Sides line up at Wisconsin casino hearing

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Those were some of the arguments proponents and opponents of the casino expressed at a forum on the project Tuesday that attracted more than 250 residents to Hudson Middle School.

The U.S. Interior Department is gathering opinions about the impact of the project as it moves toward making a decision later this year whether to support it.

A partnership involving the Red Cliff, Sokaogon and Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa bands wants to develop a casino at the St. Croix Meadows Greyhound Racing Park near Hudson, which is just minutes from the lucrative Twin Cities area gambling market.

In 1995, the Interior Department rejected the tribes' application for the project, but the agency agreed to reconsider it in settling a federal lawsuit alleging that it acted improperly the first time.

Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt was investigated on allegations that he rejected the casino because of campaign contributions and then lied to Congress about it.

A special prosecutor released her final report on the matter Tuesday, explaining why she found insufficient evidence to prosecute him.

At Tuesday's forum, casino opponent Carolyn Belle said it was not right for Indian tribes to "prey upon" the weaknesses of some people.

"To allow it would be a violation of our obligation of stewardship for this river community," she said. "A second and deeper concern I hold is that gambling has negative spiritual consequences both for individuals and for society."

Former city alderman Don Bruns favored the casino, saying it would only be remodeled on the inside, there would be little pollution and he disputed allegations the facility would bring crime, including an increased amount of drunken driving.

Bruns said Hudson businesses opposing the facility are afraid of the competition for workers, wages and benefits that a casino will bring in the area, which has a tight labor market and a shortage of affordable housing.

If the Interior Department approves the tribes' application for the casino, Gov. Tommy Thompson must still approve it. He has said he would approve an off-reservation casino only if it has local support.

So far, the Hudson City Council and the St. Croix County Board have refused to endorse the project.