Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released his new tribal gaming policy Wednesday, indicating he won't negotiate tribal gaming compacts for off-reservation casino development in urbanized areas, but adding he would enter negotiations for such developments in rural areas if certain criteria are met.

One criterion calls for community support for the proposed gaming project to be demonstrated, such as through a local advisory vote.

The city of Calexico will have such a vote June 7, when the electorate will be asked to answer "yes" or "no" to Measure N. If passed, the ordinance would give the city the authority to negotiate an agreement with the Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Indians regarding the development and operation of an off-reservation casino within the city.
Schwarzenegger's tribal gaming policy proclamation states he will oppose proposals for federal acquisition of lands in any urbanized area where the lands sought are to be used to conduct or facilitate gaming activities. The governor adds he will decline to enter negotiations for tribal gaming compacts where the Indian tribe doesn't have Indian lands eligible for class III gaming.

However, Schwarzenegger notes he will consider requests that would allow a tribe to conduct class III gaming on newly acquired land only if four criteria are met.

Under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act passed in 1988, the class III gaming designation denotes what is often referred to as "Las Vegas-style" gaming, meaning Indian tribes operating such casinos can offer slot machines and card games. The lower class I and class II gaming designations denote traditional Indian games of chance and bingo or bingo-style games, respectively.

The governor's four criteria that need to be met before he would enter compact negotiations are stated as follows in his proclamation:

a) The land that is sought for class III gaming is not within an urbanized area.

b) The jurisdiction in which the tribe's proposed gaming project is supports the project.

c) The tribe and the local jurisdiction demonstrate that the affected community supports the project, such as through a local advisory vote.

d) The project substantially serves a clear, independent public policy, separate and apart from any increased economic benefit or financial contribution to the state, community or the Indian tribe that may arise from gaming.

The governor includes a list of cities that as of May 18 meet the "urbanized area" definition under the state Public Resources Code. Of the 203 cities listed as being urbanized areas with populations over 100,000 residents, not one Imperial County city is listed.

Calexico City Councilman David Ouzan lauded Schwarzenegger's tribal gaming policy, noting the governor's criteria for off-reservation casino development in rural areas shows his concern for protecting the public and making sure the casinos pay their fair share for the impact they have on communities.

"Basically, it looks like he's not for the interests of the gambling business. He's looking more at an interest in the ordinary citizen. He wants to protect the community and he wants to make sure how they feel because people for all these years have been taking advantage of the system. ... If they're coming to town, I think they should pay their fair share. ...

"These people are very wealthy," said Ouzan.

Ouzan added it will be up to the voters of Calexico to decide whether development will move forward on the proposed casino development. The casino would feature 2,000 slot machines as well as a 200-room hotel and a 270,000-square-foot entertainment complex. The casino is expected to create 2,400 jobs.

"I think the people need to be informed of the pros and cons of the development of a casino before they make a decision. If the casino doesn't come to Calexico, than it might go to El Centro or one of the other cities," said Ouzan.

Councilman John Renison also lauded Schwarzenegger's gaming policy, saying it gives the City Council direction and a process to follow.

"I'm glad the governor has done what he's done. It gives us guidelines and a process to go through.

"People have to vote their conscience and ask, ‘Is the greater good served by the creation of 2,400 jobs?'" said Renison.

Renison noted Schwarzenegger's fourth criterion calls for a gaming compact where more than just the economic benefits of casino development are touted as reasons for moving forward with such projects. Renison added any casino development would have to serve the greater public good, such as through investment in public safety, infrastructure, schools and arts and culture improvements in the community.

"It has to serve the greater good. We need to keep an open mind and look at both the positive and negative," said Renison.

The potential for the creation of 2,400 jobs through the development of a casino isn't lost on councilwoman Carmen Durazo, who noted the Manzanita tribe had an informational job fair Friday in Calexico. Although resumes and applications weren't accepted at the job fair, information was given out concerning the types of jobs that would be created if Measure N were to pass and the casino development was to proceed.

"I'm for what's good for Calexico. I'm for jobs because that's one of things I ran on in my platform.

"Twenty-four hundred jobs would be a great benefit for an unskilled labor force. The casino will change the types of jobs we have to offer," said Durazo.

The mood at the job fair was festive inside the community center at 707 Dool Ave. The Manzanita tribe along with its partner, Viejas Casino, decorated the interior of the center with booths touting the different types of jobs to be created by the development of the proposed casino. Types of jobs to be available inside the new casino include marketing, security, transportation, maintenance, slots, table games, cage operations, food and beverage and administration.

Manzanita Tribal Chairman Leroy Elliott said the purpose of the informational job fair was to educate Calexico residents about casino operations and the types of jobs available at a casino.

Tribal spokesman John Elliott explained the reason the Manzanita tribe wishes to build a casino in Calexico is because the area used to be a part of the tribe's ancestral lands. John Elliott noted the Manzanita tribe used to maintain camps along the New River west of Calexico, and added both the tribe and the community of Calexico share similar economic situations.

"The ancestors of the Manzanita maintained camps along the New River so there's a connection. ... And with it being ancestral territory for our people, we didn't want to go to an area outside our ancestral homeland.

"We're in a similar situation as the community here. We have high unemployment like Calexico ... and when you think about it, it can be a win-win situation for both of our communities," said John Elliott.

Protestors with Friends and Neighbors Against Measure N were canvassing the sidewalk in front of the community center during the job fair, passing out flyers highlighting the problems that come with casino developments.

Roberto Covarrubias, 54, of Calexico was outside the center sharing the story of his 35-year-old son, Roberto Covarrubias Jr. of Las Vegas. Covarrubias said his son has a gambling addiction that has resulted in him being evicted from his dwellings three times in the past 10 years he has lived in Las Vegas. Covarrubbias added his son has five children.

"I'm against Measure N. I believe it's something bad for the community. ... My son can't even afford to pay the rent. How's he ever going to buy a house?" said Covarrubias.

Even though his son makes $24 an hour in Las Vegas working construction, Covarrubias explained his son had a better life in Imperial County making $8 an hour because there was no easy access to gambling.

Bob Sager, 59, of El Centro, station manager with KGBA Christian radio, also was outside the community center voicing his opposition to Measure N.

"I think the biggest problem we have with the gambling is that it really corrupts the government. Anywhere that you see casinos you see the corruption comes right into the government. ... I just believe that you'll see a lot of corruption come in with gambling, and a lot of pathological gambling right along with that ... Crime is going to be an issue. We see an increase in crime anywhere around a casino," said Sager.

Mary Rangel-Ortega of Calexico was canvassing outside the center to voice her opposition against Measure N.

"We're here protecting the future of our youth. We don't want to create an environment where children are going to think it's OK to gamble, and they don't have to go to school, and they don't have to obtain higher education," said Rangel-Ortega.

>> Staff Writer Michael A. Salorio can be reached at 357-7336 or michaelsalorio@yahoo.com