Wisconsin casino plan finds new life

Wednesday, May 24, 2000 | 10:24 a.m.

Coordinator Mer Meyer said more than 1,000 people signed petitions. Organizers needed 977 signatures to ask for the election.

Meyer said the petitions will go to the village clerk next week.

The petitions call for a referendum on the casino this year but there is no specific date for a vote, Meyer said.

The Lac du Flambeau band of Chippewa proposed building the casino.

They offer to split $92.5 million in casino profits with the village and Brown County over 20 years.

The community also would have access to the parking garage during some Packers games.

Village board President Ted Pamperin said he hopes to hold a town meeting after the village board receives the petitions. Even with the signatures, the board is not required to hold a referendum.

When the Chippewa first proposed the casino plan, Pamperin said he would seek a village referendum on the project.

But the village board voted unanimously May 3 to reject the project after what was described as strong opposition from the neighborhood where the casino was proposed.

Meyer said he organized the referendum drive because the village board "got weak" in the face of opposition.

"It upset me. I was expecting it to go to a vote," he said.