"Stateline area residents who might like to see a casino complex developed here have learned over the past decade to temper their enthusiasm with a full ration of reality.

Landing a casino is hard work.

After years of diligent effort and the investment of millions of tribal dollars, the proposal put forth by the Bad River and St. Croix Chippewa bands came to nothing. There were all sorts of bureaucratic obstacles and barriers, not to mention self-serving political schemes cooked up by powerful interests, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In the end it was too much to overcome. While the Bad River/St. Croix effort may not have been officially pronounced dead yet, it looks fairly clear that plan is stalled, probably for good.

Here in Beloit, that situation should be met with a mix of empathy and disappointment. Whichever way one leans - pro-casino or anti-casino - it should be acknowledged the Bad River and St. Croix bands approached this community with honesty, integrity and openness. Though it seems destined to fall short, the Chippewa always conducted themselves with honor and made friends in Beloit."

Get the Story:
EDITORIAL: Welcome interest from Ho-Chunk (The Beloit Daily News 1/7)

Also Today:
Proposed Casino in Beloit Could Affect Forest City's Plans (WIFR-TV 1/8)
Quinn Trashes Proposed Beloit Casino (MyStateline.Com 1/6)
Beloit crafting casino agreement with Ho-Chunk (The Janesville Gazette 1/6)
Holding a good hand: Beloit, Ho-Chunk may have strong case for casino (The Beloit Daily News 1/6)

Related Stories:
Ho-Chunk Nation to discuss off-reservation casino next week (1/6)
Ho-Chunk Nation negotiates off-reservation casino agreement (1/5)