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Stand Up For California
Dec. 7, 2011 For Immediate Release Local Elected Officials, Community Groups Host Town Hall to Voice Opposition to Proposed Off-Reservation Gaming Facility
Stand Up For California!
“Citizens making a difference”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cheryl Schmit
December 7, 2011 (916) 847-2114 or 916-663-3207
Local Elected Officials, Community Groups Host Town Hall to Voice Opposition to Proposed Off-Reservation Gaming Facility
Wheatland, Calif. - Citizens for a Better Way and Stand Up For California! hosted a town hall meeting in Wheatland on December 7 at 7 p.m. for Yuba County residents voicing joint opposition to the proposed off-reservation gaming facility by the Enterprise Rancheria.
This casino has seen opposition from U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Yuba County Supervisor Roger Abe and Sutter County Supervisor James Gallagher, and other local and statewide community groups. The Enterprise Rancheria off-reservation casino proposal is one of two recent positive determinations by the U.S. Department of the Interior despite strong community opposition. The second off-reservation casino located in Madera County, is also strongly opposed by Senator Feinstein, Stand Up for California! and many local community groups.
The U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Interior astonishingly determined that the Wheatland casino is beneficial to the tribe and “not detrimental to the surrounding community.” Yuba County Supervisor Roger Abe expressed serious concern over the fact that, “the Secretary made this determination without consideration and input from the local residents, moreover, without consideration of the countywide negative vote of 52% in opposition to the proposed off reservation casino and 59% opposition in Wheatland, the area directly affected by the proposed off reservation casino.”
“Off-reservation casinos are in direct violation of the promises made to voters that Indian gaming would remain on Indian lands,” said Sutter County Supervisor James Gallagher. “If off-reservation gaming is allowed, a dangerous precedent will be set. The Enterprise Tribe’s proposal in Wheatland is a perfect example of reservation shopping that fails to address the impacts to our local communities.”
Off-reservation gaming has seen growing opposition from elected officials, community organizations and even tribes themselves. There are many additional pendingapplications by California tribes to acquire non-tribal lands throughout the State for the purposes of building off-reservation casinos.
“I strongly oppose off-reservation gaming as these proposals will most likely have a negative impact on the environment, air quality, noise levels, local agriculture, community planning and quality of life,” said Sandra Gilbert, spokesperson for Citizens for a Better Way. “U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein joins me in opposition, in addition to a vast list of other elected officials, community organizations and tribes in California.”
Stand Up For California!, Executive Director Cheryl Schmit explains that, “the fate of the casinos already approved by the Department of Interior rests in the hands of Governor Jerry Brown, as off-reservation sites must pass through what is called a ‘two-part determination.’ Although the federal government has mistakenly opened the doors for these casinos, Governor Jerry Brown has the chance to reject the proposals, keeping in line with what California voters agreed to when they passed Propositions 1A and 5 allowing tribal gaming to take place only on existingIndian lands.”
Anyone opposed to the off-reservation gaming facilities by the Enterprise Rancheria in Yuba County or the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians in Madera County is encouraged to contact the Governor, asking him to not concur with the proposals as they set a dangerous precedent statewide. Stand Up for California! is a statewide organization with a focus on gambling issues including tribal gaming, card clubs, horse racing, charitable gaming and the state lottery. For more, information about the organization, visit www.standupca.org. For more information about the proposed off-reservation casinos, visit www.NoOffReservationCasino.com.
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