Off-reservation casinos don't belong in Washington state
As past chairperson of the Washington State Lottery, and a member of the commission for nine years, I have seen, up close, the expansion of gaming in our state over the past decade. Washington state now has more tribal gaming than any other state in the country, with the exception of California and Oklahoma.
As more and more tribes have opened casinos in Washington, it's reduced the lottery revenue to the state, revenue that helps fund schools, small business owners and our general fund. I support the rights of tribes to run gaming operations (I'm part Cherokee), but I think it's time we, community members, send a message to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) enough is enough.
We do not need to open the door to off-reservation casinos in Washington state.
The Spokane Tribe already runs two casinos, now they want a third, outside Fairchild Air Force Base in an area known as “the crash zone.” This will jeopardize (encroachment) our largest employer, Fairchild as well as change the culture of our community. What's to prevent future expansion to Downtown Spokane… Casino Ridpath?
Now is the time to let our elected officials and the BIA know that casino expansion is not our vision for the future of our region or our state.
Melinda E. Travis
Spokane
Thanks for making Jungle Carnival a successful event
Thanks to an incredible amount of sponsors who made our annual EWU/Airway Heights Recreation “Jungle Carnival” at Sunset Elementary School fabulous. From the Willow Springs donation of 300 hot dogs and buns to the always generous support of Ben Franklins, nearly 90 other individuals and businesses in the Cheney, Airway Heights and Spokane communities literally came out of the woodwork to sponsor this program with prizes and/or food. Your logos were displayed out the wall of the gym throughout the carnival.
As part of their EWU programming class, 36 recreation students developed unique booths and worked together in committees to organize the event assisted by Andy Gardner, Airway Heights recreation and community services program supervisor and myself. Approximately 250 children, parents, teachers and volunteers attended this year's carnival and the smiles were contagious. Thanks again to everyone involved. It was a free gift to the community and truly a blast.
Dr. Barb Brock
EWU professor
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