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Vancouver Officials Led by Mayor Royce Pollard Discuss Tribal Casino Plans

On April 30, 2007, Vancouver officials called a news conference to discuss the gambling casino project. Mayor Royce Pollard and the city council attended the event in the council chambers of city hall. Cable Channel 23 provided television coverage. The city council has not held any press conference on the $510 million casino facility which will be built in the 152 acre land west of La Center.

But with the council holding a news conference and not a work conference, it seems that the city council has discussed the matter in a closed door meeting. Washington regulations allowed a member of the city council to privately discuss a number of things like litigation.

Before the 2006 election, a question was administered to the 4 council members who were running for re-election on the casino issue. Both Pollard and Councilwoman Jeanne Harris declined to take a positive or negative position. Two other members of the council, Pat Jollota and Jeanne Stewart commented that they are not in favor of the tribe's casino plans.

City officials submitted negative responses, duly signed by City Manager Pat McDonnell that plants doubt regarding the veracity of the federal casino studies that have been conducted. Just last week, McDonnell signed another letter stating that the current business plan exaggerates the needs by the Cowlitz Tribe.

The business plan stated that the tribe needs around $113.6 million for important needs like health care, housing, education and other important tribal needs. A study conducted reported that a possible casino site near Vader located in Lewis County would not produce enough cash for the tribe's 3,544 members.

The Federal Government commented that Vancouver needs to review other sites located north of the Clark County. Officials said that this study will result in decreasing the need to build a Las Vegas style casino facility.

A smaller casino facility located outside of the Clark County in an area closer to the tribal community and more familiar with the history of the Cowlitz ancestral home will be enough to meet the needs of the community.

 

Sunday, May 13 , 2007
Gerald Kernighan