Tribe takes casino plan outside Wisconsin village

Wednesday, May 17, 2000 | 10:29 a.m.

The tribe has approached De Pere, Howard, Hobart and Lawrence about an off-reservation casino, tribal chairman Tom Maulson said Tuesday. De Pere is the only community to rule it out so far, he said.

The Chippewa originally proposed building the complex, which would include a 200-room hotel and 2,000-stall parking ramp, near Lambeau Field and said they would pay $92.5 million to Ashwaubenon and Brown County over 20 years.

The Village Board decided not to pursue the proposal after a May 2 board meeting where about 100 residents voiced their opposition.

The plan may yet be put to referendum in Aswaubenon. After the May 2 meeting, a group of residents circulated petitions asking that the casino project go before voters. The group needs to collect 977 signatures.

Even if Ashwaubenon turns down the proposal, Brown County Executive Nancy Nusbaum has said she would not oppose casino plans without examining them, a stance that has encouraged the Lac du Flambeau to keep looking locally.

The financial benefits would be a boon for the town of Lawrence, which has lost almost 2,000 acres to annexation by De Pere and Ashwaubenon since 1997, Lawrence Town Chairman Tom Perock said.

The village of Howard is also receptive to a casino proposal but talks are preliminary until Ashwaubenon makes a final decision, Village President Bob Strazishar said.

But problems could arise with a site in Hobart, which falls within the boundaries of the original Oneida reservation.

An off-reservation casino requires the land to be placed into trust, which would be difficult to do with property that once was part of another tribe's reservation, Town Chairman Len Teresinski said.

The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs would consult with the Oneida before approving such a trust application, said Dawn Selwyn, regional gaming specialist in Minneapolis.