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Meetings show many opposed to casino

Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:01 AM PDT

By Thacher Schmid

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The majority of more than 400 people who attended public hearings on Clark County's efforts to reach a new agreement with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe were opposed to the tribe's $510 million casino development near La Center, the county's top official said Tuesday.

A tribal spokesman and a leader of a casino opposition group each characterized the hearings as positive. The three events took place April 7 in La Center, April 10 in Battle Ground and Tuesday in Vancouver. More than 200 attended the La Center meeting alone, said county policy analyst Troy Rayburn.

Betty Sue Morris, chairwoman of the board of commissioners, said commissioners will meet with county lawyers to determine their next move. She said lawyers would likely renegotiate certain provisions of the 2004 agreement that was thrown out by a state hearings board, largely because the county did not include enough public participation.

"I think that the majority of the testimony throughout the three (hearings) opposed the casino, and they opposed the casino for moral reasons," Morris said. "Some for transportation reasons, some for environmental reasons, but we heard, repeatedly, moral reasons like gambling and gambling addiction, we heard a lot of that."

Last week Clark County commissioners passed a resolution opposing gambling — which did not name the Cowlitz Indian tribe or its proposed casino, now under review in Washington, D.C. The county is appealing the overturning of its 2004 contract with the tribe, even as it considers a new contract with the tribe.

Morris said she sees no contradiction between that resolution and a new county-tribe agreement. Clark County has long opposed gambling by any group, she said, and the county-tribe agreement is broader than just gambling.

"Suppose they come in with a water park like the one in Thurston County, what good does the (tribe's) gaming ordinance do us then," Morris asked. "The (agreement) applies to any development that goes in there."

"The opposition has purposely confused the two, that the (agreement) relates to gambling, and that the (agreement) enables gambling, and that's not the case."

In January, the tribe passed an "irrevocable" tribal ordinance intended to replace the now-invalid agreement, which dealt with transportation, building codes, law enforcement and safety issues.

"We're willing to discuss issues on a government-to-government basis, we're open to discussion," said Phil Harju, the tribe's spokesman for casino issues. Harju said it was "very gratifying" to see large numbers of casino supporters and union members who came out to support the tribe's proposed development.

Tom Hunt said his opposition group Citizens Against Reservation Shopping counted 71 percent of speakers against the casino.

"These were just folks coming to give their suggestions, and the suggestions were two: One, thanks for opposing the casino, and two, please do not negotiate a new (agreement)," Hunt said.

The tribe's agreement with Clark County was its only agreement with a local government. La Center, Vancouver and Woodland have passed resolutions opposing the casino.

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news 2 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:53 AM:

" Why doesn't the Cowlitz Tribe keep the money in Cowlitz County? or change their name to the Clark Tribe? "

I support it too wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:08 AM:

" I would have been there - in fact SEVERAL I know - would have been there in support if we'd known of the meeting and that you wanted supporters there. I think you'd find more people supporting it than not... "

Best Use wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:11 AM:

" Most citizens of Clark County do not feel strongly about the issue one way or the other. What they do feel strongly about are jobs, security, family, freedom, education and a host of other similar issues. CARS and the Columbian keep trying to whip up public sentiment to defend the status quo. That they succeeded in mobilizing 71% of 400 people out of a population of 418,070 exposes just how little support they have. CARS says the tribe should build an plush office park for the well heeled professionals, many of whom only recently moved to the area. Others even suggested building a factory like the Mississippi Choctaw's have, which might employee a few hundred and produce industrial waste. What the Cowlitz propose is a resort that would create thousands of jobs for working families, natives of Clark County, White, Black, Asian, Latin and, yes, American Indian. It would create thousands of jobs, spin off thousands more, and could attract tourists from around the world to come to Clark County. You would think that a clean, green business that creates thousands of jobs and brings in money from around the world should be a no-brainer. The citizens of Clark County are smart, they get this, which is why most of them ignored the public hearings and stayed home. "

Tex from Cougar wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:07 AM:

" Gambling is the scourge of this country! You build this place, and you'll have the Mafia come in. Not far behind, you'll have drugs, drinking and prositution. Is this what we really want in this community? I think not! Building this place will lead to so many problems. Do we really want our local economy subsidized by "sin money?" I hope that this community has enough sense to strand up for what is right and urge the local leaders that we don't want this in our community. The meth scourge and peodophilia is a be enough problem around here. We don't need to build this big "Sin magnet" in the middle of this community to draw all the perverts and creeps from all over to come in to our area. "

Jackie wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:02 AM:

" I am opposed to the Casino being located in Clark county too. They don't deserve it. They are don't know a good thing when they see it. Please locate the casino in Kelso where it will be welcome. "

It's here already wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Tex from Cougar, This might be news to you but it's not to the rest of us. Drugs, Drinking and Prostitution are here already. The Casino is as good as here already. Look at the record of approvals and a betting person or a smart person would conclude the Casino is coming and the hold up is in the Feds clogged system not because of a few holier-than-thou souls who want to tell us how to live and not because of the Columbian newspaper and the Vancouver City Dads who can see the City-owned Hilton going down the drain when the Casino hotel and convention center come in.

Less than one percent of the county is on record as opposing the casino. Best Use has it right.

this is shaping up to be the biggest victory for the Native Americans since the Little Big Horn and just as Custer had it coming so do Clark Co. CARS, Woodland and LaCenter. "

Jackie wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:28 AM:

" Ok you Cowlitz County residences. Now is the time for action. We need to convince the Cowlitz tribe that were serious about getting the casino located here. So this is where to start.

Call Cowlitz Indian Tribe at 577-8140, Ask for someone involved the casino project. Tell them to come to Cowlitz County.

Kelso city Mayor's: 423-1719.
Longview City Mayor: 422-5000.
Contact Cowlitz County commissioners: 577-3020.
Kelso/Longview Chamber of Commerce at 423.8400

You will likely hear reasons for not doing it like the money already spent, But stick with it. Persistence will pay off. Keep calling. Print these phone numbers off and tell your friends and have them call. Can you imagine what that many jobs would do for our community? "

Real Hoopa wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:39 AM:

" We should open the state to all Gambling, let the Big Boys from Nevada set up casinos too. Level the playing field, Good luck to all(even Posers, and Pretenders). "

Wash-Vegas wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:47 AM:

" If you build it they will come,be careful I heard Las Vegas is laying off workers.Revenue,jobs,tourists all things we need.The United States is able to rebound and we can make it happen.Native Americans are trying to help,help them and we all will benefit. "

wb wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:01 PM:

" I have been to the gabling casinos of la Center on many occasion's looking to verify that a prostitute could be found. Could someone please point on out for me? The drugs and sex excuse was used to chase the card rooms out of Woodland into LaCenter 20 years ago. Woodland missed out on millions of dollars, Nice restaurants and one dollar beers. The Cowlitz has proposed to build a huge tourist attraction next door for free And our city leaders oppose it after screaming for decades to have such a tourist draw in the area. I cannot understand their reasoning. I for one voted against the city leaders that endorsed their proclamation "

Friend of the Cowlitz wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:07 PM:

" The Tribe can put their Casino on any land in SW Washington. Their ancestors have been here since the beginning of mankind. You are in need of a history lesson if you think the Cowlitz only resided in this trumped up county. We did not name the Cowlitz River, the Tribe did eons ago. We are just visitors, and the Cowlitz deserve a large reservation so that they can reconnect with their traditions and customs. Revenue from a casino is the best way to accomplish this. As of now, the Cowlitz is not a rich tribe at all! "

Hoopa wrote on Apr 17, 2008 1:37 PM:

" No ones ancestors "have been here" since the beginning of mankind, Someones GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT GREAT Grandparents lived here a long time ago.. They are now dead. Everyones ancestors lived in the Garden of Eden, or Alduvi Gorge, a long long long time ago. A better way to reconnect with traditions, and customs, is move out of the house to the back yard, turn off the electricity, and truly be what you say you are. "

Internets wrote on Apr 17, 2008 3:07 PM:

" Good point Hoopa. Let's look at what you had to say:

"No ones ancestors "have been here" since the beginning of mankind."

"Everyones ancestors lived in the Garden of Eden, or Alduvi Gorge..."

How many fallacies are you going to use? "

El Gabilon wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:36 PM:

" There's a sucker born every minute so the old saying goes. Casinos whether owned and operated by Indians or not favor the owners, not the users. The same applies to the lotteries. The wisdom of Benjamin Franklin should be applied by all who would use or use these businesses. "A penny saved, is a penny got" or to remember "fools and their money are soon parted". With the lottery, even if you win almost 50% will go to taxes...just another way to pick a mans pocket. "

Sick of TEX wrote on Apr 17, 2008 4:50 PM:

" I am so tired of your distasteful comments about things you know little about. I have been around many of the Native American Casinos and found little of what you claim will happen going on there. I lived in Nevada for a time and the robbery and rape rates were lower there than they are here, yet they have brothels... go figure. I think you need to get some more education so that you can give informed feedback and not the garbage to spew out all the time. Go back under the rock you crawled out from. This would be a good thing, like at the vacant lot down by the Kelso/Longview wye... I would support that. CR homeowner. "

re Sick of TEX wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:56 PM:

" THANK YOU - ! Tex needs to stay in Cougar, where his type of thought apparently belongs. Are you really a total freak Tex, or do you just post this crap to have a little fun? Tell us the truth please... or at least let us know you have enrolled in kindygarten. "

magnetized wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:27 PM:

" "sin magnet" I love it! best tex quote yet-i will so use that! "

Ben Dover wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:10 PM:

" these must be the same people that don't want Wal mart in woodland. i say go to where the devil lives and don't come back. I WANT WALLY WORLD and the CASINO and so do the rest of the normal people in this area, not just the ones i am referring to. "

why???????/ wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:32 AM:

" i don't understand why the cowlitz tribe won't listen to the people of clark county and start listening to the people of cowlitz county and build the dang casino here in cowlitz county where it belongs. after all we have alot of people out of work and this would help so many people get employment. clark county sucks..so why put a beautiful casino there...hey tex walk downtown vancouver by the bus station and you will see prostitutes and drugs it's everywhere.....anyways i say COWLITZ TRIBE KEEP THE CASINO WHERE IT BELONGS AND IS WELCOMED. there are plenty of places in cowlitz county for it.....i still think the old oaks trailer court is a start........ "

TOM THE MAN wrote on Apr 18, 2008 8:21 AM:

" Hey Y'all -
The land parcel doesn't even belong to the Cowlitz tribe - it's owned by Mr. Barnett along with the Mohegan tribe form back east. You get the picture here?? It's not about the good of the Cowlitz, it's about big bucks for Barnett and Company. The tribe thing is just a race card so he can make it happen for him. Sure, a token amount of dollars will be thrown to the tribe as fodder, just to make it look good. But check out the percentage of revenue that will go to the Mohegans for their financial help. Won't even stay here in Washington. "

Jack Mehoff wrote on Apr 18, 2008 9:11 AM:

" It all favors the casino?...that argument doesn't hold water for the people who gain ENTERTAINMENT from their experience at a casino. Just as someone who pays for a concert...they don't come back with money. You don't come home with money when you go to a restaurant. When people go to a casino, they are purchasing entertainment. It just so happens that every now and then you get to take some money back home with you. I'm sorry that you don't value that as entertainment, but others do. Some people spend their money on paintballs and I think that's rediculous. There are scores of other things, as I'm sure you can come up with because you all seem so opposed to something you apparently wouldn't do...or then again, could it be you PROTEST TOO MUCH???? Are you the problem???? "

Dirty Sanchez wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:37 PM:

" Let 'em build their casino. If you don't like it, don't go. "

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