David Vincent, WLOX...

This morning at 6:30am on WLOX' Good Morning Mississippi, General Manager David Vincent delivered an editorial directed to Mr. Kenneth Feinberg and the GCCF regarding the systematic denial of "casino" claims.  This was a very powerful and positive statement on behalf of all of us in South Mississippi.  We have asked permission to print a transcript and present it with future interim or final claims.   

Casino workers claims should not be denied

Updated: Dec 02, 2010 6:04 AM CST

We hope Kenneth Feinberg who is administering some $20 billion in BP oil claims will take a hard look at the casino workers in South Mississippi. The casino workers are a big part of our tourist industry. There are thousands of them working in the coast's 11 casinos. Many of them work as dealers or work in one of the many casino restaurants.

So when the oil spill news made national headlines and coast tourism took a big drop last summer, the paychecks of many of these workers dropped as well. A lot of casino employees depend on tips to help round out their income. If there are fewer tourists coming to the coast, it would stand to reason that the tips would decrease as well.

Claims should not be systemically denied just because someone works at a casino. If a casino employee can show their income has dropped this year, then we believe they should be considered for some payment.

This is not about greed or trying to get something for nothing. These are legitimate claims being made by thousands of Gulf Coast families that are trying to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. Everyone who has been impacted by the oil spill should be eligible to receive some compensation. To leave an entire group out of the process is just not right.

That's our opinion, we would like to hear yours. Email your thoughts to editorials@wlox.com, or post your comments below.

David Vincent
WLOX-TV General Manager

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