On August 1, 2013 The Glendale Star’s editor, Carolyn Dryer, delivered a commentary entitled Stop the waste; let Nation build resort/casino. As commentary obviously this is her position as well as that of the Glendale Star. One would expect no other position by the Glendale Star and Ms. Dryer considering that she has advocated for the position of Councilmember Alvarez (an avid supporter of the Tohono O’odham [TO]). Ms. Dryer even attended a meeting on the subject (along with other supporters) hosted by Alvarez at her home. That same meeting had as an attendee a Tohono O’odham hired consultant. I’m not sure why Ms. Dryer simply didn’t let TO Chairman Ned Norris, Jr. write her commentary – after all it is the TO party line almost word for word. She questions the motives of the plaintiffs — the City of Glendale, the State of Arizona and the Gila River Indian Community and the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community (supported by the way, by virtually every other Indian Nation in the state). She implies that all of these parties are motivated by greed. Oh really? The City of Glendale seeks to maintain local control of its land (a county island within its municipal boundaries); the State seeks to maintain the integrity of states’ rights within its own borders; and the Indian tribes seek to protect the 2002 state-wide, voter approved State Gaming Act. Blatant greed falls on the shoulders of the Tohono O’odham. Their many deceptions give testimony to their willingness to sacrifice the Gaming Act to satisfy their desire for more revenue. She then dismisses the risk to Indian gaming in this state if the Tohono O’odham prevails. It has been acknowledged by many over the years that if the TO succeed it destroys a carefully crafted state gaming compact and opens the flood gates for gaming to be sited anywhere — perhaps even near your neighborhood. Ms. Dryer then delivers what she believes is her coup de grace…job creation. Again, this is the TO party line. The Tohono O’odham have said repeatedly there will be 6,000 construction jobs. The Maryland Live! Casino is a 332,500 square foot facility (twice the size of the proposed TO casino) and anticipates creating 2,750 construction-related jobs (half that number would be approximately 1,400 jobs and reflects a much more realistic number for a TO facility much smaller). In an effort to “sell” the benefits of the TO casino the numbers have been inflated. It is a subtle form of deception, no doubt, but not unexpected. Problems throughout the country related to casino construction have surfaced. There is no guarantee by the TO that only local construction companies or workers will be used. Here is an example that demonstrates the out-of-state use of construction workers – a Press Release from a coalition of unions in California issued on January 15, 2013, “ROHNERT PARK, CA: Graton Rancheria’s (my note: a coalition of Indian tribes) promises to Sonoma County union workers have been dashed by lay-offs of local union members as out-of-area workers are being brought in to take their places. Sonoma County union construction workers report that workers are being brought in from “Nevada and the L.A. area” and even as far away as Alabama to work on the Graton Rancheria casino/hotel project in Rohnert Park. It is amazing that the supporters of the casino still don’t get it. In their lust for job creation they are willing to accept a host of problems that are the baggage that a casino brings to a community, especially one with 10,000 homes and apartments adjacent to it. The sacrifice of our community is not worth the promises made.
I have supported 99% of what the Glendale City Council has done over the years BUT I am for the Casino like more than 70% of the Glendale residents. It got off to a negative start because the council was mad they didn’t know that the TO had purchased the land! Why didn’t the staff tell you since it was such a big deal? After that the city just wasted good money fighting a losing battle. In the end if it doesn’t get built it won’t be because of Glendale but the state. It’s ok they are all around Metro Phoenix except for the west side. They should have listened to the people.
Joan,
While I respect your right to voice your opinion, I do not share it. I knew…staff knew that the land had been purchased by Rainer. However, there was no information available that could lead anyone to connect that company with the TO. As for casinos being “all around” the Metro Area that is because original reservation land surrounds much of the Metro area and casinos are required to be placed on reservation land. The west side does have reservation land on its boundaries but the TO felt that those sites were too far away from the Metro area. As for your assertion that 70% of Glendale residents support the casino, I can find a poll that says that 70% do not. Poll numbers can be skewed in either direction.
As of The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, there are no more “Indians” within the original meaning of our U.S. Constitution….only U.S./Arizona citizens with “Indian ancestry/race.” Why are national/state elected servants treating U.S./Arizona citizens with “Indian ancestry/race” differently than non-“Indian” U.S./Arizona citizens?
Solution: Elected/appointed servants provide to the citizens of Arizona the proclamation ratified by the citizens of the United States that amends our U.S. Constitution to make the health, welfare, safety and benefits distinguishable for a select group of U.S./Arizona citizens because of their “Indian ancestry/race?” NO proclamation means NO Federal/State ‘Indian’ common law! “Indian Reservations” are a hoax no one will challenge by asking the simple question: “Why are citizens with ‘Indian ancestry/race’ treated differently because of their race? Seems to me, Arizona citizens are being ‘dumb-down’ by our elected/appointed servants with fallacious logic and are getting away with it because the citizens of Arizona are gullible! The question is so simple, it is hard!