e-Claire

RP Residents on the Warpath

After filing to recall the entire City Council for even discussing an Indian Casino, residents of Rodent Part Rhonert Park are enumerating multiple reasons to resist. In 2000 CA voters passed Proposition 1A giving CA Indians the right to operate casinos on tribal land. There are currently several casinos operating in northern CA on land that is a tribal reservation. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria wants to buy land on which to place its casino. For the casino to be legal in CA, the Feds must accept the land bought by the tribe into a trust as a reservation, which they are obligated to do under current law. Aside from the same, lame arguments against gambling ["right here in River City"] opponents have cited the falling water table in the area as sufficient cause for concern. Apparently RP is already under a court restriction, arising from a suit brought by a neighboring community, to halt growth due to the lack of available ground water. Other worries include the influx of Las Vegas style development riding on the backs of local Indian tribes. The Graton tribe is partnered with Station Casinos Inc., a Las Vegas-based company.

"I believe that we don't have an option, that the rights of the tribe trump the rights of the local government," [RP] Councilwoman Vicki Vidak-Martinez said. "Stopping an Indian casino is like trying to hit a Randy Johnson fastball with a wet noodle," [County] Supervisor Paul Kelley said, explaining why he is willing to negotiate with the tribe even though he doesn't want a casino. [Kelley was always a quick one with a simile... ]

Is this yet another case of "shoot self in foot with white guilt?"

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced legislation that would prevent the tribe from automatically making any land it wants part of its reservation The legislation would give local governments leverage to fight a casino project.

Great. Just who I would most like to be rescued by . . . Well, even a blind pig gets lucky sometimes. Thanks, Di.

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