Proposed casino pulled from commission agenda

Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004 | 9:27 a.m.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Dona Ana County commissioners have decided against discussing plans by a northern New Mexico Indian tribe for an off-reservation casino in the southern part of the county.

Commissioner Arturo Terrazas requested that the item be removed from the agenda at Tuesday's meeting. None of the other three commissioners objected.

Jemez Pueblo northwest of Albuquerque and Santa Fe art dealer Gerald Peters plan to seek federal and state approval to build a casino in an area developers say is largely untapped by casino operations.

The agenda item was for discussion of a proposed intergovernmental agreement on how the pueblo would compensate the county for the additional services required by the casino's operation and customers in Anthony.

Under the agreement, the pueblo committed to payments totaling more than $1 million for police, fire and emergency ambulance services over the next 10 years.

In addition, the pueblo pledged $1 million to train local workers who would be given preference in hiring for the 950 jobs that would eventual be created at the casino.

Several county officials said they needed more time to consider the agreement's provisions.

"It's pulling the cart before the horse," said Commissioner Paul Curry, noting the board had not decided whether to endorse the casino's development at all.

Critics of the plan say it would set a dangerous precedent in New Mexico leading to proliferation of off-reservation casinos.