Editorial: Cowlitz casino not in county's 'vision'

Monday, February 20, 2006  

"Now that the shouting and sign-waving is over, the free pizza is gone and officials from Washington, D.C., have left, the process of deciding the Clark County casino issue is back on track. So, too, are intense efforts to influence that decision.

Casino opponents, whose vision for Clark County's economic and social well-being is more promising and has fewer pitfalls than the vision of casino supporters, must redouble their efforts. They can start by demanding support for their cause from local governments, including Clark County, the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Woodland and Battle Ground, Fire District 12 and school districts throughout west Clark County.

Just because Clark County commissioners have worked out a memorandum of understanding with the Cowlitz tribe about governance of the site if it does become a casino does not mean the commissioners necessarily prefer a casino there. They, like other government entities and non-governmental organizations with a stake in that area, should go on record stating that a casino is not the best use for that site.

Yes, on a national scale the federal government should help solve serious economic problems that the 561 federally recognized tribes face. And we acknowledge that the Department of the Interior and other agencies do vital work in that area. But in north Clark County, an environmentally friendly industrial park with family-wage jobs and fewer pressures on roads, schools, sewers and social services is a far better vision."

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In Our View - Focusing on Casino (The Columbian 2/20)