Petaluma City Council to Take Up Vegas-Style Casino Monday

When March 30, giving the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria to build a Las Vegas-style casino just west of Rohnert Park's city limits, community, environmental and political groups grew incensed. 

While there's no doubt that there are supporters of the project — projected to cost $433 million — but the casino's detractors are more vocal in their opposition.

Now, the Petaluma City Council at Monday night's meeting will take up the issue, according to an article published today in the Press Democrat. The article stated that:

Petaluma City Council members will be asked Monday whether the city should urge North Bay legislators to reject the governor's gaming agreement with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, who plan a huge casino near Rohnert Park.

Councilman Mike Healy, an attorney who has opposed this and other casino proposals in Sonoma County, argues the recently signed compact doesn't require the mitigation of impacts to surrounding communities.

"Even if Rohnert Park is happy and the county ends up being happy," he said, "that still doesn't take care of all the impacts."

The casino is expected to jumpstart Sonoma County's economy, supports say, by creating an estimated 750 construction jobs, as well as service sector jobs once the thing is built.  According to a 2003 memorendum of understanding, the casino is expected to bring in $200 million over 20 years to the local economy.