Guidiville Band won't drop casino bid despite results of local vote

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Guidiville Band of Pomo Indians doesn't plan on changing course on the $1.2 billion Point Molate Resort despite an anti-casino sentiment in Richmond, California.

Voters rejected the casino by a 58-42 percent margin on election day. They also chose two anti-casino candidates for the council, which now has an anti-casino majority.

"I wouldn't be optimistic it's going to happen at this point," council member Tom Butt, who has otherwise been neutral on the project, told The San Francisco Chronicle. "Public opinion is probably not on their side."

Measure U wasn't a binding referendum. But it could influence whether council members finalize a deal with the tribe.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has released a draft environmental impact statement and environmental impact report on the project. The tribe says the city can't kill the project on its own.

Get the Story:
Planned Richmond casino at Point Molate in danger (The San Francisco Chronicle 11/10)