Wisconsin village group trying to revive casino plan

Sunday, May 14, 2000 | 10:24 a.m.

The proposal from the Lac du Flambeau Chippewas called for a 2,000-slot casino, 200-room hotel and 2,000-stall parking ramp to be built near Lambeau Field. It was initially supported by the Village Board but was voted down after about 100 residents voiced their opposition at a board meeting May 2.

Supporters of the proposal are circulating a petition for an advisory referendum on the plan. The group must gather 977 signatures.

"We felt that with 18,000 people in Ashwaubenon, to have 100 people go to a board meeting and see the board succumb to that is troubling," Ashwaubenon resident Mer Meyer said Friday.

Village President Ted Pamperin said he has been getting many calls from residents upset by the decision not to hold a referendum but said he would uphold the May 2 vote.

"The Village Board made a decision ... on the information we were getting at that time," Pamperin said. "We're standing by that position."

Opposition to the casino came mainly from members of Bethany United Methodist Church. Rev. Charles Cederholm said the church would organize against a referendum if the petition succeeds.

The Lac du Flambeau plan would have given $46.25 million each to Brown County and Ashwaubenon over the next 20 years.

Meyer said he is morally opposed to gambling but said the economic benefits of the casino should not be ignored.

"It will certainly help to keep taxes level or drive them down," said Meyer, an Ashwaubenon School Board member. "This is an opportunity."