I am writing in reference to the Indian casino that is planned to be built here in Florence and the reasons why I am against it.

Please refer to the Wall Street Journal Dec. 26, 2002 edition.  Niagara Stakes.  Who knows more about the mob involvement than Gov. George Pataki and his close friend and former U.S. attorney and prosecutor of John Gotti and the Gambino Mob, none other than Rudi Guiliani!

The casino will only increase crime and cause heavy traffic problems.  We are already short of law enforcement personnel due to cutbacks.  It will not bring more jobs to local people, as the Indians will bring their own people here from other locations.

I know people who live in Lincoln City and Coos Bay; these people have seen no positive changes or good that the casinos have brought to their community.

Florence is a beautiful coastal community with so very many positive aspects, and the majority of the people here in Florence are opposed to this project.  I have e-mailed this message to Gov. Kulongoski and asked him to please help us to stop the building of the casino.  I cannot imagine what good the casino overall would do for Florence.

Dianne Gilmour
Florence

INTRODUCTION
Under consideration at this meeting is the possible development of a casino by the Indian tribes.  This development has the potential of causing significant impacts upon the ability of the city to provide services both to the current citizens and businesses as well as to the casino.  My particular concern has been the ability of the city to provide drinking water to meet demand.

CITY SERVICES:  WATER
The city has been unable, at least since 1998, to meet the peak demand for water from its own resources.  The demand has been met by purchasing water from the Heceta Water District.  To eliminate the reliance on Heceta Water District water, the city is undertaking an expansion by adding five new wells.  Three of these new wells are under contract with construction to begin soon.  The projection for the additional water to be produced by the five new wells during peak periods of demand is 1,000,000 gallons per day.  Based upon the actual demonstrated ability of the current seven wells, that seems to be a reasonable estimate (200,000 gallons per day per well during peak demand periods).

Included in the addition of five wells is the upgrade in the treatment capability.

However, there appears to be a time gap between having the wells in operation and meeting the summer 2003 demand.  one can only hope the casino does not require water prior to the summer of 2004.

BACKGROUND
I provided an analysis of the ability of the city to meet its demand for drinking water.  The Director of Public Works, Mr. Lanfear, provided the data by which this analysis was done.  I submitted my final report on drinking water for 2002 on October 18, 2002 to the City Manager. The bottom line was that the city had NEVER, since 1998, been able to produce enough water to meet its peak demand for any extended period.

The addition of a casino would create a significant increase in the demand for water.  It is incumbent on the city to ensure that the increased demand created by the casino is carefully analyzed and evaluated.

DEMAND
The demand for water in the summer months is increasing each year.  A rough estimate of the increase in demand could be considered to be on the order of 20% per year.  This projected increase does not include the impact of a casino.

Peak Net Demand Per Day
The peak net demand for a single day was 2,808,000 gallons on 14 August 2002.  Our net production on that day was 1,743,000 gallons.  The city was able to augment the need by purchasing 260,000 gallons of water that day.  However, the city had to draw about 800,000 gallons from the reservoirs.

Average Net Production Per Day
The highest average daily production from the city well field during the summer months has been 1,678,000 gallons in August 2002.  Although the data shows that average daily net production is increasing over the years, this increase appears to be far below what will be required to meet the potential demand for 2003, without any requirements to meet the casino demand.

Peak Production for One Day
The city, since 1998, has been projecting the ability of the well field to produce 2,000,000 gallons of water per day.  The data shows that the highest net production for a single day reached by the city well field is 1,873,000 gallons on 19 July 2002.  The maximum single day net production frequently reached 1.7 to 1.8 million gallons per day, but was unable to meet the demand in many cases.

The demand can be met for short periods of time by drawing down the reservoirs, but it is felt that this action poses a significant danger to the city in the event of a fire.  We must depend upon our reservoirs to provide the water to fight a fire.

CONCLUSIONS
If the conclusion on the increase in demand is correct, then the summer of 2003 may show average demands on the order of 2,500,000 gallons per day, with a peak demand around 3,300,000 gallons on a peak day.  Of course, climatic conditions could affect the demand significantly.  If we have a wet summer, then perhaps the demand will be lower than projected.  However, one should prepare for the worst, and not depend on climatic changes for the good.

The ability of the current well field to meet the demand for water in the summer of 2003 is not adequate.  Even with the addition of the projected five new wells, our ability to meet the increasing demand would appear to be marginal.  It is questionable that the three new wells under contract will be producing in time to significantly help the city meet the demand.  The time scale for the last two wells is uncertain, and is not likely to help in the summer of 2003.
Based upon my analysis of the ability of the city to meet the demand for drinking water, the city may well not be able to provide adequate amounts of water to the casino without considerable expense.  The size of the problem is a function of time.  If the casino is not developed in the near term, then the city will have adequate time to improve its production capability.

At the least, the casino will force the city to develop the proposed new well field much earlier than planned (2006).  A question that needs to be considered is "Where will the city come up with another $12 or $13 million to do that?"  This is also a time consuming process, so adequate advance planning will be required.

If the casino is to be developed in the near term, the city may not be able to meet the increased demand.  The city has been unable, at least since 1998, to meet Th. peak demand for water form its own resources.  We already have taken steps to begin a "Water Conservation" program.  The effectiveness of the "Water Conservation" program has not yet been measured.

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the city begin now to estimate the impact of the development of a casino in terms of the production capability of drinking water, including the necessary time scale and attendant costs.  This planning should include the construction of the necessary piping to reach the casino site, the necessary increases in treatment capacity, and the development of a new well field.

It would be hoped that the tribes would pay for such engineering studies.

Richard Walker
Florence, Oregon

Under consideration at this meeting is the possible development of a Casino by the Indian tribes.

First, I should say that I am not in favor of a casino in Florence.  I cannot but feel that there would be a significant change in the ambiance of Florence.  This change, I fear, would not be a totally positive one.  I love Florence as it is.  I recognize that change is inevitable, however, I do not want Florence to change quickly.  The construction of a casino would cause major changes far more quickly than the City and its citizens could accommodate.  Which means that mistakes would most likely be made.  Mistakes can be costly to correct both in terms of money and confidence by the Citizens.

That represents some of my subjective concerns about the casino.  That being said, I wish to present some more concrete concerns about the impact of a casino on Florence.

The development of a casino has the potential of causing significant impacts upon the ability of the City to provide services both to the current citizens and businesses as well as to the casino.  My particular concern has been the ability of the city to provide drinking water to meet the demand.  My detailed concerns have been provided in writing to the City Recorder for dissemination to the Council.  I have also provided a copy of these comments to the City Recorder.

Based upon my analysis of the ability of the City to meet the demand for drinking water, the City may well not be able to provide adequate amounts of water to the casino without considerable expense.  The size of the problem is a function of time.  If the casino is not developed in the near term then the City will have adequate time to improve its production capability.

At the least, the casino will force the city to develop the proposed new well field much earlier than planned.  A question that needs to be considered is, "Where will the City come up with another $12 or $13 million dollars to do that?"  This is also a time consuming process so adequate advance notice would be required.

If the casino is to be developed in the near term, the city may not be able to meet the increased demand.  The city has been unable, at least since 1998, to meet the peak demand for water from its own resources.  We already have taken steps to begin a "Water Conservation" program.  The effectiveness of the "Water Conservation" program has not yet been measured.

Similar problems may be presented with the wastewater system.  The inclusion of the casino will push the city closer to the time when expensive upgrades in capacity may be necessary.  It will also push the city closer to the time when another wastewater facility may have to be developed.  Interestingly, this could represent the requirement for another $12 or $13 million dollar investment by the city.

There are also the questions about the impact on our Police Department.  What will be required and how will increases be funded?

this leads to the questions on handling violations.  Which court system is empowered to handle cases under a different legal system (assuming that the Tribes are still considered as independent nations) with different laws?

Outside the city confines are the questions about the safety of the intersection of 126 and North Fork Road.  What would be required to handle the increased traffic safely?  Who would pay for the necessary improvements?

Finally, is the question of the Tribes agreement to follow the laws of the US, the state of Oregon and lane County when it comes to the actual development of the casino.  Would the building standards be followed?  Would building permits and inspections be required?  From whom?  Would the wetlands be preserved?  Who would exercise jurisdiction over the development of the casino, the county, the city or no one?

As the council can see, there are a variety of concerns that should be addressed.  Fortunately, those concerns are in the future, but I would suggest that it is not too late to start developing a framework for addressing them now.  It is my hope that the council begins now.

With respect to a letter to the Governor, the council would appear to have three options.  First, do nothing and send no letter.  Second, recommend that the appeal be allowed to run its course.  Third, recommend that the appeal be withdrawn.

It is my suggestion that the council send the Governor a letter recommending that the appeal be allowed to run its course.  This would provide more time to address the needs of the City in the event that the casino will be developed.

Thank you for hearing my concerns.

Richard Walker
Florence, Oregon

Carol Holcombe
Florence, Oregon

I understand our governor is interested in hearing from Florence residents on this issue.  Give him a call at (503) 378-6246 and ask for Lorna Hobbs.  Whether you are in favor or not of having a casino in Florence, your view is important.  Won’t you call the governor today?

Jean Perry
Florence, Oregon

Don't let the coastal tribes build a casino here!  We are not against them building a casino, but not in the pristine little town of Florence, a town of 7,000.  The site is located in a residential area - check it out.

The tribes had federal and state approval to build in the Coos Bay area.  That's a larger community, but apparently not lucrative enough.  They bought 98 acres in a residential area and want the local people to welcome it.  Why crucify the many homeowners of Florence who have paid taxes for years to benefit non-taxpayers?  There are uninhabited sites throughout Oregon.  Local newspapers seem to be sympathetic to the tribes.  Let them help find a more lucrative spot in another area.

It seems strange these tribes can't find a historical village and burial grounds in the 1.6 million acres of western Oregon between Siuslaw and Umpqua Rivers and from the Coast to Eugene that is their ancestral homeland, rather than pulling this sham here in Florence.  Why should we sacrifice peace and tranquility and be subjected to the crime, economic impact, gambling addition, traffic problems and tax increases - not to mention the added burdens on our schools, police, water and electric systems -- and, most important, the devaluation of our homes?

The promise of new jobs is a joke.  The tribe's 800 members will be brought in to work and live at our expense!  Please check the location, which includes wetlands.  We could not build a casino if we wanted to!  Why discriminate against us?

Alice Sparks
Florence, Oregon

Governor Kulongoski

Sir:

Please review the proposed Casino location and the direct impact of said casino on our community. Our City Government has been very quiet regarding this matter, although they seem to have included the casino in the comprehensive planning for the city of Florence.

The impact of this type casino on Florence is frightening to contemplate. We do not wish to be another Lincoln City. Those of who have chosen to settle in Florence did so to escape the negative aspects of the big cities....crime, traffic noise and congestion, pollution, and just too much of everything. Florence has just the correct amount of the things that make life attractive to the person seeking retirement. We do not wish this lifestyle to evolve in to another big city in microcosm.

Perhaps there is someplace....not located almost within the residential parameters of the city that the Indian tribes would be happy to occupy rather than so near a retirement community. A recent editorial in the Eugene Register Guard favoring
the casino location in Florence may be a clue to a new location for this endeavor....how about on the land close to the R/G facility? Great location......close to the Belt Line and Interstate I -5, and of course the greater population of the adjacent communities. Why even the new hospital would be close by in case of possible gambling violence. Is that a great idea????????

Seriously.....a small enclave of senior, but not really affluent, retires should not be subjected to the down side of this development. Guess who will pay for the increased taxes on the community... Not the independent Nation.

I realize this is a complicated issue, and with that in mind all associated ramifications should be addressed prior to any final approval for construction. Please give this potential disaster complete investigation. A great majority of those of us who reside here in Florence are fearful of this development.

Most sincerely

Kenneth Kent
Florence, Oregon

The population of Florence is 7,200, the city maintenance and school budget is reduced, five police have been eliminated, and social services have been drastically cut.

If the casino is approved in Florence, 700 tribal members will move to Florence from the Coos Bay and Rogue River Valley area.  The promised 300 new jobs will be filled by the tribal members.  This will be a costly step backwards as a 10% increase (in Florence's population) will surely overload the city maintenance and school budgets, as well as the crime prevention and justice system.

But with very little employment in this area, the social services will be hit the hardest, causing additional excessive costs to Lane County and the State of Oregon taxpayers, just when we are desperately trying to reduce spending because of the ongoing budget shortfalls.

The approval of this casino within one mile of downtown Florence, which is only 45 miles from the existing Mill Casino, will be an economic disaster.  This same tribe already has an approved agreement to build a casino in the much larger populate Coos Bay area, affording them quite a comfortable living without disrupting the area, with much less cost to the Oregon taxpayers.

Roy E. Rochell, Florence

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