Odds improve for possible West Michigan casino

[Glenn]

In case you don't know, Wayland/Gun Lake is approx. 1/2 way in-between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, right along US-131.

I hope this is true, the God Patrol in GR have been fighting this tooth and nail for several years now, while the Kzoo Chamber and many locals just want the jobs and additional commerce that would come along with it.

I'd love to spend some relaxing time of the weekend playing some Let It Ride.

http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/...050.xml&coll=7

Odds improve for Gun Lake tribal casino
Friday, November 3, 2006

By Chris Knape
Gazette News Service

WAYLAND -- The federal government apparently has cleared the way for a casino here, but a judge could issue an injunction to block the move while a court case continues.

The federal government has said that as of Jan. 5, it will clear the way for a casino.

That change in stance forces U.S. District Judge John Penn to decide whether to issue an injunction to halt the move pending a decision on the lawsuit.

The U.S. Interior Department's deadline is in a letter filed as part of the case challenging the government's 2005 decision to take into trust 146 acres where the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi plans to open a casino here in Allegan County.

Unless Penn issues an injunction, the move by the government would set up a sovereign nation for the tribe's casino.

Up to now, the Interior Department voluntarily had held off taking the land into trust. But with the case languishing for months in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., the department has set the deadline, forcing Penn's hand.

Michigan Gambling Opposition, the Dorr-based anti-casino group that sued in 2005 to block the government's plan to take the land into trust, will request such an injunction.

``This is nothing more than a heavy-handed legal maneuver in an attempt to force the court to take action,'' said John Helmholdt, a spokesman for MichGO and 23 Is Enough, an anti-casino lobbying group.

Tribal Treasurer John Shagonaby said the letter is a huge step toward the goal of tribal self-determination.

``What the federal government is telling MichGO in their letter is every day this drags out there is irreparable harm done to the tribe,'' Shagonaby said. ``The onus is on MichGO to convince the court that they can win. If not, this case has gone on long enough. We need resolution of it.''

U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland, said he will continue his efforts to slow or stop gambling operations. He has raised objections in the past to a drain on the local economy to a competitor that pays no state or local taxes. He also contends increased crime and gambling addictions could be troublesome secondary effects of a casino.

``I am very disappointed with the Department of Justice's announcement, which will help pave the way for the Gun Lake Tribe to build a casino in Allegan County,'' Hoekstra said. ``I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to the expansion of gambling in Michigan because of the unfair competition with legitimate business and the social problems it facilitates.''

Moving the land into trust would set up a showdown between the tribe and Michigan's governor, who must negotiate a gaming compact or risk having the federal government impose a compact that could exclude the Gun Lake casino from state revenue sharing and regulation.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Republican gubernatorial challenger Dick DeVos have said they will negotiate compacts if the only alternative is cutting the state out of the expected jackpot the casino would generate.

The tribe is planning to convert the former Ampro factory into a 163,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino and entertainment venue with card games and thousands of slot machines.

The casino, to be operated by Las Vegas-based Station Casinos, is expected to employ 1,800 people.

In a securities filing Thursday, Station President Lorenzo Fertitta said the move could speed the casino project.

``This action by the Department of the Interior is a positive development that we believe could expedite the court's decision in the lawsuit that has unduly delayed this project,'' Fertitta said.

The 304-member tribe said tens of millions of dollars the facility will generate each year will pay for education, housing, elder care, cultural preservation and other badly needed services.

[Hermy]

That would be great for me as in a couple years I plan to sell my house. It would be perfect for a couple folks working near by in the service industry. Right now every 5th house in my town is for sale.

[Glenn]

Talk about a bunch of bullshit.

Could Gun Lake Casino be forced to close shortly after opening?

[DrRay11]

^can you summarize it for me? I don't wanna read it

[Glenn]

Right wingers have been fighting the casino here for about 15 years.

About a year ago, the tribe won the right to build it, so they just about have it finished, hired hundreds of people and are set to announce the grand opening date (February) in about 45 minutes from now.

Wing nuts apparently were still fighting it and won a court decision earlier today that puts the legality of the casino back into question.

Dick in this article is gloating about trying to shut it down, seemingly very pleased with himself that they might put these people back out of work and waste the nearly $200m that was put into the project, not to mention all of the good that will come from the tax revenue generated.

[DrRay11]

christ. sigh...

[geerussell]

Dick in this article is gloating about trying to shut it down, seemingly very pleased with himself that they might put these people back out of work and waste the nearly $200m that was put into the project, not to mention all of the good that will come from the tax revenue generated.

I'm all for casinos on the general principal that it's none of the government's business if I want to gamble. I think the benefits in terms of jobs and taxes tend to get dramatically overstated though. These aren't world-class destination spots drawing in money from far and wide. They mostly just harvest cash off the locals and are mostly a wash between what they generate and what they divert from other economic activity.

[Glenn]

This place is located in a small podunk town between Grand Rapids and Kzoo. I used to live 3 minutes from the place. The locals really need these jobs (and the tax dollars) it's a cesspool of unemployment and poor schools.

It's already built and is opening in 3 weeks. It would be a disaster if they blocked this.

[Uncle Mxy]

Have the new folks in state government weighed in on this?

[Hermy]

I'm all for casinos on the general principal that it's none of the government's business if I want to gamble. I think the benefits in terms of jobs and taxes tend to get dramatically overstated though. These aren't world-class destination spots drawing in money from far and wide. They mostly just harvest cash off the locals and are mostly a wash between what they generate and what they divert from other economic activity.

Locals is relative here Russell. Grand Rapids and surrounding Kent/Ottawa county suburbs have some real wealthy folks who won't make the 1-2 hour drive to Soaring Eagle. It will provide them with a service they desire without the direct NIMBY feelings. Meanwhile the poors in towns like Martin and Hopkinsville get some folks stopping at their gas station. It will bring tips to single moms around there.