Here is the Friends of the Gorge's concerns and comment options:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5111/t/1543/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=88

And The Hood River News article, 1-28-08:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2008/007_news_7.htm

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

I heard Friends of the Gorge representatives attended yesterday's hearing in Hood River,  this notice was on their website:

After an outpouring of public concern at a hearing on February 12, the Gorge Commission has decided that they will keep the record open and continue to take public comment on the proposed destination resort.  The Commission will  hear more in-person testimony at their next meeting on March 11. Great job to everyone who who spoke out!

To learn more about what you can do, please contact: kelley@gorgefriends.org  or can TAKE ACTION NOW!

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Hi folks, I attended a meeting with Friends of the Gorge last night, and this was one of the topics discussed - it's pretty MAJOR, and I just wanted to pass on more info for you to keep updated, and what you can do - as every voice and letter counts! Some things to keep in mind about our precious Gorge that were presented: The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area includes land from 6 counties and 13 metro/towns (OR and WA)...there are 800 species of wildflowers, 15 of those species that exist no where else in the world...300 species of birds, and at least 77 waterfalls  - the largest concentration of waterfalls in North America... but all of this and more would be threatened with the  proposed casino in Cascade Locks - it would be at least the size of 5 Portland city blocks, 6 stories high, with expansion years after a reality, and is estimated to bring in 3 MILLION visitors a year!...  Please read_more_here , you can electronically respond here:  CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION!  

To find out or participate more, there are 5 public hearings scheduled: http://www.gorgecasinoeis.com/

Here's another article with info: http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20stories/2008/017_news_2.htm

Please take heed of this seriously, and submit your comments no later than MAY 15, 2008!

 

Thank you,

Jane

 

 

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Good information, Jane!

It's simple and fast to submit this letter as it is already written for you, although, you have the ability to change it if you want. If the letter suits you, all you have to do is fill in the form with your information and send it on. Remember to have 5 of you closest friend's email addresses on hand when you submit yours as it gives you the option to send it on as well.

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"Security is mostly superstition. <snip> Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all" Helen Keller

Reminder of public meetings this week:

Wednesday March 12, 2008
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Rock Creek Center
710 SW Rock Creek Drive
Stevenson, Washington

Thursday March 13, 2008
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Doubletree Hotel, Lloyd Center
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, Oregon

Monday March 17, 2008
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Hood River Middle School Auditorium
1602 May Street
Hood River, Oregon

...........................

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

The main editorial in today's Sunday Oregonian comes out in favor of this casino should anyone want to write in and present an opposing view.

Does anyone have any realistic/earth friendly ideas on developing employment opportunities in the Gorge/Hood River/Cascade Locks area?  It seems to me that in today's economy the employment angle would be the most difficult part of the pro casino arguement to refute.  The "tree hugger"   arguements concerning natural heritage and preserving the environment/future generations are pretty straight forward. 

Edit:

"Building an off-reservation casino is the most feasible way for the tribe to reverse its deteriorating financial condition."  Sunday Oregonian

How exactly did we arrive at this conclusion?  What are the other options?  How does a large casino affect the cultural integrity of the Warm Springs Tribe?

"The plan advanced by the tribes does a good job of minimizing its impact on the landscape. And we are mindful of the economic boost it would give the community in and around Cascade Locks." Sunday Oregonian.

How do you minimize the impact of three million visitors annually?  I don't know if one freeway interchange will cut it. 

 

 

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"There's always more, a little further--it never ends." Jack Kerouac

What's wrong with building a casino say on reservation lands in like....Warm Springs???

Warm Springs isn't exactly a thriving economic utopia. They could use the economic stimulus that everyone at the oregroanian is gushing about.

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"There is this to be said for walking: It's the one mode of human locomotion by which a man proceeds on his own two feet, upright, erect, as a man should be, not squatting on his rear haunches like a frog." --Edward Abbey

Jane:

Reminder of public meetings this week:

Wednesday March 12, 2008
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Rock Creek Center
710 SW Rock Creek Drive
Stevenson, Washington

Thursday March 13, 2008
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Doubletree Hotel, Lloyd Center
1000 NE Multnomah
Portland, Oregon

Monday March 17, 2008
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Hood River Middle School Auditorium
1602 May Street
Hood River, Oregon

...........................

Here is the Oregonian's article of the March 10 meeting...

"The race to site a casino closer to Portland will have no winner and no end," said Ron Carroll, a Mosier resident. "Do not trade this awesome display of our Mother Earth for silver and gold." ...

article: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/120520591785220.xml&coll=7

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

I was able to attend the Portland hearing last night....standing in line for almost an hour then listened to 4 hours of testimonies...it was powerful and a learning experience on many levels that I will never forget. There is NO easy answer for this issue, I see that now more than ever. I took 7 pages of notes, but havn't had a chance to reflect on them yet... Here's the Oregonian's abbreviated report:   http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1205474111282060.xml&coll=7

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Jane:

I was able to attend the Portland hearing last night....standing in line for almost an hour then listened to 4 hours of testimonies...it was powerful and a learning experience on many levels that I will never forget. There is NO easy answer for this issue, I see that now more than ever.

Hi Jane,

Just a quick thank you for being there and thinking about what you heard. I don't really have a firm opinion on the issue, but I applaud your interest, the time you devoted and your open listening to all of the various opinions. That kind of open-minded involvement is exceedingly rare in our modern world.

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What do you suppose is around that next bend?

Jane,

   Thankyou for up-dating everyone on this horrific casino proposal.  It is perhaps the worst, most exploitative concept to assault the Gorge conceivably in it's history.  It is estimated that a million more cars a year will pass through the Gorge should this occur.  In addition to that, Gorge lands that are currently fighting tooth and nail for more protective status will be overcome by financeers seeking to utilize the wild spaces for profit.  I think that it is shameful that an Indian reservation community, of all people, would place monitary gain above preservation of a national treasure.  I am hoping against hope that the tide of rose-colored emotion regarding a potential casino, will be balanced and beaten by a solid preservation ethic, something I think Oregon has an admirable history of.  I guess we will all just have to watch to see which element of human nature wins out in this scenario.

 

Thanks all, I also respect other's opinions as well. Here is a well-written article from the Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/12055443089430.xml&coll=7

and previous articles: http://search.oregonlive.com/sp?aff=100&keywords=casino

 

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

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"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard

Great article Jane!  Everyone needs to read it.  Any idea who the author is?  I didn't see a by-line.

-Zach

It didn't list the author, it was in the online editorial/opinions..but maybe it was David Wu as mentioned at the end of the article? 

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Jane Garbisch - Site Sherpa

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We are here on the planet only once.... might as well get a feel for the place."
- Annie Dillard