Perhaps before we close the door to the Indian casino in our
area
– as San Benito County leaders have effectively done by voting
against a proposal that was never presented to them – Morgan Hill
officials should consider another tactic: Fashion a “full house”
proposal and present it to the Miwoks and the casino investors.
Perhaps before we close the door to the Indian casino in our area – as San Benito County leaders have effectively done by voting against a proposal that was never presented to them – Morgan Hill officials should consider another tactic: Fashion a “full house” proposal and present it to the Miwoks and the casino investors.
This is, after all, a game of poker and there’s no reason not to put our cards on the table and move our chips “all in.”
Is there a place we would want the casino located? Is there a distinct architectural style we would like?
Cover the basics, then prioritize a list like this:
n A new library.
n A $1 million contribution to the Indoor Recreation Center that will include a senior citizen facility.
n $100,000 in guaranteed annual funding for the Chamber’s tourism efforts.
n Funding for the Outdoor Sports Complex at the current soccer complex.
n A contract to include local motels in casino marketing and package campaigns.
n A shuttle to local motels, the Downtown and the major shopping centers. And on Taste of Morgan Hill and Mushroom Mardi Gras weekends, shuttles to those events.
n Annual funding for flood control measures.
n $1 million toward the building of the community’s soon-to-be-needed new elementary school.
It’s probably inevitable that a tribal casino will land within shouting distance of Morgan Hill. With that forecast in mind, it’s shortsighted – and not in the best interest of residents – for elected officials to not proactively fashion a proposal and see if the response warrants further discussion.
The City Council should appoint a representative to lead a fast-working committee to put together a proposal that would drive a hard, and potentially valuable, bargain that keeps the best interests of citizens top of mind.
If the Council can put together a deal worth considering, that proposal should go directly to the voters for a special referendum by mail, paid for, of course, by the casino interests.
At that point, casino opponents who believe that no casino is a good casino can campaign against the proposal on moral grounds. And those who want to tout the economic development – hundreds of good-paying jobs with benefits, lots of business for ancillary industries – can make their case.
Morgan Hill should drive a hard bargain, then if a worthwhile proposal emerges, put it on the table and let the voters decide. Time is of the essence. Are we in or out?
