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Judge sides with Barona tribe on alcohol ruling

CALIFORNIA -- As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune: "An administrative law judge is recommending that the Barona Band of Mission Indians be allowed to continue serving alcohol at its massive casino resort north of Lakeside over the opposition of county officials and neighbors.

"The judge, who heard five days of testimony in the case, recently ruled in favor of granting the license as long as the 2,000-slot Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino continues to limit the places where alcohol is served.

"County officials and neighbors say alcohol sales have made hilly, curvy Wildcat Canyon Road more dangerous and have increased crime in the area.

"But Judge Rodolfo Echeverria sided with the tribe, rejecting statistics of increased drunken-driving crashes and crime since the casino began selling alcoholic beverages in 2004.

"...Under a temporary license issued in 2004, the casino-resort sells alcohol only to golfers, hotel guests, gamblers in two VIP gambling rooms, visitors to an events center and steakhouse diners..."

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