Key elements of fighting casino expansion involve cohesiveness and focus, Cheryl Schmit told a group of people gathered for her presentation Monday night.

Schmit, the founder and director of "Stand Up for California," was on hand to share her knowledge of the casino industry in the state, the effect it has on surrounding communities, and suggestions of how to fight expansion with a group of about 100 people at the Porterville Veterans Memorial Building.

Appealing to the governor's desire to keep casinos out of urban areas is the best way to stop the move of Eagle Mountain Casino to Highway 190, Schmit said.

Because the land where the tribe plans to build a new casino and resort destination was not put into trust until 1994, and it's not contiguous to the reservation, the tribe must have the permission of both the governor and the secretary of the interior to build a casino there.

"The governor has said he doesn't want to allow off-reservation casinos near urban areas, and appealing to that helps him achieve his bigger wish while helping yourself get what you want," she said. "If the governor allows one off-reservation casino, it only weakens his arguments against the urban casinos."

By banding together and focusing a letter writing campaign on this issue, Schmit said the governor's office is more likely to hear the community's voice.

"Don't just write a letter today, write one every week," she said. "Let him hear your voice. Encourage your neighbors to do the same."

An example letter was handed out to the guests, but Schmit cautioned that it should not be used as a form letter.

"If every letter is the same, it will not make a difference. They will only end up in the trash," she said. "The governor needs to hear from you and what you think.

At the same time, Schmit also encouraged the crowd to work with their leaders and the leaders of the tribe to work on a local agreement. Terms of such agreements help all affected parties recognize their responsibilities during and after the project.

"I am supportive of local agreements because only through them can we develop a relationship where everyone knows their responsibilities," she said.

While Schmit said she had no specific first-hand knowledge of the proposed expansion here, she also shared a number of trends she has seen occur in other communities where similar expansions have occurred.

"The impacts come in waves, ripples," she said, explaining that first a community will experience the increases in traffic, sanitation issues and the effects on the night sky by the lights.

Later, the long-term effects will surface, she said, like the employees who were billed as a benefit will begin collecting welfare to supplement their minimum wage jobs.

At the same time as tribes are increasing traffic on public roads and the need for emergency personnel, Schmit said they are not paying taxes - not hotel, alcohol or sales tax - to help keep those roads in good shape or pay the public safety worker.

"So it ends up costing the taxpayer money ... the taxpayer is left holding the bill," she said.

In the past, Sam Cohen, legal counsel for the tribe, has said the tribe already pays local law enforcement for an officer stationed at the casino while it also has its own tribal security team.

It's common for tribes to pay a portion or all of an officer's salary, but they rarely help pay the costs associated with any arrests such as booking, incarceration or legal proceedings, Schmit said.

Throughout her presentation, Schmit also said that each casino project is completely different from others.

Following the meeting, Sam Cohen, legal counsel for the tribe, said he thought Schmit had some good points, but wished they related directly to the issues at hand with the Tule River Indian tribe's plans.

"She's a sweet lady, however she knows nothing about Porterville, Springville or the history of the Tule River Indian tribe," Cohen said. "The tribe looks forward to working with its neighbors to address their specific objections as to its plans of relocating its casino."