...increasing public health and safety, and youth sports are all benefiting from gambling revenues, said Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., a Democrat. This is just one example -- of many across the U.S. -- of the benefits of gaming, experts indicate.

McDermott said spending total $2.1 million, with Optimist Park receiving the highest amount of $718,673, for the second quarter of 2007.

"The city's six district council members disclosed spending that ranged from a low of $222,146 in the 1st District to a high of $991,670 in the 4th District," said McDermott.
 
McDermott reported the news at a city council meeting, and also provided details as to which districts of the city are receiving funds.

City Council President Dan Repay said the report is a "good start" toward showing residents where each councilman and the mayor are spending the money.

"As it goes along, it will become a better report to make sure it's easier for everyone to understand," said Repay.

Repay said one problem with the report is that it does not show spending from the first quarter.

"That means those interested cannot tell which are fixed payments on projects and which may be more discretionary," said Repay.
 
A first quarter report is being prepared for release to the public so the process "can start making some sense," Repay said.

McDermott said Optimist Park has been a three-year effort, with this year being the costliest in landscaping, repaving, and fencing and developing yet another playground.

Other costs are "taken off the top" of the revenues taken in, like paying back the state for monies owed and contributing to the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority, said McDermott.

Repay said the first snapshot serves to at least give residents an idea of how expensive some projects are.

"If they want further information, they can pull the claims for each of the projects," Repay said.
 
McDermott said 80 percent to 90 percent of the revenues go toward infrastructure improvements that would otherwise be paid for by a bond.

McDermott said, "We're using the gambling tax revenues to fund good programs and improvements."

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