10 April 21 - May 4, 2007
Community
www.SanTanSun.com
Indian gaming from Page 8
Mediation next for Chandler police
are fi lled by non-Native Americans. Lone Butte, being the smallest of the three has
by Natalie Morris repeatedly about the overall
a proportionate share of jobs to offer residents from outside the reservation.
A mediator will likely be brought in negotiations, but City Attorney Michael
GRIC long-range plans call for mixed-use development with golf, retail and
to help in wage and labor negotiations House clarified that legally, only
offi ce space.
between the Chandler Lieutenants mediation could be addressed during
“The Community did a master plan to situate the casino in the context of the
and Sergeants Association (CLASA) the Apr. 12 meeting.
environment. The design will be very sensitive, very attractive and very high
and the City of Chandler. Talks had CLASA’s expressed concern with
quality in its design and architecture, and will generally follow dark sky guidelines,”
apparently come to a standstill, and the mediator suggested by city staff,
Gutenson says.
union representatives brought their and the council passed a resolution
While some entertainment events could be in the offi ng, the main casino
case to the Chandler City Council at a directing both sides to fi nd a “mutually
attraction – besides gambling – would be food and beverage venues including an
recent meeting. acceptable mediator.” If a mediator is
upscale sit-down restaurant.
“Even if we can’t reach an agreement not agreed upon by the next meeting,
Statewide, some 20 million acres are held by Indian tribes, representing 27
through mediation, it can be helpful in the council will make a selection.
percent of all land in Arizona. The Gila River Indian Community, comprising two
clarifying the parties’ positions,” stated Mayor Boyd Dunn and several other
distinct tribes, the Pima and the Maricopa, holds 372,000 acres. The GRIC itself
Greg Fretz, labor relations administrator council members encouraged both
was established in 1859; however, the Community traces its roots to the Hohokam,
for Chandler. “Mediation is our last sides to make every effort to stay within
prehistoric Indians who lived and farmed the land centuries ago.
hope before coming back to this body the meet and confer process.
Residents who may have already noticed construction along Hunt Highway
sometime in the future.” “Before we start acting as an arbitrator,
in the vicinity of the new casino may think that the facility is already underway.
Sergeant Keith Benjamin, CLASA I want to have every opportunity to
Phipps says what people are seeing is actually a tribal irrigation project, not casino
president, disagreed. have the system work effectively,” said
development.
“We’re going to come back to the Dunn.
Phipps adds that the casino will not be tapping into Chandler’s water distribution
council anyway. It’s going to cost money.
system. The tribe will drill its own wells for the development and have its own
It’s going to take time. We would rather
Natalie Morris is a freelance writer and lives
wastewater plant.
just have the council look at our fi nal
with her husband and two small boys in
Cooper Commons. She can be reached at
proposal and make a decision.”
Natalie@SanTanSun.com.
Jim Veihdeffer is a freelance writer, editor and ASU adjunct faculty member. He can be reached
Members of the council inquired
at Jim@SanTanSun.com.
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