California
County, Tribe in Casino Talks
As reported by the Central Valley
Record: "Talks that start Friday between
Amador County and a tiny tribe that wants to
build a casino between Valley Springs and Ione
are the first under the compact for tribal casinos
that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed in 2004.
"The stakes
are huge: wealth for the mother and her children
who make up the tribe versus the traffic, crime,
noise and other headaches projected to come
with 2,000 slot machines and 80 gambling tables.
"The
talks are Amador County's chance to get enough
money to pay for the roads, sheriff's deputies
and other services required if the Flying Cloud
casino is built.
"Schwarzenegger's
compacts with California Indian tribes require
them to work out a government service agreement
with local authorities before the state will
sign off on a casino. If the tribe and county
don't strike a deal within 55 days, then either
side can call for binding arbitration.
"The
arbitrator would choose between the proposals
offered by the tribe and the county.
"Depending
on the negotiations and the arbitrator's decision,
that could stick Amador County taxpayers with
millions in costs to support a casino many of
them don't want…"
|
