Earlier this month, the California Valley Miwok Project endorsed
a resolution that came before the San Benito County Board of
Supervisors. This resolution, authored by Supervisor Pat Loe,
represents an important step forward in ensuring that the public
has all of the information about the proposed destination resort
and casino before they make a decision.
Dear Editor,
Earlier this month, the California Valley Miwok Project endorsed a resolution that came before the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. This resolution, authored by Supervisor Pat Loe, represents an important step forward in ensuring that the public has all of the information about the proposed destination resort and casino before they make a decision.
We have always supported an open, cooperative process that will enable us to work with county officials and the communities that would be affected by our project in a coordinated fashion. This resolution encourages such a process and we applaud Supervisor Loe for initiating this effort.
In the resolution adopted on Dec. 7, the current Board of Supervisors agreed to review information regarding the potential impacts to the county and the region and hold informational public forums to ensure that all of the community’s concerns are addressed before making a formal decision. We urge the incoming Board of Supervisors to follow this example and keep an open mind.
Supervisor Loe’s resolution accurately identified the key issues that the public needs to have addressed: traffic, air quality, water resources, sewer, and the preservation of agricultural land. We are committed to working with the community and local elected officials to help mitigate the effects of our proposed development on the surrounding area. We believe that by working closely with local elected officials we can define the necessary mitigation steps that will help to turn these concerns into some of the most important benefits that our project offers.
One important point of clarification: the California Valley Miwok Project has not submitted a proposal to San Benito County concerning a parcel of land that has been designated as a potential site to build an Indian gaming casino.
As we have said all along, this is a collaborative process – one in which we are seeking input from the community, environmental, economic and labor organizations as well as government leaders. By working together we believe we can define a proposal that will benefit all of the communities of San Benito.
How can the community be sure these benefits will be delivered? Once a proposal has been negotiated at the local level, the terms of the agreement are secured by a compact negotiated with the governor. The funding commitments and other agreements made locally are part of the compact. The funds that local cities and the county receive will be an on-going continually expanding revenue stream from the California Valley Miwok Project.
The next step in our information gathering process is determining what the development of the project might mean for residents of the county. Dr. Alan Meister is conducting a thorough economic impact study that will examine economic output, wages, jobs, new business development and public revenues at the state and local level. Dr. Meister has received national recognition for his annual studies that analyze the impact of Indian gaming on the U.S. economy.
This economic impact report won’t answer all of the questions the public has, but it will provide the community with additional information it needs to make an informed decision about the project.
Gary Ramos, project manager, California Valley Miwok Project
