There's Somethin' Happenin' Here

This is basically a commentary and I welcome all opposing views or other comments.

The more I think about it the more I believe that the driving factor behind POLO, POSY and NOMORESLOTS alarmist media campaigns is the fact that the Chumash are a sovereign state where by they have a certain self-governance and are not kept by local and state regulations. I feel these groups have used 5000 more slots, problem gambling, traffic, crime and other associated aspects of the casino to bring attention to themselves and to generate controversy and bad publicity for the Chumash because they feel that the tribe’s sovereignty is unfair. POLO actually said it in one of their emails to me.

QUOTE: “It is this federal policy that POLO is opposing. POLO does not believe it is fair to have the United States through the Bureau of Indian Affairs remove our rights to local self-governance by calling the Santa Ynez Band a separate government that is not subject to the same local regulations the rest of us must obey. Period.”

This, I beleive, is their true cause and the fact is that the terms and components of the latest amended compacts under which tribes may expand their gaming operations are changing in favor of the local governments and communities. The new compacts now in the legislature are requiring that tribes prepare an environmental impact report to assess the potential environmental effects of new and expanded gaming facilities, and detail how environmental damages will be mitigated. They also require that the tribes resolve all disputes with employees, visitors and surrounding communities through binding arbitration. California tort law will govern any personal injury or third-party property damage claims, and the tribes will provide liability coverage. Any new construction must meet or exceed the building and safety codes of both the county and the city where new construction will occur. This is also part of the “blueprint” these groups talk abut but fail to mention in any of their media hype. There is no reason to believe that if the Chumash seek expansion that they will be exempt from these requirements. In fact, because the Chumash Casino is not out in the desert where other casinos sit in wide open spaces with their own off-ramp from an 8 lane interstate freeway, the opposite would be true... the uniqueness of the valley and location of the Chumash Casino will demand very close scrutiny of expansion plans and what impacts they may have and I believe, according to the “blueprint”, that the community and local governments will play a big role in this process. They keep saying the community should educate themselves but these groups continually distort or leave out facts, and make false statements. Why?

Although casino expansion is a true issue, I believe that the root of these group’s activities lies with their displeasure with tribal sovereignty. I don’t have a problem with them having a problem with the federal policy regarding tribal sovereignty. But why not just come out and say it? Why disguise it with false alarmist propaganda. They claimed that we “only had a few weeks to speak up before 7000 slots becomes reality” where, if you know the truth, you know that it will be at least 2 years if they started negotiations now. Why would they say this?

A full page ad paid for by POLO/POSY says that the "Most Favored Nations" clause in the current Cumash compact "could give the tribe thousands of slots by default". Yet, later, in an email to me (see the POLO Chronicles) a POLO spokesperson said " No one has said that a "new" compact does not have to be negotiated. Of course it does." Huh? What? Why didnt they say that in their ad?

They are also on the “problem gambling” bandwagon. In 2001 approximately 14% of the US adult population met the criteria for alcohol /drug abuse and dependence. In comparison only 3% were found to be pathological and problem gamblers. About 75% of high school students have tried alcohol. More alarming, about 28% of teens have had a recent episode of heavy drinking. About 40% of teens have tried marijuana one or more times, while about 22% of teens currently use marijuana. About 9% of teens have tried cocaine, while 4% use it currently (one or more times in a month). Cocaine is an addictive drug. I beleive our children's health and well-being is far more of a serious concern than the 3% or so adults who are problem gamblers. Alcohol and drugs destroy many more lives and families than gambling. It kills people. So why aren’t NOMORESLOTS, POLO and POSY having emergency town hall meetings to deal with this much more destructive addiction? Why aren’t they sending petitions to stop more liquor licenses from being issued? Why aren't we seeing full page ads advocating alcohol and drug abuse awareness and education? Is it because is not related to the Chumash and their sovereign state? I believe so.

Increase in traffic is another issue they have trumped up. In a full page ad they claimed that according to a study, 1 slot = 5-12 car trips a day and that we would see 42,000 people a day coming into the valley should the Chumash have 7000 slots in operation. I have asked for the source of this study 3 times but haven’t received it. According to this formula we should be seeing 12,000 – 15,000 cars a day going in and out of the casino. Where are these cars? My Saturday afternoon ride as described in “The POLO Chronicles” indicates zero traffic congestion during prime-time. There is more congestion in Los Olivos on a Saturday afternoon than on Hwy 246 in front of the casino. How many of us have experienced the traffic congestion on Hwy 246 following a Friday night football game at the High School. How many cars are there? Less than 1000, I would think, but the cars line up all the way from the High School into Solvang. Multiply that by 10 and that is what, according to the information advertised in full-page ads by these groups, we should be seeing daily right now. Where are all the traffic jams? Like I said, I have asked to see this study 3 times and no one seems to have it.

Why are these groups disseminating this kind of misinformation? My best guess is that it is to try and create a lot of anxiety and fear among the general public and make life as miserable as they can for the Chumash. Why? That is the question. The above examples show that there is something going on here that is more than just anti-casino and anti-expansion. I believe it is that now that the Chumash have gained financial wealth and have the resources to develop their land but don’t have to abide by the same local and state regulations like the other wealthy landowners in the valley, well, it just sticks in their craw. The off-reservation acquisitions are another issue and are now being looked into. The interpretation of what exactly is considered to be “gaming activities” is the question there and may lead to litigation. As stated before, I believe tribal sovereignty is a process in the works and may be for a long, long time.

I believe most valley residents, just as I do, do not want to see three or four 20 story hotels in Santa Ynez around the reservation. They don’t want to see traffic jams on Hwy’s 154 and 246. They don’t want to see slot machines in Solvang or Buellton or across the street from the casino. And the reality is that we will not see these things. But this is the type of scenario these groups want you to believe is imminent and that if we don’t do something right now, then it will happen. The facts tell a whole different story.

These groups keep saying it’s not about the people, it’s about the ideas. If they have to keep saying this over and over and over again then they must be very close to being over that line if they haven’t already crossed it.

When the tribes were in poverty and basically in survival mode no one thought twice about what tribal sovereignty meant. Not a lot of people really cared. But now that the Indians have the financial and political muscle to flex their sovereignty, all of a sudden it’s not fair. Maybe it isn’t fair and courts right now are looking at these issues. But if these groups have a problem with this, then go to your Congressman or Congresswoman and tell them. Write the Governor. Run for Governor. Run for President.. Do something constructive instead of driving wedges between the Chumash, local governments and the community with alarmist propaganda.

Rather ironic that back in the 60’s citizen groups in the valley held barbecue dinners, car washes and fashion shows to help raise money to bring indoor plumbing to the Chumash reservation. Now we have citizen groups in the valley who view the Chumash as a threat to their way of life.

Source for Teen Alcohol and Drug Abuse stats:
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/Teen-Alcohol-and-Drug-Abuse-Facts-About-Teen-Drug-and-Alcohol-Abuse