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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.

Well, in all honesty, there was really no need for teh town to do anything, if the land was purchased by the tribes and put into "Trust" - the indians could build it as long as they have a compact with the state, and nothing the town could or would do makes any difference

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.

Of course they don't. However, they are required by the compacts made with the STATE to provide or aquire certain services, infrastructure etc... So, if the town doesn't "negotiate", the services will be aquired in some other way, and the town can kiss any revenue goodbye...

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.

Maybe not through or for the town, but the compact negotiated with the state requires certain things. Also, it's in the tribe's best interest to ensure a safe environment for their patrons. Also, the roads WILL be maintained. The question is, will the town get the money, or will the county or state get it instead?

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

Well, no one forces people to patronize the casinos. WHere the money is, criminals will follow - whether its the indian casino or some other money-making venture.

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

This is, of course, false, as has been shown repeatedly on several threads.

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"

They probably either put it into trust, or made some other arrangement. I'm sure the state is aware of this, and it has been approved at all applicable levels.

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.

Well, no one says you have to patronize it, deal with it, or otherwise be involved in it. Of course, that also means that your town will refuse any money from the tribes that the compact requires that they pay, right?

First of all, thanks for your response.

I see. The tribes are planning on buying the land, so I see what you mean. I didn't understand how that worked.

Of course, if the town does nothing, the tribes don't have to help them at all, is my take on it from the information the people in favor of it have said.Well that is good news, that they have a compact with the state. But the town is negotiating with the tribes...

My comment:

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

Your answer: This is, of course, false, as has been shown repeatedly on several threads.

Thanks, I have not seen those threads, do you have a URL?

I am not trying to be contencious here, just trying to understand the situation. I know the casino has been turned down in other areas of this county, and it does bother me ant other townspeople here that this would be so close too out town. There are other casinos in this area, and it has caused problems. I am interested in the tax thing I asked above, it would be interesting to know how that works.

I am glad the state requires road work and other things to make the area safe from all the extra traffic and other things that will impact my area. Thanks