[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, I am of two minds about casinos - and, I think you'll find that many indians feel the same, so allow me to explain.

As a "Christianized" indian, I dislike the idea of gambling. I don't think it's a healthy activity for people. However, the money is normally earmarked for roads, schools, water, sewer, electricity and other general improvements of the reservations...

So, while I personally disagree with casinos and gambling in general, I think they are a good vehicle for my people to stimulate reservation economies, allowing them to branch out into other endeavors...

But, we will see.

[Syncro]

Well here in my area, the town council has taken money in their back pockets, and passed a resolution to allow a casino on the edge of town. Most if the townspeople are against it.

The Casino people do not have to promise the town anything, so they negociate with them to supply services to the city...ie 1.3M for the cops, etc.

But if the city does not negociate, the Casino people do not have to do ANYTHING for the city...to fight the crime that comes with casinos, the roads that need to be improved and the other concerns.

Another point is that the other casinos in the area are inundated with crime...shootings, grafting etc.

Of course they don't have to pay taxes or anything like that because they are "soverign"

Now I dont't know how they make this work, but they don't own the land were they want to build their casino. I don't know how they work that, do they just buy it and declare it their "reservation"

Just asking...we are a town of 40,000 or so that don't want the extra "benifits" of a casino on the outskirts of our town.

BTW,my Father claimed to be 1/3 Indian...