Anonymous Anti-Casino Flyers And Robo Calls Target Elk Grove Residents
ELK GROVE (CBS13) - It was standing room only at the Elk Grove City council meeting tonight as many residents came out in strong opposition to a proposed casino project. This comes just days after casino opponents have been targeting residents with phone calls and flyers.
The public had its first chance to comment on a local tribe's plan to build a casino on a vacant lot, and was supposed to be an agenda item at the council meeting. But the indian tribe behind this project requested this item be postponed. That didn't stop dozens from coming out with real concerns -- hoping to put pressure on elected officials to stop this casino from being built.
"If you don't want your children here, then vote against, we don't want it," said one man.
"If I knew I'd live next to a casino, I wouldn't have moved here," said one person.
It was a show of opposition from concerned Elk Grove residents who packed city council chambers Wednesday night, some spilling into the hallway.
"It's a big distraction to kids trying to find a way through life," said John Vishaj, who is opposed to the casino.
Just one week after Wilton Rancheria's tribe chairman held a public discussion revealing renderings of a 12-story, 302-room casino and resort plan off Highway 99, the public now had their chance to make their voices heard.
"The great possibility of bringing in crime and all the other things that come along with it," said Robynn, an Elk Grove resident.
"More riff-raff, not to mention, traffic," said another area resident.
From crime concerns to traffic congestion and disturbing the family environment of Elk Grove, there were still some people who stood up in support.
"This is a good opportunity," said Harold Ayers, who supports the casino.
"It's about the opportunity to live community, have fun. The jobs thing is huge, really huge," said casino supporter Larry Castles.
"It brings more jobs, more revenue," said Kevin Tse.
Anonymous robo calls, an anti-casino website, and flyers had gone out prior to the council meeting encouraging people to speak out against the casino, left many asking whose behind it?
"I don't know who sent the mailer but they should own up to it because it's false and irresponsible," said Wilton Rancheria Chairman Raymond C. Hitchcock.
Nowhere on the flier or the website was any individual or group named as the responsible party.
"Whose paying for the robo calls and mailings," said one resident.
Elk Grove's Mayor also wants to know whose behind it.
The existing infrastructure in this long-time empty land in Elk Grove next to an unfinished mall project is the reason why its preferred over locations in Galt and at the Wilton Rancheria.
The tribe says the casino would boost the economy, and open up more than 2,000 jobs.
""My father always told me, not all money is good money, and this is not good money," said one man.
As of right now, the people can't vote on the issue. It's currently going through a federal approval process
Meanwhile, the tribe is working with local officials to come to with a plan to eventually reimburse the city for their costs.
A previous version of this web story incorrectly attributed a quote to the wrong person and has been corrected.