UPDATED - The Quechan Indian Tribe didn't easily make the decision to deny a charity event's request to close the Ocean to Ocean Bridge and offered alternative locations to hold Sunset on the Bridge, according to Tribe President Mike Jackson.

  Organizers of Sunset on the Bridge were recently forced to cancel the weekend event, which would have required traffic to be stopped on Yuma's well-known bridge to allow for an evening of dining and dancing. The event, organized by Fort Yuma Rotary, was to be a fundraiser for Arizona's Children Association. The non-profit group gives aid to families and children in crisis.

  Tribe officials told the Rotary club that closing the bridge would hurt business at the tribally-owned Paradise Casino.

  But Jackson stresses that the tribe was faced with a difficult decision and did its best to work with organizers to find a compromise.

"Our tribal council took this into serious consideration. This was a hard decision for our council to make," Jackson told The Sun. "I know this fundraiser was for a good cause, but in these economic times, we lost money (at the casino) last year during the closure of the bridge."

  Jackson returned a call from The Sun on Tuesday after press time. He also talked to The Sun on Wednesday.

  "We don't like to get in the way of kids, because they need all the help they can get, especially in these economic times," the tribal president said, adding that the tribal government also bears a responsibility to helping children. "But we also have to look at our tribal nation. We have babies to feed. We have students to send to school."

  Leaders with Fort Yuma Rotary, who are scurrying to refund tickets to the event, say they understand the tribe's decision and hold no ill feelings toward the tribe for its decision.

  Jackson stressed that the tribe's generosity includes non-profit groups in Yuma.

  "We also care for a lot of people across the bridge in Yuma," he said. "We donate to a lot of charities in Yuma, like the food bank and Amberly's Place. We give back to the community of Yuma."

  The Quechan Tribe has allowed the bridge to be closed three times in the past for Sunset on the Bridge. Rotary leaders say the tribe notified event organizers on April 10 that the closure for the April 25 event would not be allowed this year. Organizers say they made their request for closure in February. Jackson countered that the request was received on March 14, say the tribe first expressed its concerns on March 27 and began offering alternatives then.

  Jackson said this year's organizers requested a longer closing period, stretching from 6 a.m. to midnight. He said the tribe suggested that the event start at noon or 1 p.m. like in past years.

  "That would be a long time for the bridge to be closed. That would be a financial loss for us more than last year," the tribal president said.

  He stressed that the tribe offered use of several tribal locations, including space at Paradise Casino, Pivot Pointe Conference Center or the tribe's new casino and resort.

  "We were trying to find middle ground and work with them," Jackson said. "I'm sorry they cancelled it. Maybe next year we can meet and discuss this sooner."