County unanimous in support for casino
on November 11, 2009
MARTINEZ – The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to approve the Intergovernmental agreement between the county and the Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians.
The unanimous vote in favor of the Point Molate casino resort comes after nearly five years and $1 million of county opposition to all gambling establishments, both proposed and in operation. “We have spent more than any other public agency fighting this, “ Richmond District Supervisor John Gioia told Richmond Confidential shortly after the vote. “It was a very difficult decision.”
Diminishing revenues played a large role in the board’s volte-face. Gioia said the county needs money for health, law enforcement and other services. If the 266 acres of shoreline property are given to the Guidiville Band in trust, the tribe guarantees the county $12 million a year, with a possibility to increase that by another $10 million.
At a time when public services are being scaled back, supervisors want to reap the benefits of a possible cash cow. Moreover, they do not want a repeat of what happened with Casino San Pablo. The county’s opposition to that casino led to “zero” dollars for the county, Gioia said, while its services are being drained.
“Clearly there is a split in the community, and I respect both positions,” he said, referring to the animated public debate surrounding the construction of a large casino complex just outside Richmond; a city afflicted with “crushing unemployment,” according to supervisor Chairperson Susan Bonilla. “But I believe that the county has the most to lose if we oppose this project any longer,” Gioia said.
To those who say the county was bought, Gioia said, “It’s our job as elected officials to continually assess. We believe we can turn a project to the benefit of the community.”
Tuesday’s revised memorandum includes a new clause, which stipulates that 30 percent of all new jobs will go to Contra Costa residents outside Richmond. The City of Richmond has already signed an agreement with the tribe that 40 percent of all jobs go to Richmond residents. If costs to the county prove more that expected, it will have the right to renegotiate the contract — a clause also added this week. Furthermore, the tribe will indemnify the county for all related litigation.
The County does not have veto power over the casino project; the decision lies with the Secretary of the Interior and the City of Richmond. However, the Supervisors’ support will likely move the project forward, because the Interior Secretary considers local sentiment when deciding whether to grant trust land.
After hearing public comment for the second week running, Supervisors gave their reasons for supporting the Guidiville Band’s application for Point Molate. “I don’t see that we have a choice,” Mary Piepho said. “If this project goes forward, we will all be working together for years. While I may not be happy about this agreement, I am happy that we have preserved and protected the community.”
Responding to the charge that the county was rushing into an agreement, Supervisor Gayle Uilkema said, “this has been one of the longest, most thorough hassles this board has ever been through.”
Bonilla summed up the board’s position by saying, “to stand in the way of so many jobs is not something I want on my conscience.”
Richmond District supervisor John Gioia speaks with a constituent after the vote in favor of the Point Molate resort complex.
The motion to vote in favor of the casino was made by Supervisor Federal Glover, and seconded by Gioia.
The next step is for the Richmond City Council to decide whether to certify the Environmental Impact Review. The Interior Secretary is in the process of reviewing the tribe’s petition for the land.
For the Guidiville Band, a hard-fought battle was won Tuesday. “Having land after 160 years is something so important; it’s hard to put it in economic terms,” said tribal CEO Michael Derry.
The story so far:
Before Napa there was Winehaven (Oct. 13)
County supervisors willing to be wooed (Nov. 3)
County unanimous support for casino (Nov. 11)
Local casino opposition crumbling (Nov. 11)
The law behind gaming at Point Molate (Nov. 12)
5 Comments
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The statement by tribal CEO Michael Derry that implies that the Guidiville Band has not had land in 160 years is extremely misleading. The Band applied to the federal government and was awarded land in Mendocino County. Unfortunately, the reporter let stand that false impression. Either the reporter didn’t read the County report that documented the lack of ancestral ties of the band to Pt. Molate and that also included the information about its current holdings near Ukiah, or she bought the erroneous information that is currently being peddled. Another case of lemmingthink.
Dear Ms. Baker,
This story was primarily about the Board’s vote. The quote at the end was simply the reaction from the tribe.
We report more thoroughly on the tribe’s land and history in three other stories. We also spend more time on the opposition viewpoints in 2 other stories, all in our Changing City section.
We have not finished covering this issue. And we are dedicated to accurate coverage.
Btw, we don’t know about a county report documenting a lack of ancestral ties; please let us know more about this.
Thanks for writing,
Phoebe Fronistas
The quote included toward the end of the article from Sup. Bonilla leaves out a vital word…Bonilla talked about the “potential” jobs, i.e. “to stand in the way of so many potential jobs…” The reality is that the developer’s claim of creating as many as 17,000 is pure fiction. None of the studies that have been done (or submitted by Upstream) include any evidence or independent justification for their claims. They literally picked base numbers out of no where to then analyze and come up with their projection. Jim Levine’s original predictions back in 2005 (which can easily be verified in press articles from the time) claimed up to only 6,500 jobs…why no one from the press ever tries to verify such claims is extremely disappointing.
I am a member of the Guidiville band of pomo Indians, as a member I have been watching the progress and persistence of our tribe. I for one am proud in not only what we plan on doing for our tribe but also what we plan on contributing to the community. More information on the tribe and it’s history with point molate go to pointmolateresort.com