Fair to highlight possible casino jobs

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 9:13 a.m.

ANTHONY, N.M. -- Jemez Pueblo and Santa Fe developer and art dealer Gerald Peters are planning a series of job fairs to highlight the employment opportunities a proposed off-reservation casino might bring to southern New Mexico.

The northern New Mexico pueblo and Peters are seeking approval from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to build a casino in Anthony.

Dave Wilson, spokesman for Peters' Circle P Investments, said a speaker will give presentations about the types of jobs a casino would bring and the salaries that would be offered. Also, exhibits will focus on the pueblo and gaming industry.

"It will be more detailed information about the types of jobs the casino could create," Wilson said. "You will walk away saying: there's a lot of different opportunities here. These aren't lousy, low-paying jobs that the opposition is trying to paint them as."

The pueblo has said a casino would bring 950 jobs to the area. Opponents argue the jobs wouldn't be new, but rather a redistribution of current jobs in Dona Ana County.

Joe Monahan, spokesman for the Committee to Protect Dona Ana County, said the upcoming presentations are premature because the casino has yet to be approved. The committee is backed by Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino owner Stan Fulton, who opposes the Anthony casino.