California
Casino Proposal Finds Support
As reported by the Fresno
Bee: "A proposed $250 million casino just north
of the city of Madera won the official support Tuesday
of the county Board of Supervisors in a 4-1 vote.
"The board noted after more than two hours
of public argument that the North Fork Rancheria
of Mono Indians still must clear state and federal
hurdles before building a resort casino west of
Freeway 99 at Avenue 17.
"The lone vote against the board's support
of the 'concept' of a Las Vegas-style casino on
305 acres of mostly agricultural land just north
of the Madera Municipal Airport was District 2 Supervisor
Vern Moss of Chowchilla.
"…Former Madera County Counsel David
Prentice, now in private practice, was present as
special counsel to the board. He noted that the
federal government has final determination on tribal
land but that the board could support the concept
of the casino proposal.
"Speakers either bluntly opposed a casino
they contend would be 40 miles from the Mono ancestral
homeland or cheered the potential economic gain
for Madera. Applause erupted often among the estimated
crowd of 350, most spilling into the Madera County
Government Center hallway where a closed-circuit
television had been set up…"
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