Document text
1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford elementary students cook to impress in Future Chef Competition Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force (No heading) Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Emergency services, March 15 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, March 15 Emergency services, March 14 Judge denies motion to suppress evidence in Rogue River serial murder case Medford man gets 4 years for burglaries Heroin at root of sad tale of crime and death in Grants Pass Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Judge upholds Phoenix's moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries Education St. Mary's School buys campus from parish for $6.5 million Medford School District calls foul on teachers union Supporters rally to back beleaguered principal St. Mary's reaches out to China Inert grenade spurred White Mountain Middle School evacuation Environment Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals Jacksonville requests extension on reservoir dam-notching permit Blooms coming too early for Rogue Valley's bees Low snow closes Mt. Ashland bunny hill chairlift DEQ issues fines over illegal White City dumping site State News At Dorchester Conference, Oregon Republicans look past a bruising election Curry County commissioner's decision to opt out of insurance causes clamor Gov. Kate Brown to declare drought emergency in Lake, Malheur counties Lebanon High School sharpshooters aim for national titles Man languishes in Oregon jail, hasn't commit a crime Nation - World Obituaries James Albert Button Marjorie Ann Carter Rosaline (Tagudin) Wasierski Kenneth L. Swenson Frank Richard "Dick" Middaugh Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society Sports Latest Stories No Contest Maguin, Parks shine in Raiders' opening meet Missoula extends series, 8-4 Celtics end Pacers' winning streak at seven Defending champ Djokovic advances to third round Varsity 541 College Sports No Contest Maguin, Parks shine in Raiders' opening meet Kentucky overwhelms Auburn in semi Johnson ends stellar career at Siskiyous UO women's reign ends; Duck men win Pro Sports Celtics end Pacers' winning streak at seven Defending champ Djokovic advances to third round Ichiro still going strong Harvick stands as big favorite at Phoenix Birdie binge puts Moore in lead at Valspar Community Sports Business Latest Stories Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Blog: Are You Superstitious? East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Letters to the Editor, March 15 Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Editorials Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Our View: Daylight saving bill another waste of time Our View: Medford native Dave Frohnmayer leaves legacy of distinguished service Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 15 Letters to the Editor, March 14 Letters to the Editor, March 13 Letters to the Editor, March 12 Letters to the Editor, March 11 Columns Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Charles Krauthammer: Early Onset Clinton Fatigue George Will: The prescience of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Dana Milbank: Jason Rezaian's detention a tragedy for Iran Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Haga-Parks Southern Oregon Journal: It’s a small world Adopt a Pet Can you hear what I'm saying? Pedaling like a wise, old rabbit Food Community blog: Have a ball at this weekend's cheese festival Community blog: Fewer and fewer of us eschew brilliant beets Season Stepp: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish recipes Page H. Onorato: The 10 commandments for the Southern cook Page H. Onorato: Try out this hot stuff in your kitchen on a cold night Home and Garden The delightful work of flowers Using universal design Dear Monty: Successful rezoning property requires a plan Garden Cameos: Time to give your garden a new look Carol Link: Eradicate weeds completely, use edgers to help keep thrift on slope Health Community blog: Denial is Not a River in Egypt Health Watch: Living smart to protect your heart Community blog: Can Twentysomething Depression Be�Healed? Dr. Murray Feingold: What’s your excuse for being late? Community blog: The Future is Now Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Religion briefs, Feb. 27 Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Nitty Gritty Dirt Band co-founder John McEuen performs at the Unitarian Fellowship in Ashland Theater Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' TMTO's 'Bye Bye Birdie' takes flight Brava! Opera presents classic Mozart and Poulenc Music Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' City-rock band Shotgun Wedding performs at the Craterian Theater in Medford Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Third Fridays showcases local artists Dining (No heading) Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, March 1 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Our View: Keeping the light trained on government ... Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action ... Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals ... Our View: Keeping the light trained on government ... Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action ... Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals ... MEDFORD CASINO PROPOSAL Medford cites 'conflict of interest' in study on Coquilles' proposed casino Company hired by BIA to conduct study has done work for Coquille tribe, city says Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 5:40 PM Updated Mar 13, 2015 at 12:49 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 5:40 PM Updated Mar 13, 2015 at 12:49 PM » Social News Medford officials fired off a 15-page letter this week to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs that claims a conflict of interest in a federal process over the Coquille Indian Tribe’s proposed casino in south Medford. The letter, written by Mayor Gary Wheeler, expresses concerns over the contractor hired by the BIA to conduct the environmental analysis. “It appears that the environmental contractor that the Department has selected and/or approved to prepare the EIS in this case is the same contractor that is used for virtually all gaming-related trust acquisitions and many other tribal projects — Analytical Environmental Services ('AES'),” the letter states. The Coquille tribe is a client of AES, which the city says presents a conflict of interest. The city expressed concern that AES would fail to objectively analyze the Coquille’s application with Indian Affairs. “Indeed, AES has been alleged to have a ‘revolving door’ with BIA, where employees of BIA and AES have switched jobs and has a history of conflict-of-interest complaints,” the letter states. The letter also listed numerous negative effects the city fears the casino would have on the area. The city’s concerns will weigh into the BIA's Environmental Impact Statement that will analyze impacts from the Coquilles' proposal to build a casino along Highway 99. The tribe would convert the current Roxy Ann Lanes bowling alley and the former Kim's restaurant site into a casino with video gambling machines. The Coquille tribe has asked the BIA to place the 2.42-acre property, excluding an adjacent golf course, in a government trust. In addition, the Coquilles have asked the federal Office of Indian Gaming Management for an exception to a prohibition on gaming on lands acquired after October 1988. Both the city of Medford and the Jackson County commissioners agreed Tuesday to become a cooperating agency after receiving an invitation from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The letter from Wheeler, co-signed by City Attorney Lori Cooper and Jena A. MacLean, an attorney with the Washington firm of Perkins Coie LLP, asked the BIA to consider a range of potential impacts, from traffic and crime to schools and social services. The city cited numerous issues it wanted raised in the federal analysis, including looking at studies that casino gambling may be related to domestic violence, divorce, bankruptcy, drug and alcohol abuse, risky or illicit sexual behavior and problem gambling. “The increase in the number of pathological gamblers is another concerning issue regarding the development of casino gambling, and there are increasing concerns regarding child neglect and family problems associated with casinos,” the letter sent by Wheeler on Thursday states. “It is safe to assume that there will be approximately 500 CFS (calls for service) per year at the proposed facility, with 450 that require a law enforcement response." Medford officials disputed the Coquille tribe’s claims that it wanted to place the casino on land already designated as reservation land, urging the BIA to undergo a more thorough process before making such a determination. Ray Doering, spokesman for the Coquille tribe, said he fully expects the BIA to look at a variety of potential issues. “That's the whole point of this,” he said. “That’s the idea of the EIS, which is to raise these concerns and address them.” Once the impacts are shown, he said the tribe will make a response. “Every business has an impact of some kind,” he said. “There are always pluses and minuses.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at @reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 12, 2015 at 5:40 PM Updated Mar 13, 2015 at 12:49 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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