Louisiana tribe drops casino proposal

Monday, March 18, 2002 | 10:57 a.m.

IUKA, Miss. -- The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians has abandoned plans for a reservation and casino in Tishomingo County.

Jena Band Tribal Council member Jerry Jackson said the Louisiana tribe had withdrawn its application with the Bureau of Indian Affairs after spending months trying to drum up support for the project.

"When we could not gain local support and when the governor's office came out against our project, then we didn't feel like we wanted to move forward," Jackson said.

Jackson said he is disappointed the Mississippi venture did not work. He said his tribe "just couldn't overcome the local preachers. They made it a moral issue instead of being a business proposition."

Fifth Street Baptist Church pastor Rev. Tony Curtis, the leader of a movement known as Citizens Against Legalized Gambling, was pleased with the tribe's decision.

"We are thrilled that they respected the people's voice and decided to withdraw their application," Curtis said.

In a nonbinding straw poll last June, Tishomingo County electors voted against the proposition by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent.

The board of supervisors also voted 3-2 against supporting the tribe's plan to establish a reservation for the purpose of gaming.