"I am writing to take issue with Corky Faciutto's comments in the Jan. 27 Daily Democrat about the jobs provided by Cache Creek Casino Resort. I have lived in the Capay Valley for 28 years and have worked at the casino since 1988, when it was just a bingo hall.

I have worked as a bingo attendant and now as a beverage server. In many places these would be minimum wage, dead end jobs, but not at Cache Creek. My union contract means that I make more than minimum wage, have health care benefits for my entire family for only $80 a month, and job security. When the casino decided to close the bingo hall, the Tribe and my union negotiated generous severance packages for the Bingo workers who wanted to end their careers at the casino as well as the right to transfer to other departments for those of us that chose to stay. That's not what you see many employers doing these days.

I've seen the casino grow over the last 20 years and with it one of the only real sources of good employment in this area. Sure, I deal with the increase in traffic and other changes to the valley just like everyone else. But I'm willing to put up with these inconveniences if it means I can have a job where I can take care of my family. The proposed expansion of the casino means that more people will be able to take care of their families like I am - something that is desperately needed in these hard times."

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Dawn Douthit: Taking issue with with opinions on casino (The Woodland Daily-Democrat 2/18)