Protestors say no to Wisconsin casino

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 9:59 a.m.

"Tax breaks do sound terrific, but at what expense are they?," Karen Anderson of Kaukauna said.

"A casino brings a lot of unsavory characters into the area," said Phyllis Mocarski of Kaukauna. "Our children and grandchildren ... will take over and have to deal with whatever happens with this move."

The city is negotiating to buy the defunct Fox Valley Greyhound Park from its owners and sell it to the Lac du Flambeau band of Chippewa.

Negotiations reportedly call for the tribe to share payments of more than $100 million in profits with Kaukauna and Outagamie County.

Mayor John Lambie told resident their input was appreciated, but negotiations would continue.

"We would not be doing our job if we didn't check out whatever package is offered," Lambie said.

Lambie said public forums will be held on the issue when talks with the two parties are finalized. He said calls to his office so far have been overwhelmingly in favor of the plan.

The proposal calls for the tribe to construct a casino-hotel and indoor water park complex on the 100-acre site near State 55 and U.S. 41.

Similar proposals have been rejected in Ashwaubenon De Pere, Johnson Creek, Belgium, Howard, Sheboygan, Port Washington, Waukesha, St. Francis, Mukwonago, New Berlin, Columbus and Manitowoc.

Any off-reservation proposal would need the approval of local and county governments, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of the Interior and the governor.