The San Benito County Board of Supervisors has invited two
outside officials from counties with casinos to discuss the pros
and cons of Indian gaming at a public meeting Oct. 21. Meanwhile,
Gilroy city officials and regional leaders are holding an Oct. 27
meeting that is not open to the public. That meeting will be for
local leaders only, from Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister, San
Martin, San Juan Bautista and Santa Clara and San Benito
counties.
The San Benito County Board of Supervisors has invited two outside officials from counties with casinos to discuss the pros and cons of Indian gaming at a public meeting Oct. 21. Meanwhile, Gilroy city officials and regional leaders are holding an Oct. 27 meeting that is not open to the public. That meeting will be for local leaders only, from Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Hollister, San Martin, San Juan Bautista and Santa Clara and San Benito counties.
The two outside supervisors, Mike McGowan of Yolo County and Valerie Brown of Sonoma County, will represent the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) in their talk surrounding casinos’ impacts on local government.
“We’re just trying to inform people of what’s going on and what can happen,” Supervisor Bob Cruz said. “And you know what? I don’t have the answers until I listen to these people.”
The five-member California Valley band of Miwok Indians has hooked up with an investment group, Game Won, on a proposal to build a casino along Highway 25 near the Santa Clara County border.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he won’t sign a gaming compact with the tribe without local support for the proposal.
Because many local officials and residents haven’t taken a stance on the $100 million to $300 million proposal, the board turned to the CSAC for expertise.
Cruz believes the presentation at the Veterans Memorial Building will help provide just the answers people need. The two outside supervisors will present both the positive and negative impacts casino developments had on their communities.
The board sent invitations to various surrounding cities’ and counties’ boards and organizations, according to Cruz. He expects attendance at the 1:30pm meeting to be “in the hundreds.”
Hollister City Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia plans to be there. She hopes the two visiting supervisors are “up front” about casinos’ impacts.
“I think it’s important that people participate,” Valdivia said. “This is an opportunity to really find out what’s happening in the community.”
Public comment will be allowed after the presentations. For more information, call 636-4000.
Gilroy’s Planning Director Bill Faus and Mayor Al Pinheiro will attend the meeting as will Rachel Gibson, an aide for District 1 Supervisor Don Gage.
