Former Casino Opponent Says Latest Plan is ‘Model’
By Amy Yannello, Roseville Press-Tribune
ROSEVILLE – What a difference three years can make.
In 1993, Cheryl Schmit – co-founder of Stand Up For California, a grassroots group organized to place controls on unrestricted Indian gaming in California – was vehemently opposed to United Auburn Indian Community’s proposed siting of a casino in Penryn. The group, along with Placer County officials, succeeded in their opposition.
Today, Schmit cites the United Auburn tribe’s planned 200,000-square-foot gaming facility as a model for all Indian casinos.
The casino is expected to site in the Sunset Industrial Park at Industrial Boulevard and Athens Avenue, north of Roseville. "Our group doesn’t endorse gambling," Schmit said in an interview early Tuesday. "But if we can get one tribe in this state to respect the needs and concerns of it residents, it would set an (example) and provide a model for tribes throughout California and the nation."
Yet, a majority of the 11-member Woodcreek Oaks Neighborhood Association board is not convinced.
At a community forum in June, Woodcreek Oaks President Jeanine Lendl characterized the proposed project as detrimental to the quality of life neighbors now enjoy and pointed out the health risks associated with casino operations.
"We have to fight back," Lendl said, asserting that property values will drop and crime and traffic will go up should the casino site in the area.
But Schmit noted that in choosing an industrial site, the United Auburn tribe ensured its 56-acre casino and housing development would be at least two miles away from any home, school or church – a requirement in HR 1805, the failed legislation sponsored last year by Rep. John Doolittle, R-Rocklin.
"The measure failed, in large part, because the Bureau of Indian Affairs (argued) that tribes should not have to live with these types of restrictions," Schmit said. "But this tribe is voluntarily doing so. I think this shows they want to be part of the community; they want to be a good neighbor."
"Our group doesn’t endorse gambling, but we do support tribes who do everything by the book, agreeing to mitigate any negative impacts that might arise from their development."
Bob Brown, an association board member, told The Press-Tribune that he is not committed to a specific position.
"I’m not as negative about it as the other board members," Brown said. "I’m the one person on the board who doesn’t care one way or the other if it stays or goes. I frequent (casinos) and I don’t have children, so maybe I’m not as emotional about it as others.
"I think it might cause some impacts in terms of traffic, but I don’t think it will bring down any property value or increase crime. It could, actually, bring some new revenue into the area."
The tribe agreed in June to offset possible impacts on neighboring cities and Placer County, according to Sacramento attorney Howard Dickstein who represents the United Auburn Indian Community. The county may ask the tribe to contribute funds toward the hiring of additional sheriff’s personnel and/or patrol cars.
Additionally, Roseville City officials confirmed that Dickstein is working with them to address traffic impacts, fire protection and possible tourism strategies.
Schmit said the point is no longer about whether gaming is good for a city or for California.
"This is a land-acquisition issue. The focus is very narrow as to what residents can address. This doesn’t really have anything to do with whether you agree or disagree with Indian gaming.
"(The tribe) has complied with city and county codes in terms of environmental assessments and have already started working closely with cities to meet all of their concerns," Schmit said.
District 1 Supervisor Bill Santucci and County Council Tony LaBouff met with the association Tuesday night at Woodcreek High School to discuss the proposal.
Copyright © 1999, Roseville Press-Tribune
