Cool Heads Need to Prevail

Roseville Press-Tribune

Over the next few weeks, much will be said about the possible siting of the proposed Maidu casino just north of Roseville. As is often the case with emotional quality-of-life issues, the likelihood that there will be some distortion of facts during the debate is great.

Located at Industrial Boulevard and Athens Avenue, the tribe’s chosen site for it’s casino and housing development would be at least two miles away from any home, school or church – requirements called for in HR 1805, the failed legislation sponsored last year by Rep. John Doolittle, R-Rocklin.

Yet leadership within the Woodcreek and Sun City Del Webb neighborhood associations have already been working behind the scenes to drum up support for their contention that gambling should not be allowed near Roseville’s boundaries, maintaining that property values will decrease and crime rates rise should the gaming facility move in.

None of these arguments, however, hold water given the realities of the situation surrounding Indian gaming in California.

Congress gave tribes the legal right to promote gambling on sovereign land on Oct. 17, 1988 through the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. A decade later, Proposition 5 was approved by a 67 percent margin in California, giving California tribes the rights to operate slot machines and other banking – or Class 3 gambling – games.

In a move that could set the precedent for compacts statewide, the tribe has voluntarily entered into negotiations with city and county officials, discussing possible agreements that would provide the area with additional police and fire personnel, as well as patrol cars. Addressing potential traffic impacts and possible tourism strategies, as well as a commitment to provide Roseville’s Maidu Interpretive Center with an annual donation of $200,000 are also being discussed.

At this point, whether gambling is good for a city or for California is no longer the issue.

City and county officials owe it to voters to place reality before emotion in this case and sign a compact.

Copyright © 1999, Roseville Press-Tribune