Candidate seeks talks for Tohono O'odham Nation casino

Tuesday, November 1, 2011  

Glendale, Arizona, mayoral candidate Walter Opaska wants to meet with the Tohono O'odham Nation and discuss the tribe's casino plans.

Opaska said the city is losing litigation against the casino. The city has already spent more than $1 million in legal fees and was ordered to pay the tribe's fees in one case.

"While I don't agree with the way the tribe came upon the land, we need to sit down as a city and talk to them about it," Opaska told the Glendale Tea Party Patriots, The Arizona Republic reported. Some Tea Party members have been critical of the way Mayor Elaine Scruggs has handled the issue.

The tribe has asked Scruggs to come to the table but she has refused. She has not formally announced whether she will seek re-election.

Get the Story:
Glendale mayoral hopeful Walt Opaska speaks to 'tea party' group (The Arizona Republic 11/1)

Related Stories:
Fronteras: Tohono O'odham Nation closer to casino bid (10/31)
City to keep fighting Tohono O'odham Nation casino plan (10/28)
Tohono O'odham Nation wins legal fees in gaming lawsuit (10/26)
Mayoral hopeful open to Tohono O'odham Nation casino plan (10/18)
Polls duel over Tohono O'odham Nation off-reservation casino (10/13)
Tohono O'odham Nation defends plan for off-reservation casino (10/7)