Mayors oppose Tohono O'odham Nation casino

Friday, August 21, 2009  

The mayors of five cities in Arizona sent a letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to oppose an off-reservation casino for the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Surprise and Youngtown say the tribe shouldn't be allowed to have trust land away from its existing reservation. Their letter cites jurisdictional, zoning and tax issues.

The five mayors join the cities of Glendale and Phoenix in opposing the casino. "This would indeed be off-reservation gaming," Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs told The Arizona Republic.

The tribe bought 134 acres in Glendale with funds that were authorized by an act of Congress. The land should qualify for a land claim settlement exception, the tribe says.

Get the Story:
5 W. Valley leaders join Glendale mayor against casino plan (The Arizona Republic 8/21)