Document text
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 Student thrift shopper finds rare Nike prototype believed to have been worn by Olympic runner ... Police: Alleged rapist lived under assumed identity ... 'Taking Steps' misfires, but Quinby's comedy shines ... Student thrift shopper finds rare Nike prototype believed to have been worn by Olympic runner ... Police: Alleged rapist lived under assumed identity ... 'Taking Steps' misfires, but Quinby's comedy shines ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Objections to Medford casino not based in fact By Brenda Meade MailTribune.com By Brenda Meade Posted Sep. 4, 2016 @ 12:01 am By Brenda Meade Posted Sep. 4, 2016 @ 12:01 am » 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" --> Jackson County residents ask a lot of questions about the Coquille Indian Tribe’s proposed casino, The Cedars at Bear Creek. Or, more accurately, they ask the same question, over and over: “When are you guys going to open?” The question tells us two things. One, people are eager for a high-quality gaming venue in Medford. And two, they’re unimpressed by the constant rehash of misleading, self-serving objections from our project’s critics. The latest blast was a Sunday, Aug. 28, guest commentary in the Mail Tribune. The author claimed to have “no dog in this fight,” but he referred to a single information source — a website maintained by the Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville. Those folks do have a dog in the fight. I’m not here to throw mud, but I’d like to clarify a few fallacies. Against the law? Opponents of The Cedars keep insisting our project is illegal. We obviously disagree. The Coquille Restoration Act clearly says land taken into trust for economic development in Jackson County will be considered reservation land. That makes it eligible for gaming. The U.S. Interior Department will decide who’s right, but we’re fairly confident. One tribe, one casino? Like the Internet scam with the phony Nigerian prince, various versions of this whopper keep popping up. One time it’s supposedly a state law. Another time it’s a longstanding state policy. Or maybe it’s a gentlemen’s agreement. The truth? No law, policy or deal ever imposed a one-casino limit on Oregon’s tribes. Casino development is governed by federal law and each tribe’s individual gaming compact with the state. Our tribe’s compact doesn’t affect The Cedars at all. A casino on every corner? No, converting south Medford’s Roxy Ann Lanes into The Cedars won’t launch a proliferation of tribal casinos. Our gaming compact and the Coquille Restoration Act are unique among Oregon tribes. Our project has no bearing on what other tribes can do. Drain the local economy? What’s draining the local economy is the constant stream of Jackson County money to out-of-town casinos. Wouldn’t you like to see some of that money paying local employees and local vendors in Medford? The Cedars will do that. Not local? Opponents keep painting the Coquilles as invaders. In reality, many Coquille members live, work, volunteer and pay taxes in Jackson County, and they have for generations. The health care and education benefits they receive from our tribe help support local service providers. The Coquilles are part of this community. Nonprofits will suffer? Hardly. The owners of Seven Feathers are big supporters of local charities, and a little competition from us won’t change that. If anything, competition provides an extra incentive to be good corporate citizens. (Have you noticed they’re paying more attention to Jackson County since we announced our plans? You’re welcome!) The Coquille Tribe is likewise a strong supporter of nonprofits. You can count on us to increase our commitment as we increase our Jackson County business presence. Our Tribal Council already has expressed its intent to develop an additional charity program targeting Jackson County nonprofits. Nobody wants it? Actually, opposition to The Cedars comes mostly from people in the gambling business. The so-called “Protect Oregon” campaign is just a Seven Feathers scare tactic. Oregon politicians warn about casino proliferation while aggressively expanding the state’s video Lottery business. The hypocrisy surrounding this issue is breathtaking. Local politicians apparently don’t mind the 100-plus video Lottery outlets in Jackson County. And the Medford City Council recently legalized poker parlors. The Coquille Tribe’s project is just about the only gaming option they haven’t supported. All we want is a chance to engage in good-old American competition. Federal law gives us that right. Competition will mean more choices for consumers, more jobs for workers, more opportunities for local vendors, and more support for community projects. People in Jackson County understand that. So, back to the question we keep hearing. When are we going to open? The answer is, as soon as we get past the legal and political hurdles. Given the clout and financial resources of those who oppose us, it may take a while. But we’re patient. I look forward to inviting you all to the grand opening of The Cedars at Bear Creek. Brenda Meade is the chairperson of the Coquille Indian Tribe. By Brenda Meade MailTribune.com By Brenda Meade Posted Sep. 4, 2016 @ 12:01 am » 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 2016 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