"An area of land behind Home Depot has the potential to become a hub of job opportunties, nightlife and visitor attractions. The Federated Indians of Greaton Rancheria has successfully moved the jurisdiction of this land from county oversight into a federated trust held by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It is only a matter of time before the plans to create a massive casino and hotel complex move forward.

Sonoma State University is unable to provide paying jobs for all of its students. Many must travel to Petaluma, Santa Rosa or farther to find employment to make ends meet while they progress in their degrees. If a local organization is willing to create these jobs for which there is constant demand, why not allow it?

For those local residents tired of the influx of college students hitting the Cotati Crawl each Thursday night, the casino may offer welcome relief. If students have the option to go elsewhere without driving out of town, they will most likely take advantage of it. Bars along the Crawl are familiar and enjoyable, but everyone can appreciate new choices."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Don’t block the Rohnert Park Casino (The Sonoma Star 11/3)

Also Today:
Plans for Indian casino inch closer to reality despite opposition (The Sonoma Star 11/3)

9th Circuit Decision:
Stop The Casino 101 Coalition v. Salazar (June 3, 2010)

Related Stories:
Blog: Paper retracts Opinion linking Sen. Boxer to Graton casino (11/1)
Casino foes argue Graton Rancheria land not eligible for gaming (10/21)
Schwarzenegger won't discuss Graton Rancheria compact talks (10/20)
Group plans another lawsuit to block Graton Rancheria's casino (10/15)
Column: Graton Rancheria casino affects Sen. Boxer's record (10/11)
Editorial: Graton Rancheria casino plan takes toll on public trust (10/6)
Group prepares a second lawsuit over Graton Rancheria casino (10/6)
BIA approves land-into-trust application for Graton Rancheria (10/5)
Appeals court rejects lawsuit over Graton Rancheria casino (6/7)
Opinion: Allow public vote on Graton Rancheria casino (2/25)
Editorial: Apologize for attack on leader's ancestry (2/22)
Coast Miwok Tribe stands by ancestry of chairman (2/18)
Anti-casino group challenges tribal chair's ancestry (2/11)
Opinion: Indian gaming policy shuts out critics (9/18)
Graton Chairman: Indian gaming bill was unfair (9/15)
Anti-tribal gaming bill slowly dying in California (9/3)
Referendum sought on Graton Rancheria casino (9/3)
BIA delays action on Graton Rancheria casino bid (7/6)
Appeal weighed in Graton Rancheria casino suit (4/30)
Judge dismisses lawsuit over Graton Rancheria casino (4/23)