The Kialegee tribe at the center of a controversial plan to build a casino in Broken Arrow says there is a lot of misinformation about their plans to build at 111th and 129th.
Broken Arrow residents have voiced concerns about the location, citing traffic concerns and proximity to a planned elementary school. Last week the Broken Arrow City Council voted to send a cease and desist letter to the tribe, but that letter is unenforceable. Senator Tom Coburn and Representative John Sullivan have sent letters to the National Indian Gaming Commission and Bureau of Indian Affairs urging them to consider public opinion before making a decision about allowing the casino to be built.
A Kialegee spokesperson says there are some public statements about what has and has not been done regarding the casino and they want to clear the air.
The statement reads in part:
We have been working closely with a team experienced in the development and operation of tribal gaming facilities with special attention being paid to environmental requirements. In addition, we have been working with one of the country’s leading Indian Law and Gaming Law attorneys who has years of experience working with tribes, local governments and federal officials on projects such as this one. The suggestion that any laws or local concerns are being ignored is false.
In response to this statement the Broken Arrow Citizens Against Neighborhood Gambling released a statement to clarify their claims, saying in part:
We appreciate the sentiments of the Kialegee Tribal Town in their recent response in regard to our opposition in suggesting we are misinforming elected officials regarding the law. However as demonstrated by the legal letter memorandum sent to the chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Department of Interior on January 6th, 2012, we will politely but firmly reiterate that our information is factually based.
Congressman John Sullivan will speak out on the casino plans at a public forum on Thursday hosted by the Broken Arrow Citizens Against Neighborhood Gaming. Organizers have also invited several local and state leaders to attend the forum.
The forum will be held at Broken Arrow Assembly at 3500 New Orleans Street. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. the forum will start at 7:30 p.m.
