Photo - Brax, Valley Publishing |
Photo - Brax, Valley Publishing |
Photo - Brax, Valley Publishing |
Proposed Anthony Casino Promises Sweets
Part II: of Thee Part Series.
The Jemez Pueblo has applied for an "off the reservation" exemption in order to build a casino outside of Anthony, New Mexico. The tribe is located about 300 miles north of the Upper Valley in Northern New Mexico. Because the tribe is small, not located near any significant population centers and is landlocked; the Governor Michael Toledo, Jr. has joined forces with Santa Fe art dealer Gerald Peters to build a casino in Southern New Mexico.
The question that everyone has asked and is apparently still asking is "Will a full-time/full-gambling 24/7 casino improve the quality of life for Anthony specificially and for the Upper Valley and El Paso in general?"
The easy answer is that a casino is like any other business and it will be good for the region. But the proposed Anthony Casino is not like any other business and the issue deserves more scrutiny.
One of the concerns of local businessmen is that the proposed Anthony Casino will take jobs and business away from them. According to the proponents of the project, as indicated by the sign which was displayed at the Burea of Indian Affairs public input session held on March 16th; "We won't give away food & drink... or sell cheap cigarettes". This and the promise not to build a gas station appears to be all the written safeguards they are willing to insure.
Yet, these written promises are without legal precedence and the Las Cruces Sun-News indicates that the Attorney General is reviewing whether the promises of a soverign nation can be held to be legally binding.
The Las Cruces Sun-News suggest that the projects applicant, Gerald Peters had spoken with their editorial board and indicated that the application would be submitted in December. Later, the Sun-News states that Peters indicated that he did not say that and that the application was to be filed in February. The application was submitted on December 23, 2004 right before the Christmas holiday. This according to the Sun-News, creates questions as to Peters' reliability.
That seems to be the question. Many facts are thrown about by the Jemez group and yet there are no specifics to guage. For instance, average salaries is said to be near $30,000. This figure includes benefits. There are no facts about how much of this amount is for benefits and how are these structured. Even the Jemez group claims that there will be 69 positions that are paid over $54,000.
There is no indication what the highest salary will be which would affect the average salary. Rueben Smith, supportive of the project, indicated that the salary of some of the management positions could of much more than $100,000. There are no statements or promises as to whether these will be Jemez tribe members or out of state management personnel. The position demographics in Native American Gaming facilities do not always point to local hires. Thus the "local" worker would be making substantially less than the $30,000 promised and many would be making less than $10.00/hr.
There are studies undertaken by both camps with predictably different outcomes. One interesting issue, that of loss of local gross receipts tax revenue of up to $1.75 million is disputed by the Casino web site with the comparison that only the "Soviet Union" was contructed to limit revenue from outside souces. They don't even tackle the $4.75 million that is estimated the state could lose. Certainly these figures are the maximums estimated loss.
What is troubling, is that the public has no idea what is the likely result. However, there are studies that suggest that besides the impact on local businesses, emloyees from established busineeses and the Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino (including the horse and alfalfa industry) there are many social consequences of a full-gambling 24/7casino. Unfortunately, these are not positive in nature and could impact the Upper Valley in a negative manner including that of lowering the quality of life.
Next Edition: Part III: of Thee Part Series.
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Editor, Upper Valley Beacon
Copyright 2004 Valley Publishing Company
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