The Board of Supervisors say no to the Miwok casino project.
What a surprise! I would like to address the overwhelming
non-support for jobs this casino would bring to Hollister and the
comment that these were
”
dead-end jobs.
”
Perhaps to some they are considered dead end, but to others who
are not white-collar workers, have minimal skills and less income,
these jobs are a means to support their families.
Editor,
The Board of Supervisors say no to the Miwok casino project. What a surprise! I would like to address the overwhelming non-support for jobs this casino would bring to Hollister and the comment that these were “dead-end jobs.” Perhaps to some they are considered dead end, but to others who are not white-collar workers, have minimal skills and less income, these jobs are a means to support their families.
Who are we to take the service work from a person who may consider this job an opportunity? And why assume employees holding these positions will spend their paycheck at the casino? Furthermore, it is not anyone’s position to determine how a person spends his or her earnings.
The supervisors once again have lost sight of the economic reality we are facing. Another $2 million in cutbacks to our school district, loss of jobs and a possibility the district may go bankrupt, which means the state will intervene and take over its eight schools.
Should that occur, I believe the casino will be the least of worries. Starting with the housing market and the moratorium, when a buyer comes into a new community with children the most important is their child’s education. Our parents and communities ensured us a well-rounded education. Why take the same opportunity from our children and young adults?
Millions in revenue will be generated from this project, which can take care of the many community services such as our school district.
To the Board of Supervisors: Don’t feel you’re selling yourself short, go to California Valley Miwok Tribe and the investors. Negotiate the highest revenue Northern California has seen on a casino deal. If they want to build in our county and become our partners they will agree to fair terms.
Finally, consider the “if” factor. What if we oppose this deal and we lose out on an opportunity that would have changed the economics for our county? What if we approve this deal? We can allocate the revenue negotiated for the next 10 to 50 years into our schools, public safety and other community services.
Susie Fisher, Hollister
