Wednesday, 30 January 2008 01:20

County Wants Input on Casino Agreement

slide8.pngAmador County is between a rock and a hard place on the matter of the proposed Buena Vista Rancheria Casino. Richard Forster, Chair of the Amador County Board of Supervisors announced yesterday that the county has reached a crossroad in its battle to keep the casino out of the county. Forster went on to say that the county has negotiated a proposed agreement with the tribe and wants to hear from county citizens on whether to approve the agreement or continue to fight the tribe in Federal court.

At a Press Conference yesterday, County Administrative Officer Terri Daly described the county’s options: Under the Intergovernmental Services Agreement with the tribe, or ISA, the tribe will be required to pay the county nearly $8 million per year for law enforcement, traffic, environmental protection, groundwater monitoring, and other services. Forster said the supervisors want to hear what residents think of the deal.

Documents on the Buena Vista Rancheria casino litigation and the ISA will be posted on the county web site at www.co.amador.ca.us. A telephone hotline has been set up for residents to comment or ask questions – that number is 257- 5099. A series of informational workshops will be held Wednesday, Feb 6, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Evelyn Bishop Hall in Ione, CA; Thursday, Feb. 7, 6:30-8:30pm: Oaks Mobile Home Park  in Buena Vista; Wednesday, Feb 13, 6:30pm-8:30pm: Plymouth City Hall; on Saturday, Feb 16, 1pm-3pm: Amador County Administration Building, Board Chambers in Jackson; Tuesday, 6:30pm-8:30pm:  Pine Grove Town Hall in Pine Grove and on Wed, Feb 20, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Amador County Administration Building in Jackson.  TSPN will be following this story closely and will air more of yesterday’s press conference at a future date.