Casino Would Hurt Charities

Tue., June 11, 1996

Doug Floyd Interactive Editor

If the Kalispel Indian Tribe secures all the local, state and federal approval needed to open a gambling casino on the West Plains of Spokane County, it would set a bad precedent and harm charitable activities in this area, a “Bagpipes” reader contends.

“The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is very clear that trust land must be owned and used by a tribe before 1988 to be considered for a casino,” says Cheri Catt of Spokane. “This land was purchased in 1993. If this project is allowed, then nothing would stop a tribe from buying a hotel in downtown Spokane, Tacoma or Seattle for a tribal casino.

“Impact on non-profits and charitable bingos will be very negative.

“Spokane Youth Sports (Association) helps thousands of boys and girls through its golf, baseball, soccer and junior football programs. The Spokane Guild’s School serves developmentally disabled infants and toddlers and could serve 20 to 30 more children if it had the financial resources. Big Brothers and Sisters serves more than 450 children each year and provides adult role models and mentors to 350.

“These are the children who will suffer if a 100-member tribe from Pend Oreille County is allowed to open and operate a seven-days-a-week, 20-hours-per-day casino.”

Dee Dee Morris of Spokane is a member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe which operates a casino and bingo hall on its reservation in North Idaho.

“It must be thoroughly looked into on who’s funding that proposal,” she says. “You’ve got to be very careful.

“As a tribe,” she says, “it would be beneficial to your people if this venture were to happen on your own reservation as it has on others.”

“The downside,” warns Julian Powers of Spokane, “is that you’ll have an increase in people not being able to pay their rent and buy food for their kids, an increase in spousal and child abuse and the general degradation of society by the people who are least able to function right now.”

Remedial reading lesson for Eikenberry

Washington state Republican Party Chairman Ken Eikenberry’s showdown with GOP presidential candidate Pat Buchanan was an “enormous mistake,” says Ellen Ripple of Spokane.

“Pat Buchanan is the one man who could have enthusiastically united the GOP delegates. Eikenberry unjustly and rudely barred his attendance (at the recent state GOP convention).

“As a result of Eikenberry’s inability to read the minds and hearts of Washington Republicans, he himself was voted out of the elected delegation to the national convention.”

, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.

“Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.

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