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Erica Pinto: Jamul Indian Village planning to debut casino 'soon'

The Hollywood Casino Jamul is located on the Jamul Indian Village in California. Photo from Facebook
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An opening date hasn't been announced but Erica Pinto, the chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village addresses concerns about the $400 million Hollywood Casino Jamul that's going up on her tribe's reservation in southern California:

For more than 20 years, my tribe has fought to achieve our dreams of economic independence as other tribes in San Diego County have done. We wish to pursue the American Dream to the best of our ability and for the sake of our people.

In 1999, we signed a tribal-state compact with the California government. Many other tribes did the same, all with a shared vision of economic self-sufficiency and an improved life for tribal members. Our compact permits gaming of limited size and scope under rigorous, comprehensive oversight by the tribe, state and federal agencies on our trust land.

The compact and the current project were completed despite years of unsuccessful legal challenges. Opponents of our project continue to object, despite a project that was thoughtfully designed to blend with its surroundings and history, despite agreements with the state and county government to pursue the project, despite the commitment of my tribe to make numerous road improvements, and despite meaningful improvements to fire and life safety services that will benefit Jamul and neighboring communities.

The most recent opponents expressed concerns centered on safety in regards to traffic and fire. As longtime residents of the region, we too recognize the challenges and concerns of Highway 94. As neighbors, we envisioned that our project would reap rewards and benefits beyond our tribal boundaries.