Nearly 200 people packed the Grove Community Center last week for the organizational meeting of No Casino In Grove. This is a newly formed citizens group opposed to the Seneca Cayuga Tribe’s plan to build a large gambling facility within the city limits.The most dramatic part of the evening was a courageous lady wearing sunglasses who testified of the destruction casino gambling had brought to her and her family. She spoke of gambling with the rent and food money in the belief that she would “win big” and be able to pay her bills with the winnings. But the big win never came and she lost everything.

Someone else told of a seven year old boy riding his bicycle to the casino looking for his mother.

One of the speakers pointed out that gambling is just as addictive as drugs or pornography. Almost everyone knows someone whose life has been damaged or destroyed by gambling addiction.

The proposal to build a huge casino in Grove, similar in size and scope to the Cherokee Casino near Catoosa, would forever change the atmosphere of our city. For decades Grove has been known as a family-oriented recreation and retirement community. For many years we have been listed as one of the most desirable communities in America in which to retire.

All of that will dramatically change if this casino is allowed to be built. Many people have the mistaken belief that Indian tribes in America can do whatever they want. But that’s not true. Everything they do is regulated and controlled by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Every casino proposal must go through a highly regulated process that includes Environmental Impact Studies, Army Corp of Engineers approval, economic impact studies and host of other requirements. The proposal must be submitted to the regional BIA office, and if approved is then submitted to the Secretary of the Interior for final approval. If approved by the secretary, the tribe must then sign a contract with the governor of the state.

This casino could be stopped at any of these stages in the process. At the meeting last week, attendees were asked to write letters to U.S. Senators Inhofe and Coburn requesting their help in this matter. Letters have also been written to Governor Brad Henry asking him to instruct the attorney general to investigate potential violations of the state gaming laws.

The Seneca Cayuga Tribe has been mired in a similar fight in New York for years. A well organized citizens group in Oregon has successfully stopped an Indian casino from being built in the Columbia River Gorge. We can say no!

Information on writing our U.S. Senators and links to other citizens groups fighting gambling expansion can be found on the new website; www.nogrovecasino.com.