Tribe – County MUST Negotiate Deal Before Casino Expansion

POLO-POSY and company have constantly argued that our local governments and citizens are powerless when it comes to Casino expansion. They say we will have no say whatever if the Chumash decide to pursue expansion. Here is a perfect example of what will really happen should the Chumash negotiate a deal with the Governor.

For the second time in less than two weeks, Pauma Valley residents had a chance Wednesday to express their concerns over the planned expansion of Casino Pauma.

Last week, the Pauma Band of Mission Indians, which owns the casino, hosted a meeting on the project attended by about 60 residents, who said increased traffic on Highway 76 was one their main concerns. The same topic drew about 30 people Wednesday to the Pala-Pauma Sponsor Group's regular meeting.

Though many of the residents said they were frustrated over the project, Joe Chisholm, chairman of the group, said discussions could help address some of the residents' concerns. The group advises county planners on land-use matters in the area.

"Trying to work with them (the tribe) seems to get more than saying, 'no way,' " he said.

(gee, what a novel idea)

Chisholm recommended writing a letter to the county that officials could use in negotiations with the tribe. The letter would include a list of recommendations that would improve safety on nearby roads, including placing a signal at the intersection of Pauma Reservation Road and Highway 76.

Other recommendations included building a parking lot at Interstate 15 and Highway 76 with shuttles for casino employees and patrons.

The Pauma band released an environmental report last month on the project that said the facility would increase traffic on Highway 76, a rural road leading to the reservation from Interstate 15.

Chris Devers, chairman of the Pauma band, told the residents last week that his tribe would consider their comments in the environmental review process. He said after the meeting that some of the apparent frustrations may have been because of the residents' lack of familiarity with the report.

Among other things, the report recommended that the tribe help pay for improvements to ramps connecting Highway 76 to Interstate 15, improve segments of the highway and improve the highway intersection at Pauma Reservation Road.

Under an agreement with the state, the tribe is required to negotiate a deal with the county to address some of those problems before it can start construction.

In July, the county and the Pala band announced an agreement that the tribe would pay more than $38 million to improve roads near its casino east of Fallbrook.

Pala also agreed to pay among other things $200,000 a year for Sheriff's Department services, $150,000 for gambling addiction treatment and $15,000 for criminal prosecution of gambling related crime.

The Pauma band opened a temporary casino six years ago on its reservation north of Valley Center, 11 miles east of Interstate 15. The casino houses 1,090 slot machines and 22 table games.

Last year, the Pauma tribe announced it would build a $300 million casino and hotel with the help of its partners, the Mashantucket Pequots' Foxwoods Development Co.

The new casino would house up to 2,500 slot machines, 50 table games and 10 poker tables, according to the report. A 23-story hotel would include 384 rooms, 16 villa-style suites, a spa, pool and gardens.


Article:
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/2007/09/gambling_watchdog_joins_campai.html