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Legal worries hush talk about proposed casino

Thursday, April 14, 2005 | 9:35 a.m.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Dona Ana County commissioners were reluctant to talk about Jemez Pueblo's proposed off-reservation casino in southern New Mexico because of stipulations spelled out in an agreement between the county and the pueblo.

The previous commission voted in December to approve the agreement, which barred future commissions from opposing the casino in any way.

The issue had been scheduled for a closed session following a regular meeting Tuesday, but the board chose not to discuss it after hearing advice from the county lawyer, said commission Chairman Bill McCamley.

The commissioners were concerned that any negative comments could violate the agreement, leading to a possible lawsuit against the county by the Jemez Pueblo.

McCamley said he thinks the democratic process is being hindered by the agreement.

"If we have issues with parts of the agreement -- as I do -- then we have a problem," McCamley said. "It makes it very difficult for me to represent my constituents in this matter and very difficult for us to do our jobs."

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