Don’t go a way mad
… just go away! That was the message that San Benito County
delivered to the proposed Indian casino and its backers Tuesday
night at the Vet’s Hall. The other compelling message to the board
of supervisors is this: we need more jobs in San Benito County. So
it looks like the writing is on the wall
for county staff, that the supervisors need to make changes in
order to encourage the growth of businesses and industries that
create jobs and invigorate the local economy.
Don’t go a way mad … just go away! That was the message that San Benito County delivered to the proposed Indian casino and its backers Tuesday night at the Vet’s Hall. The other compelling message to the board of supervisors is this: we need more jobs in San Benito County. So it looks like the writing is on the wall for county staff, that the supervisors need to make changes in order to encourage the growth of businesses and industries that create jobs and invigorate the local economy.
There’s an old saying that goes: “The best leaders know when to follow.” The county supervisors have proven themselves effective leaders by inviting the public to weigh in on this controversial issue and they are following the advice of the majority consensus. They followed the lead of Governor Schwarzenegger when he said that Indian casinos are ripping off California. And they followed the lead of Assemblyman Simon Salinas who opposes the casino, Senator Denham who expressed his doubts and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors who wrote a letter of condemnation of the proposed project. San Benito County’s indigenous Indians, the Amah Mutsun tribe reject the Miwok reservation shopping technique and intrusion upon their sacred territory. The board of supervisors has done their homework, investigated the issue, followed the advice of their regional neighbors and drafted a resolution based on their findings. Thank you, supervisors, for doing your jobs so well and looking after the interests of your constituents. We look forward to hearing from the Hollister City Council as to their position.
Just like the Measure G strategists of the failed land-grab initiative that the majority of voters rejected last March, casino backers went out and hired out-of-town supporters to petition unsuspecting citizens for their cause. Supervisors are wise to the fact that a bought and paid for economic impact report will undoubtedly be skewed in favor of the casino. There is no need to wait for an “expert” opinion that will be custom made to order for the backers that are purchasing the report. Many people that attended the forum on Tuesday night also did their homework on the Internet. They came to the conclusion that casinos do not improve economies in counties where they exist and only tend to replace jobs from legitimate, tax-paying businesses that go bankrupt due to the unfair competition that casinos have against local restaurants, etc. We also learned that the genetic lineage of the Miwok tribe is in question and under investigation by the federal government.
So goodbye Game Won, Game Too and the central valley Miwoks. Though you promised to leave town if you weren’t welcome, we now know that you lied about that. In case you forgot which roads lead out of town, Sheriff Curtis Hill will gladly escort you.
On a softer note, a good time was had by all as Leadership San Benito County hosted its social etiquette event at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club Wednesday night. It was a truly high class affair with up-to-date reminders on how to relax and enjoy the company of friends and business acquaintances at private and public occasions. Keynote speaker Marcia Doty from Minnesota was interesting and eloquent on the do’s and don’ts of public manners. And Annette Giacommazzi led an informative discussion on appropriate attire for business and pleasure. Leadership is an acquired skill that is transforming this class of students and preparing them to meet the challenges of the future. By networking and gaining a base line knowledge of how government, business, education and citizens work together, these community leaders will work to achieve a higher quality of life in our community.
Finally, a big round of applause for superhero Larry Cain and the city of San Juan Bautista. After five years of lobbying for a grant to improve its water utility infrastructure, SJB won a $3.8 million grant. We look forward to hearing from the San Benito County Water District on the status of a $3.1 million grant to go toward the rest of the city’s water conveyance infrastructure.
