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3 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 SOU set to reopen Thursday after threatening handwritten note prompts closure ... String of crimes nets Central Point man 4-plus year sentence ... Jackson County will build RV park north of Expo ... SOU set to reopen Thursday after threatening handwritten note prompts closure ... String of crimes nets Central Point man 4-plus year sentence ... Jackson County will build RV park north of Expo ... MEDFORD Council bolsters legal standing on casino By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 1, 2015 @ 6:30 pm Updated Oct 1, 2015 at 6:31 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 1, 2015 @ 6:30 pm Updated Oct 1, 2015 at 6:31 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Medford City Council decided Thursday to take a small step to help shoehorn itself into a “frustrating” federal process that could pave the way for a casino in south Medford. The council will send a memorandum of understanding that states the city wants its voice to be heard as the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs conducts an economic impact statement on the proposed casino, at the current Roxy Ann Lanes bowling alley and the former site of Kim's restaurant on Highway 99. “It bolsters our legal standing,” City Attorney Lori Cooper said. But, not by much, according to councilors. “We don’t have the final say, and so far we’ve had no say,” Councilor Dick Gordon said. Gordon said the only way the city could potentially derail the casino is by filing a lawsuit at a later date, but that move would require a sizable dollar investment in legal fees. “This is frustrating for the City Council,” he said. “We don’t want to give the general public the impression that we’re in the driver’s seat.” The tribe wants to 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. The council expressed general frustration at the lack of local input that is possible through a process that is largely governed by the federal government. “I think we’re all frustrated on this thing,” Mayor Gary Wheeler said. 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 Oct. 1, 2015 @ 6:30 pm Updated Oct 1, 2015 at 6:31 PM » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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 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