"The effort to build a $250 million casino on Highway 99 north of Madera has been slowed by the downturn in the economy. This gives the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians an opportunity to reconsider the casino's location and build it in a rural area closer to the tribe's homeland.

Station Casinos of Las Vegas, the tribe's partner in the proposed off-reservation casino, could file for bankruptcy, and gambling industry analysts believe that would limit plans to go forward with the project.

We have supported Indian gaming on reservation land in rural areas. Our opposition to a casino on Highway 99 is based on its location. We believe the North Fork Rancheria should be able to build a casino if it's in an appropriate location.

Building the casino on a major California freeway would turn the 305 acres at Avenue 17 into a congested area. It is not an appropriate location."

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Editorial: Reconsider casino location (The Fresno Bee 12/2)