Jamulians Against the Casino Newsletter
 January 10, 2012

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Urgent News
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Jamulians Against the Casino

Need your help!! 

JAC sent out an alert the other day. We are following up because this is such a significant opportunity to make a stand before the Supreme Court of the United States to stop the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs from taking land in to trust for casinos. The suit is important because our own government wishes to take away the rights of individuals and community groups such as JAC from having input on such proposals/applications. It would strip away our rights to comment and fight the taking of land into trust in our communities.


Cheryl Schmit, Stand Up for California, has aggressively been involved at the Federal level on this issue. She has been asked to have community groups, such as JAC, be a part of an amicus brief, to bring forward new information to the Justices, to support the value and  importance of individual and community members rights in the Federal court system. She shared that the current administration has given the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs a green light to approve these applications and ignore individual, community and local positions against such applications.

 

What this means to Jamul, is that Lakes Entertainment Inc. holds approximately 100 acres adjacent to the small village land, plus the four acres that is still fee simple at the old fire station site. The application for the land into trust is still at the BIA. It is obvious that a ruling by the Supreme Court in the BIA's favor, will open a flood of approvals for all the applications sitting at the BIA.

 

The attorney who will write the brief is well known.  He has given testimony multiple times before Congress and the courts. Because of the importance of this case, he has offered to write the brief plus printing for $15,000.This amount will be spread between all the participating community groups. Our share should be $1500 to $2500 depending on the number. A bargain considering the importance of this case.

 

We have received commitments for $500.  Would you be willing to send at least $100 to cover JAC's share?  We know things are tough for many now but this is an historic opportunity. We must act by the end of this week. Please let us know if you can participate.


We still have a very hefty bill with our attorney, Steve Volker. We are still at court with Caltrans. Tomorrow our planning group is meeting with Caltrans and the acting director, Bill Figge has told Janet Mulder (who serves as the secretary of the Planning Group) she is not to come because she is part of our lawsuit.  Mr. Volker has told her she has every right to attend. Ironically, Robert Mesa is to attend as a member of the tribe.


We all should be concerned about our individual rights and our government's interpretation of those rights.

 

Please drop by to see Marcia Spurgeon at Real Estate Results with your donations. Or mail in your check to the address below.


JAC needs your help. Please send your donations for the JAC legal fund. Write to your local government officials.

 

JAC

PO Box 1317

Jamul CA 91935

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