Editorial: Say no to talks for Cowlitz Tribe casino

Tuesday, November 10, 2009  

"Three La Center city councilors who were elected last week — including one incumbent — all have said they oppose the mega-casino that the Cowlitz Tribe is proposing for north Clark County. Good for them. Allowing a $510 million, 134,150-square-foot gambling palace at the La Center interchange of Interstate 5 would result in a huge net-negative impact on Clark County's quality of life.

However, those same three elected officials say they wouldn't mind asking La Center voters if negotiations with the tribe should be reopened. That makes no sense at all. La Center's city council has been down the casino-dickering trail before. The councilors didn't like what they saw back then, they abandoned the journey, and there's no reason to wander down the same trail again.

According to a story by Michael Andersen in Monday's Columbian, La Center City Councilman Bill Birdwell, who was re-elected last week, said, "All we've done all along is say 'No, no, no.' If we're going to do that, then we need to have the people know that's what we're doing."

That's a weak argument for resuming failed negotiations with the tribe. First, council members said much more than "No, no, no" during their talks with the tribe. They listened long and hard during talks a few years ago, and they heard casino promoters offer $18 million in sewer improvements that would enhance La Center's development efforts at the I-5 intersection."

Get the Story:
In our view, Nov. 10: What Part of ‘No' … (The Columbian 11/10)

Earlier Story:
New city leaders open to talks for Cowlitz casino (11/9)