Buellton City Council Accepts Presentation of Chumash Casino Economic Impact

The Buellton City Council heard a presentation at last Thursday’s meeting from Joe Armendariz, Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association executive director, on the association’s study of the Chumash Casino Resort’s economic impacts on the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County.

This is the same report that the County Board of Supervisors refused to accept. Seems they are so afraid of the small group of extremist tribal opponents waiting in the wings ready to throw their ever-ready fits if the board even so much as nods at the Chumash. I guess it just wasn’t worth the risk to actually learn and understand the economic impact of the one of the largest employers in the county.

Wussies…

Released in February, the study prepared by Mark Schniepp of the California Economic Forecast for the association concluded the casino generates $366 million in annual sales while creating almost 900 new jobs in the past six years.

The casino was the county’s second-fastest growing employer from 2001 to 2006. In that period, it created 871 jobs, 10 percent of all new jobs in the county, more than any other private-sector employer, according to the study. Armendariz said the association is considering a second phase of the study to examine traffic and social impacts of the casino.

But I guess that now that a precedent has been set, the board could not possibly accept that either. Even if it fit the tribal opponents agenda.

Fairs fair right ? What a shame though. These groups have been calling for this kind of study for years but now the County will not be able to accept the information if indeed the Taxpayers Association follow through with the idea. Bummer.

I hope the Taxpayers Assc. does follow through though. I think it would be of great beneifit to everyone.... everyone with common sense anyway. The more info the better... no matter where you stand on the issues.

I am very glad I live in Buellton and am proud of the City Council for having the common sense to recognize that accepting the presentation does not equate to endorsing the expansion of gambling in our valley.

Source:
http://www.syvnews.com/articles/2008/04/28/news/valley/news04.txt