SEARCH NEWS:

 

Hollister Casino Supporters Speak Out

HOLLISTER, California – As reported by the Hollister Free Lance: "They may not be quite as vocal as their anti-casino counterparts, but there are Hollister residents who support the proposed Miwok casino and believe it will bring jobs, entertainment and economic stability to Hollister. And tonight the community may see them turn out in great numbers.

"In a recent Farm Bureau poll, 66 percent of voters surveyed said they opposed a Miwok casino at its previously proposed location off Highway 25 near the Santa Clara County line. Local anti-casino group Casinos Represent A Poor Solution has delivered the poll results to state legislators along with a petition signed by almost 5,000 residents opposing the casino.

"But the same poll found that 24 percent liked the idea and now those who disagree with CRAPS's stand are gearing up to speak at tonight's public casino meeting.

"…In addition, a good amount of the city's Latino population supports a casino, according to Carlos Vargas, president of the Hollister Soccer League and a local casino proponent, though other Latino leaders disagree. On Saturday night, a group of more than 100 local Latinos invited California Valley Miwok Project Manager Gary Ramos to discuss the 2,000 local jobs he has estimated the casino would create, Vargas said.

"…The tribe and Game Won hope to build a casino on about 200 acres off San Felipe Road across from the Hollister airport. The casino could be similar in size to Yolo County's Cache Creek, which is 66,000 square feet with 1,762 slot machines. Ramos has said the tribe is looking at a unique business plan that will give 10 percent of the casino's revenue to the state, 10 percent of that to the county, and 10 percent of that to the city…"

< Gaming News