2/13/2006

From: alra@governance.net
Subject: Huge Public Casino Meetings Set In Vancouver, WA  Feb. 15th and 16th

Land Rights Network
American Land Rights Association
Alliance Against Reservation Shopping
PO Box 400 - Battle Ground, WA 98604
Phone: 360-687-3087 - FAX: 360-687-2973
Email: alra@pacifier.com or alra@governance.net
Web Address: http://www.landrights.org
Legislative Office: 507 Seward Square SE - Washington, DC 20003




Huge Public Casino Meetings Set In Vancouver, WA  Feb. 15th and 16th


That is Wednesday, February 15th and Thursday, February 16th. 

These meetings will have key Federal Tribal gaming officials so they will be of great interest to groups outside Vancouver who are concerned with Federal Indian Policy.  If you are interested in networking on the spread of Tribal casinos and Reservation Shopping, you’ll get in touch with lots of key Reservation Shopping opponents who share your views.

If you are not concerned about the massive spread of Reservation Shopping and Tribal gaming issues, you probably know someone that is.  Please forward this
message as widely as possible.

It’s time for communities to stand up and take back the control over the future of their communities. 

If you cannot come, but want to be in the No Reservation Shopping network, send an e-mail to ccushman@pacifier.com with “No Reservation Shopping” in the subject line. 



Make your plans to be there now NOW!

The US Dept. of Interior has set two informational meetings this coming week.  Key officials from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Nat’l. Indian Gaming Commission will be here to answer your questions.  

This is your chance to finally get some answers.  The decision makers will be here.

Don’t miss out on your best opportunity to meet the most important people in the future of Clark and Cowlitz Counties. 

Casino Public Meetings:  

*****The first is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Prairie High School auditorium, 11500 NE 117th Avenue.  For those not familiar with the area, 117th is also SR 503.  Get off at the Padden Parkway exit that says to Battle Ground.  Go East to 117th (SR 503) and turn left.  Prairie High School is just north of 99th St. You can also take SR 500 off I-205 and go East.  Keep going and it will turn into SR 503. Continue until you go past 99th St.



*****The second is Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 pm in the auditorium of Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E 18th Street.   Take the Mill Plain exit of I-5 East from or I-205 go West to Andreson.  Go North on Andreson to 18th.  Turn left on 18th. 

C-TRAN is providing free bus service to and from those meetings for Ridgefield and La Center residents.




Here are some questions to think about: 
.


Why do the Cowlitz casino developers 
want to shut out local governments? 

Why is the public always the last to know 
their plans — even though they could have 
a huge impact on our communities? 

Why won’t the Regional BIA answer our questions? 

Why does its staff make us file Freedom of Inform a t i o n 
Act requests? 

Why was the Cowlitz Tribe allowed to tie its gaming ordinance
application to its site application? 

Why does the tribe submit its applications secretly? 

Why do the casino developers keep asking local governments to sign joint agreements? 

Why does the federal government act like it’s OK that regular citizens don’t 
get due process? When is it our turn to know what’s really going on? 

Don’t you want to know?



You are invited to two public meetings with representatives from: 

The U.S. Department of the Interior 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs 

The National Indian Gaming Commission 

The Office of Indian Gaming Management 

On the stage will be Jim Cason, Acting Assistant Secretary of Interior for Indian Affairs,  George Skibine, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs,  Edith Blackwell, Interior Department Solicitor's Office, Penny Coleman, Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission,  Maria Wiseman, Interior Department Solicitor's Office, and Stan Speaks, Regional Director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Portland..  Mr. Speaks also will have staff there to answer questions, if need be.

— 7 p.m. Wednesday 

Prairie High School Auditorium • 11500 N.E. 117th Ave., Vancouver.

Come meet with casino opponents beginning at 6 p.m. in the 
commons area adjacent to the auditorium. 


— 7 p.m. Thursday 

Fort Vancouver High School Auditorium • 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver.
 
Come meet with casino opponents beginning at 6 p.m. in the 
foyer outside the auditorium. 


For more information, send an e-mail to ccushman@pacifier.com.


This is a very important message.  Please forward it as widely as possible.
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