Gaming briefs for Sept. 5, 2003

Friday, Sept. 5, 2003 | 11:14 a.m.

Casino foes try to recall council

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Recall fever has infected Rohnert Park, where citizens opposed to a proposed Indian casino announced plans to try and recall the entire city council.

Casino opponents filed recall papers Wednesday against the entire council, saying they had "breached the public trust" by talking with the Graton tribe, which wants to build a casino resort next to the city.

Rohnert Park resident Larry Resnick, a retired mechanical engineer, submitted paperwork with the city clerk. It's the first step to forcing a recall election that could cost the city as much as $72,000.

Casino opponents, part of the StopTheCasino101.com group, believe Mayor Armando Flores and council members Greg Nordin, Amie Spradlin, Jake Mackenzie and Vicki Vidak-Martinez have failed to represent a large segment of citizens who don't want a casino in the area.

At a packed hearing last week, council members voted 5-0 to negotiate with the Graton band of Indians, which has selected a 360-acre county site adjacent to Rohnert Park city limits for a casino-hotel complex. The tribe's partner is Station Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas.

Wynn lobbyist proposes casinos

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A lobbyist whose clients include Las Vegas gambling king Steve Wynn has proposed bringing not only slots machines, but full-fledged casinos to Maryland.

The proposed legislation by Annapolis lobbyist Edward O. Wayson, who represents Wynn Resorts of Las Vegas and a company seeking to buy Rosecroft Raceway in Oxon Hill, would make Maryland one of the nation's leading gambling states, trailing only Nevada and New Jersey.

The proposal also would allow for thousands of slot machines at four horse racing tracks and off-track betting parlors.

Legislative leaders, however, were skeptical casinos would be part of the mix if expanding gambling is approved.

"From a practical standpoint, I think that's just a pipe dream," said House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Anne Arundel. "I don't see any legislative support for a proposal like that."

Gov. Robert Ehrlich, who has supported legalizing slots machines at racetracks, has said he is opposed to casinos.

"The original game plan remains the same: to install (slots) at racetracks," Ehrlich spokeswoman Shareese DeLeaver said. "It was never the goal to make Maryland into a New Jersey or a Las Vegas."