Kinsey sympathetic but...
Kinsey "is very sympathetic to the historical persecution they have faced though he's not interested in supporting a casino in Marin County or Sonoma County," his aide Liza Crosse told The Light Wednesday.
Along with Kinsey, Marin Supervisor Cynthia Murray of Novato this week expressed strong opposition to the casino. With Station Casinos Inc. bankrolling the casino (in exchange for 25 percent of its take), Sarris said it could be built anywhere from Sausalito to Santa Rosa. With one of the largest amounts of open space in the tribe's traditional territory being in West Marin, Kinsey wants to draft legislation that "would be important to Marin residents should there be any talk of building a casino here," Crosse said.
New legislation would also unite counties like Sonoma and Marin in a fight against this state's loose tribal-gambling privileges, Supervisor Murray said Tuesday.
Environmental damage
"The consequences of the state and federal government denying local governments land use authority causes great fiscal, social, and environmental damage that are funded on the backs of taxpayers," Murray added.
However, whether state or federal law could be passed before ground is broken on the Graton Rancheria casino is uncertain.
"Maybe it would be too late," Crosse admitted. "That's just something we'll have to wait and see. The sooner [Kinsey] acts, the sooner we find out more. And the sooner different counties and the state start working together, the better." Sonoma County supervisors on Tuesday announced they and several other California counties will also lobby Gov. Gray Davis to force gaming tribes to adhere to state environmental standards, local health and safety issues, as well as local authorities.
A pro-gambling governor
Whether such lobbying can succeed is unknown. As governor, Davis has presided over the largest expansion of gambling in US history, legalizing slot machines, casino-style card games, on-line betting, and high-stakes card rooms. Such card rooms are the biggest revenue producers for tribes but in other states have attracted criminal activity.
Indian gambling interests in California have contributed $2 million to Davis political campaigning and spread another $121 million among other legislators.
In addition, the Graton Rancheria casino has hired attorney Doug Boxer, son of Sen. Barbara Boxer, lobbyist Darius Anderson, and former Clinton spokesman Chris Lehane as advocates. Both Boxer and Anderson own part of Kenwood Investments, the company that will help broker the land sale in Sonoma to the tribe.
Meanwhile, grassroots opposition met Tuesday night at the Novato City Council chambers. More than 60 residents, including members of the ad hoc group No Las Vegas in Northbay, spoke against building a casino in Sonoma or Marin.
Point Reyes Light Cover | News |
wonder if Bela cares about whether or not Boxer's family stands to gain millions in what is obvious a shady deal right under her nose...so much for ethics
Ain't Socialism Wunnerfull!?
wow. thanks for posting that add'l info.
disgusting display of disrespect, idiocy, and indecency -- bump