Sour economy aids anti-casino battle

<p>This week’s pronouncement that the country is in a recession has merely formalized an obviously grim economic situation here in Sonoma County that shows little signs of improving anytime soon.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>But a small silver lining may have appeared, at least for south county residents concerned about the looming threat of a giant casino planned in Rohnert Park.</p><p>Station Casinos, the big Las Vegas corporation that is bankrolling the proposed casino complex in Rohnert Park, is in deep financial trouble and facing possible bankruptcy.</p><p>While valiant efforts by casino opponents were unable to slow the project’s momentum, it now appears an economic recession could delay the project for several years. </p><p>If Station Casinos is forced to drop out, then the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria would have to find another partner. And that would mean the environmental review process would have to start over. It would be at least a few years before the project could get back on track.</p><p>But more importantly, this delay could allow time for county voters to state whether they support or oppose the casino. That is, of course, if county supervisors will let the public speak on this hugely important matter. </p><p>The possibility of a county-wide advisory measure on the ballot next year looks more likely following the recent election. Earlier this year, south county Super-visor Mike Kerns brought the issue to the Board of Super-visors, but no action was taken because he was unable to get another two votes from among the remaining four supervisors to put the measure on the ballot. </p><p>But at least one newly elected member of the Board of Supervisors, Shirlee Zane of Santa Rosa, agreed to a pledge in September to place an advisory measure regarding the casino on the ballot in an upcoming election. If supervisor-elect Efren Carrillo also agrees, the board would have the three votes necessary to let the people of Sonoma County weigh in on this important issue.</p><p>Such a vote would be hugely significant if legislation introduced in July by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, becomes law. Huffman’s bill would not allow a state gaming compact to become effective unless local voters approved it or “intergovernmental agreements” had been approved to mitigate impacts of gaming activity, such as traffic, crime, air pollution and groundwater degradation.</p><p>As we’ve stated before, there is no way to mitigate the development’s massive impacts, including unacceptably large increases in traffic congestion, crime, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater degradation.</p><p>The economy may temporarily stall the casino project, but it won’t stop it. </p><p>Huffman’s legislation, which would be retroactive to the first of the year, deserves widespread public support, and that includes Petaluma’s newly elected State Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, along with Governor Schwarzenegger.</p><p>The countywide advisory measure should be put on the ballot in June, so people can finally have a say on the county’s largest-ever development project. </p><p>If you don’t want to see a giant casino built in Rohnert Park, contact your elected officials and demand they do all they can to stop this casino development that would cause extensive and irreparable harm to Sonoma County.</p>