Determined to override Congress and the people of California, Amador's supervisors have ended in a muddle.
Since 2003, when the Plymouth casino appeared, the supes have concentrated on confounding Plymouth's casino issue and, later, Buena Vista's. Conveying unsubstantiated/exaggerated information and silencing anyone who dared question. In 2003, the late board Chairman Mario Biagi set the stage by firing up anti-casino emotions countywide and pounding Plymouth's getting nearly $100 million while others were getting squat. He failed to mention Plymouth was only insuring Plymouth; all others had to insure themselves. Heeding his pleas, all others refused to insure. Today, two supes remaining from that board are still refusing. A third, with the two new members, now publicly opt for getting the money.
However, hiding behind a curious 2-2 vote, the supes still officially refuse to insure. Squandering four years fostering their dislike of gambling, the allotted time for the supes to come with straight information arrived. Due to face a mediator, the supes pondered, then fessed. Holding $7.7 million in faulty self-serving claims, they chose not to show up, leaving Amador's place at the arbitrator's table empty.
Throughout, the supes steadfastly ignored the lessons, failures and penalties of others who tried to stop casinos, Roseville being a prime example. Totally ignoring the economic, employment and socio-enviro benefits of a casino, the supes left civic responsibility in their desk drawer. Ultimately unwilling to expose their four-year ignominy, but willing to risk putting more financial hardships on all, the supes left their constituents at the mercy of the governor. Not a good spot when he's facing economic disaster, wants casino money and is a victim of Amador officials' disdain. Refusing to arbitrate and officially opposing his programs is disdain. Obviously, Amador has a fly in its ointment.
The conflict of interest charade evidences leaders' toxic tactics and slighting of power. All year those promulgating anti-casino policies overlooked "conflict" as long as any "tainted" vote was favorable. When the "tainted" vote turned against them, those who had willingly ignored "conflict," expecting to benefit, cried foul. Using the cry as an excuse to concede, the "tainted" supe stepped aside and the "party line" was maintained, leaving people wondering, Who is running the government, the supes or nay-sayers?
Today even the supes are victims - victims of their willingness to divorce facts, divorce duty to inform and annul the common good. Willing victims of the designs and distortions of their compatriots. It's no secret a casino in Buena Vista will create hardships nearby. Sadly, others seized upon those hardships as an opportunity to foster their own selfish political, religious and ethnic causes. With No Casino In Plymouth leaders as torchbearers, casinos became an all encompassing crusade with preachers preaching at Plymouth City Council meetings, elementary kids studying the "ills" of Indian gaming, officials spewing venomous ethnic perceptions, and one official fearing being "doomed to hell" if proactive.
Injurious threats against those perceived as pro-casino have become common. Amador's government parading the former mayor of Plymouth in prison garb for TV was not Amador's finest moment. Likewise, the supes petulant jerking of funding from the chamber of commerce, proving with crusaders nobody is exempt from retaliation or harm. When ideology/bigotry permeates the halls of government, giving those fanatic in desire power, harm doesn't matter. Building support is key.
Already, employee turnover (cleansing) in Plymouth is nearly 100 percent, including a free employee being replaced by an official's now costly friend. Even essential civic volunteers have not been spared, including firefighters. With officials' conduct questioned, spending more trying to defend/makeover their indiscretions is not the answer. Supervisors' refusal to establish the current validity of the old 84 percent they claim justifies today's abuses is inexcusable.
The no-casino propaganda machine to project themselves as the abused souls has already been fired up. When elected officials/group leaders hide their program and muscle their way behind smokescreens and mirrors, rest assured their agenda is not worthwhile. Godspeed.