EDITORIAL COMMENT
Supervisors talk the talk, walk the other way on R.P. casino
Published: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
When it comes to the proposed mega-casino in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County supervisors certainly can talk the talk. Unfortunately, they talk the talk of opposition, but quickly turn their backs and walk the other way.
The five supervisors all claim to be opposed to the Las Vegas-style casino proposed by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Yet, they recently approved an agreement to not file a lawsuit against the tribe’s trust application for the 254-acre piece of land in Rohnert Park where it plans to build the casino. Last week, supervisors compounded this error by failing to place an advisory measure regarding the casino on the Nov. 4 ballot.
In return for the supervisors’ pledge not to sue to stop the Graton Rancheria’s trust application, the tribe agreed not to build any more casinos in the area. Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely the tribe would have ever attempted to build a second casino locally, both for economic as well as legal reasons. So the county gave away an important legal weapon in exchange for what is essentially a meaningless promise.
The decision not to put a ballot measure on the November ballot is even more troubling. True, the measure would have been only advisory. But it would have given federal officials, who have the final say on the land trust, and state officials, who must work out an agreement with the tribe for construction and operation of the casino, a clear understanding of how local residents feel about the plan.
North Bay Assemblyman Jared Huffman has proposed legislation that would require Indian casino promoters to win either local voter approval or an agreement between the tribe and local government agencies before a casino could be built. It is sound legislation that gives local communities at least some say in development that could have huge and potentially devastating consequences.
Even though legislation, as proposed, would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008, making the planned Rohnert Park casino subject to its provisions, it probably won’t be voted on in the Legislature until the end of the year. A vote in November might have carried public opinion clout with state legislators. That opportunity is lost.
Kerns says if Huffman’s legislation passes, the supervisors might consider put-ting an advisory measure on the June 2010 ballot or even calling for a special election.
But June 2010 will be too late. At the rate things are going, by then the casino agreement will be a done deal. Also, a special election would be very costly at a time when both county and state governments are counting every penny. A November advisory measure would have been much more timely and far less costly.
The Sonoma County supervisors have walked away from an opportunity to let Sonoma County residents have their say about a massive casino proposal that promises a host of devastating long-term consequences ranging from traffic gridlock on Highway 101 to increased crime, air pollution and water shortages.
When the final chapter is written on the Great Sonoma County Casino Debacle, these county supervisors will figure prominently in the ultimate surrender by having failed to let the people speak when they had the chance to do so.
