People Against a Casino Town

News from PACT

August 28, 2003 PRESS RELEASE ANTI-CASINO GROUP PLANS LAWSUIT PACT (People Against a Casino Town) will file a lawsuit asking the courts declare the state's compact with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians allowing a gambling casino is a violation of the Oregon constitution. Former Governor Kitzhaber signed the compact during the closing minutes of his administration. PACT Spokesperson Susie Dewberry stated, "New York¹s highest court recently ruled the compact process was contrary to both federal and state constitutions.  Constitutional challenges to casino compacts have been successful in other states." Dewberry said, "After consulting with attorneys across the nation, we believe that a strong case exists here in Oregon. The attorneys who will be filing the PACT suit will bring the concerned members of the community up to date on the litigation at a public meeting at the Florence Events Center at 7:00 p.m., on September 4, 2003." Dewberry said, "PACT has worked hard publicly to educate the community as to the detrimental effects a casino will have on Florence. The support from our city council and county commissioners, who have indicated strong opposition to this casino, is indicative of the broad public sentiment against a casino.   "The gambling industry has worked just as hard behind the scenes for many years greasing the skids down which small, off-reservation communities become casino towns - without any say in the matter. We are confident, however, that community support and the Oregon Constitution will give back to the people of Florence the right of choice. We are encouraging everyone who supports that right to attend the September 4 meeting to hear Eugene attorneys William Sherlock and E. Bradley Litchfield and nationally recognized constitutional law attorney, Alexis H. Johnson."

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