Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

New Buffalo Leaders Would Welcome Casino

The City Council? No deliberation necessary.

In a matter of minutes, and with little public comment, the council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday night inviting the Pokagon Band of Potawatomis to break ground in the extreme corner of southwestern Michigan.

Mayor Bob Hotovy said he planned to meet with Pokagon leaders today to deliver the news.

"The tribe has said from the beginning they'd like to go where they're welcome," he said after the 5-0 vote. "I think this resolution reflects the majority views of our constituents."

The Pokagons said they haven't made a decision yet. But Hotovy believes the tribe and its partner, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., has put the area on a short list of final candidates.

The resolution states that the casino would keep the economy humming year-round. New Buffalo's current fortunes are tied to summer tourism, especially visitors from the Chicago metro area, 75 minutes west.

There were a few dozen protesters at City Hall, but most of them failed to get inside the meeting because the room's capacity was 45 people. Some residents like Smyth, 54, said the council should slow down.

"They passed this thing faster than a new sewer or sidewalk," he said. "It's an insult to the people. ... How can you make a decision without commissioning a study on the pros and cons of a casino?"

State Sen. Harry Gast, R-St. Joseph, has said the Pokagons are considering two sites here in Berrien County: Lake Township, near Bridgman, and New Buffalo Township.

Although a casino would not be inside New Buffalo city limits, council members felt compelled to act because it obviously would have an enormous impact. They also hope to get a share of the gambling revenue.

Jack Walter, 71, one of only three people to address the council, asked if there were assurances that the casino would bring more than 1,000 jobs, as advocates have described, or 400 to 500.

"We have nothing in writing that guarantees anything," the mayor replied. "But that would be 400 more jobs than we have now."

William Geisler said the time is right for a casino.

"It will give the city a year-round look," he told the council. "If we don't get a little more income, taxes are going to go up. Then you'll get more complaints."

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