butte on the other hand you can walk up and down the street with drink in hand and never get bothered by the police.

Ah. Not being much of a drinker, I'd never had cause to note the difference. Tho personally, I don't see that it's a big deal to drink a beer on the street, so long as you don't litter afterward. Glass containers, now, that's another thing -- too many of the inebriated tend to drop or smash 'em in the street, which probably led to those "no open container" laws in the first place.

Bozeman had some hangin' judges for DWI/open container when I lived there! Seems the tradition lives on.

[jimj]

Originally Posted by mtboy

I lived in Butte for 5 years.... its economy is great when college is in session but.....drops off dramatically when it is not except for Evil Knievil days. There is a couple larger businesses’ in town. NW energy has their headquarters there, there is MSE, the copper mine, the college and talks of building the wind turbine/blade manufacturing facility not sure where that is at?

Butte itself did lobby for the casino/resort/Reno type setup, but was shot down in the state senate/congress. I think some of the town wants it and some don't want it, it all depends on who you talk to and what they have to loose or gain. Not sure if anyone knows this, but in Butte/Silver Bow County you can already gamble 24-7, it is legal. Also there is no open container law so it kind of already a little tiny miniature baby Reno.

The reason it was shot down was the conculsion that the minute vegas style gambling is legalized in MT then the Indians would open casions outside Glacier Park and Yellowstone. Can you say Buffalo Range casino?

[Rickers]

Gambling is evil, I don't do it now, I never did and I never will. I don't have money to throw away !