I read in the San Jose Mercury News that Oakland residents and
city council are also considering a proposal for an Indian casino
within their city. They have the same concerns as San Benito
County. However, the last sentence made me sit up and take
notice:
”
The tribe is offering to pay Oakland $30 million a year.
”
Dear Editor,
I read in the San Jose Mercury News that Oakland residents and city council are also considering a proposal for an Indian casino within their city. They have the same concerns as San Benito County. However, the last sentence made me sit up and take notice: “The tribe is offering to pay Oakland $30 million a year.”
I went online and looked up the annual governmental budgets here in our county. The city of Hollister is about $30 million and the county is about $75 million. What could our county do with $30 million a year? I would think it could offset some of the concerns that a casino may bring to our county. How about that YMCA Center, public pool, gang prevention, incentives for enticing other businesses to our area, retaining good governmental employees and attracting a more positive forward-thinking governmental staff?
A casino certainly would not be the optimal answer to all of our existing problems here in San Benito County, but I don’t see any other great ideas on the drawing board or answers from our current and new council members and supervisors. Remember, we are in the drivers seat right now! Make a wish list and make it huge – we might be surprised at what a jackpot this may bring to our county.
If our concerns and demands are not met then say “no” and say it loud and strong. To draft and/or pass resolutions before you even hear out the details is reckless and irresponsible. I have learned that with my kids – if they want some thing bad enough, I make my demands and sometimes they are met and we both are happy – other times it just isn’t worth it for them and again I am happy.
I encourage all responsible citizens to attend the public meeting taking place on Tuesday evening and hope to see all our governmental representatives there with open minds and a big list. Maybe all the wants that the high school listed in the paper could be met – sports facilities, library improvements and special education – we would all be pleased! Still have not made up my mind,
Cheri Schmidt, Hollister
