People Against a Casino Town
News from PACT
PACT lawsuit against governor filed today

 
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2003

LAWSUIT AGAINST GOVERNOR FILED TODAY
Wednesday, December10, 2003


People Against a Casino Town (PACT), a grassroots group opposing a casino in Florence, has filed a lawsuit against Governor Ted Kulongoski in Lane County Circuit Court. The lawsuit, essentially, asks the court to declare a casino compact between the State of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians  is invalid, and prevent the placement of a casino near the small coastal town of Florence.

Dewberry, spokesperson for PACT, said "A couple of weeks ago, the Oregon Supreme Court declined to hear PACT's constitutional challenges. In going directly to Oregon's highest court, we had hoped to save money, judicial time and effort.  But the Supreme Court apparently prefers the longer road be taken. So, we filed our lawsuit in Lane County Circuit Court today."

"Federal law requires that the state and the tribe enter into a valid compact before a casino can open its doors. In proceeding with a compact, Governor Kulongoski has chosen to ignore the State Constitution's provision against casinos - as well as the legitimate concerns of Florence-area residents," Dewberry said.  PACT believes the Governor’s decision was illegal, and that the resulting compact is void.

The PACT group will hold an informational meeting in Florence on Thursday evening, at 7:00 pm, in the Florence Events Center to explain the lawsuit to the residents of Florence.

Contributions can be made to:
People Against a Casino Town
P.O. Box 978
Florence, Oregon 97439
 


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