Pueblo casino hosts city and county holiday parties

Friday, December 18, 2009  

Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, owned by Pojoaque Pueblo, is hosting two holiday parties for Santa Fe city and county employees tonight, an arrangement that doesn't sit well with some local officials.

The tribe offered a better price than the Santa Fe's own convention center, said organizers of both parties. The casino also has more space then local venues, organizers said.

But Santa Fe Mayor David Coss and council member Miguel Chavez think the city's party should be held in the city. Chavez is so upset that he is boycotting the event.

"I thought we were supposed to be operating under this concept where we keep our money in the local economy," Chavez told The Santa Fe New Mexican. "Not only is it not local, but it's a long way to drive for a lot of people, and this time of year it just doesn't seem like a good idea."

The casino is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Santa Fe. Pojoaque Pueblo is within county limits.

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City, county holiday bashes pick Buffalo Thunder over local venue (The Santa Fe New Mexican 12/18)