Although the location of the newly proposed site for a Miwok
casino in town is still a mystery, city leaders are weighing the
pros and cons of a casino just three miles from downtown
Hollister.
Hollister – Although the location of the newly proposed site for a Miwok casino in town is still a mystery, city leaders are weighing the pros and cons of a casino just three miles from downtown Hollister.
The California Valley Miwok tribe has hooked up with investment group Game Won in hopes of building a casino in San Benito County similar in size to Yolo County’s Cache Creek casino, which is 66,000 square feet with 1,762 slot machines. Until about seven weeks ago, Project Manager Gary Ramos said the tribe had been looking at a piece of property off of Hwy. 25 near the Santa Clara County line. However, community concerns about increased traffic on the already dangerous road led the tribe and its investors to seek a more appropriate location near the airport, Ramos said.
But with the previously proposed location on the outskirts of the county officially scrapped, local leaders find themselves wondering how the new site will affect their community.
“Just sitting here, the thought of having a casino in my back yard gives me the chills, but I want to wait and see what they have to say,” said Councilman Robert Scattini. “I’ve got to find out what they’ve got to offer. I think they’ve got a white rabbit up their sleeve and I’m wondering what they’re going to pull out.”
Councilman Doug Emerson said while he was originally against the casino, he is seeing somewhat of a silver lining in the tribe’s current plans to build just a few miles from downtown Hollister.
“As a council member, I have to represent my constituents, and when I was campaigning I heard loud and clear that they were against the casino. And there are a few things I don’t understand about the new site, one of them being that they’re going to relieve traffic on Hwy. 25, because they’re going to be moving the casino further from Hwy. 101. But I was encouraged when I heard that they were looking into supporting a second fire station and additional police,” said Emerson, who is meeting today with representatives from Game Won to review the tribe’s new plans.
Meanwhile, Councilman Brad Pike, who represents the council district that includes the airport, said he couldn’t take a stance on the new location yet, but thought it was important the people of San Benito County give it a fair chance and find out what exactly the benefits to the community might be.
“I think we need to be open to all revenue potential, as long as they’re things that aren’t going to deteriorate the community,” Pike said. “Unfortunately, people don’t put their money where their mouth is; they don’t come with the money up front. We need to work with people who will put our own interests first. I’m tired of seeing Hollister taking a back seat to everyone who comes in and takes advantage of us. The dangling the carrot in front of the horse type of thing…. I don’t support that. I want to work with somebody who puts our needs first.”
Mayor Pauline Valdivia said Tuesday she had not heard from any constituents who are concerned about the casino’s proposed proximity to Hollister, but thought she would soon.
“Nobody has approached me about it being that close, but even when it was on the Bolsa we got a lot of people concerned about the effects it would have on the community. Now that they want to put it closer I haven’t heard anything yet, but even before there were more people against it than for it,” Valdivia said.
Some local leaders are speculating the tribe may be in negotiations to purchase a plot of land off San Felipe Road owned by the Lico and Greco families. County Supervisor Reb Monaco said while he had heard the tribe was looking at the Lico and Greco site, it still wasn’t confirmed. The plot is located across from the Hollister Municipal Airport on San Felipe Road, next to the Corbin Motors building.
Ramos was not available and members owners of the Lico and Greco property could not be reached for comment Monday.
Jessica Quandt covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at jq*****@fr***********.com.
