The Plymouth City Council heard from Matthew Franklin, chairman of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, during the public comment portion of their agenda at Thursday’s meeting. Franklin requested a government to government meeting between the City Council and Tribal Government, and also invited them to the Tribe’s General Meeting on Saturday, May 10th at the County Fairgrounds. Across California, tribes are entering into compacts with the Governor regarding tribal gaming.  As a result, the income from the casinos is no longer going to the surrounding city but to the state and the county. Franklin asked “who then is going to protect Plymouth? At the capitol we were met with open arms…in Plymouth the tribe has been pushed away continually.” Gary Colburn, a resident of Plymouth, reminded the council that in his opinion they “were elected to represent and protect the citizens of Plymouth, and, with the current situation underway, Plymouth is left completely unprotected.” Maria Nunez-Simon also commented, saying that “people are coming in and offering assistance, and the council keeps denying it” and asked the council “to give respect to the tribe. If the Governor and Senators are listening, why aren’t you?” Direction was given to staff to bring back the item as a regularly scheduled agenda item in a future meeting.