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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One ... Serious crime down in Medford ... Bill could gut GMO ordinance, group says ... Our View: We are not ready for The Really Big One ... Serious crime down in Medford ... CANYONVILLE Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe announces layoffs Comment By Local report MailTribune.com By Local report Posted Feb. 2, 2015 at 2:49 PM Updated Feb 2, 2015 at 5:12 PM By Local report Posted Feb. 2, 2015 at 2:49 PM Updated Feb 2, 2015 at 5:12 PM » Social News The Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe announced Monday that it would lay off 93 employees, and it put part of the blame on an effort by another tribe to open a casino in Medford. The layoffs were effective Monday. All of the employees will receive a severance package, according to a release from the tribe. The Cow Creek have approximately 1,000 employees at their casino, hotel and travel facilities in Canyonville. Seven Feathers Casino Resort opened as a bingo hall in 1992. The tribe also operates a foundation that has given out more than $14.2 million to charities in Southern Oregon since 1997.  In a press release, tribal Chairman Michael Rondeau said the tribe is still feeling the effects of the Great Recession. “The post-2008 economy has forced businesses to change," he said in the release. "The demographics of today’s typical gaming customer have also changed." He took a shot at the Coquille Tribe, which is based in Coos County but is attempting to build a casino in Medford, calling the plan a "potentially devastating threat" to his tribe. "A neighboring tribe’s intent to build an illegal casino in Medford demands our business approach be more conservative," he said in the release. "We have had to respond to this reality. “It is unfortunate that a neighboring tribe, wrongfully trying to place a second casino 180 miles from their existing casino on the coast, affects our employment base in such a negative way.” Ray Doering, spokesman for the Coquille tribe, declined to comment on the announcement, other than refuting the characterization of the Coquille proposal as illegal. "It's negative advertising," he said. The proposed Medford casino faces numerous hurdles before it can be built. The Coquilles must first get approval to put land it purchased in south Medford into trust. The Coquille proposal is the subject of a federal Bureau of Indian Affairs public hearing today at 5:30 p.m. in the North Medford High School Auditorium. Residents may provide input on such issues as impacts on traffic, transportation, land and water resources, noise and public safety. Doering said the Coquille tribe has worked on its proposal for two years, and he said it will be up to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to determine whether the Medford land can be placed in trust. In addition, he said, the Coquille's proposal is undergoing significant environmental review.     By Local report MailTribune.com By Local report Posted Feb. 2, 2015 at 2:49 PM Updated Feb 2, 2015 at 5:12 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501