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In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors.
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Tribe looks for new casino site after first choice meets reistance
Saturday August 16, 2003
ROHNERT PARK, Calif. (AP) After meeting stiff community
resistance to their new casino and hotel plans, a tribe is
considering alternative sites near Rohnert Park, according to city
officials.
The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria had as their first
choice a plot near environmentally sensitive wetlands on the shores
of San Pablo Bay in Sonoma County.
Now the tribe of Coast Miwoks and Pomos and their partner,
Station Casinos from Las Vegas, is looking for other places in
which to build the proposed 200-room hotel and a casino with
19-hundred slot machines.
Though casino and tribal representatives haven't confirmed their
interest in Rohnert Park, the city's mayor is enthusiastic about
the possibility.
He feels the casino could bring cash to the city, which is going
through a budget crunch. In turn, the city is willing to extend
services like fire and police to the casino complex.
``It looks very promising for our site,'' Mayor Armando Flores
said. ``It could support our essential services and add revenue to
the city coffers. They would be our neighbors and it would be
mutually beneficial.''
Some business owners are enthusiastic as well, but others are
wandering how much the community will really profit.
``Some said if they come and leave on a bus, the casino feeds
and entertains them, and has gift shops and lodging. They wonder
what's in it for the community,'' said Chamber of Commerce chief
executive Carla Howell.
The tribe is expected to announce whether they will continue
their plans to built the casino and resort as early as next week.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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