Casino supporters thrilled, opponents chilled by new deal

By Doug Stohlberg

As expected, casino supporters were happy and opponents disappointed with the news that the Department of Interior will again review the Four Feathers' casino application.

Although disappointed with the settlement, casino opponent Nancy Bieraugel still claims the casino "will never be approved."

She said the same reasons for the original denial still exist.

Supporters, however, see the settlement as some sort of poetic justice. Former Mayor Tom Redner said the casino had a positive response from the regional office of the Interior Department in 1994 and 1995. He thinks the project was sidetracked by what he called "political altering" in Washington.

Opponent Nancy Bieraugel

Bieraugel, a member of the St. Croix County Board, said the casino still faces many hurdles, including the fact the facility faces opposition from both local residents and politicians.

"There are no elected officials that represent us who support the casino," Bieraugel said. "Letters of opposition still exist."

She named, among the political opponents, U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and since-departed politicians, Congressman Steve Gunderson and State Representative Sheila Harsdorf.

"I've also heard that State Sen. Alice Clausing is against the casino," Bieraugel said. "Every member of the Hudson City Council still opposes the casino; the town of Troy is against it. If we continue to elect candidates who oppose the casino, it will never be approved."

Bieraugel mentioned a new reason which she expects will add more ammunition to the denial list. The agreement calls for the tribes to submit an expanded environmental statement.

"We don't know what the impact will be on our Wild and Scenic River (St. Croix River)," Bieraugel said. "Most of the patrons will come from Minnesota which will increase traffic and pollution which could impact the river."

Bieraugel, however, expects to gear up for another battle.

"We may have to go see the governor again and show him that we haven't changed," Bieraugel said.

She was disappointed that the Department of Interior didn't stick with the original ruling.

"I believe the Department wants to give Indians every opportunity to better themselves," Bieraugel said. "The combination of wanting to help Indians and the lawsuit, the department agreed to a settlement. The Department, however, has not admitted doing anything wrong and I believe the original decision was valid and will still stand after further consideration."

Supporter Tom Redner

Redner was mayor of Hudson when the city entered into an agreement with Four Feathers. The city, county and school district all signed agreements to accept payments for services if the casino is approved. After Redner left office, the city council passed a resolution against the casino, sparking the $170 million lawsuit against the city. That suit is still pending.

"From what I see, this settlement gives the process a chance to be done right," Redner said. "The process was altered four years ago at the federal level."

Redner speculates that the ultimate outcome looks "fairly well" for the applicants.

"Based on the history of this application, I think there is a good chance it will succeed," Redner said. "Everything we knew back then appeared favorable. There was some merit to the application back then, and that same merit is still present."

Redner said he suspects the Department of Interior must feel that mistakes were made during the application process. If not, he said the department would not have agreed to a settlement that reverses the original decision.

Redner said he supports the casino project because he expects to see a tremendous economic impact.

"There is going to be some trickle-down effect," Redner said. "It can be a real benefit to the city. I'm happy that the Department of Interior is going to take another look at it."

Opponent Tom Irwin

Another opponent, Tom Irwin, said the case has been reopened because "there is gold in these hills of Hudson for gambling developers."

Irwin, a St. Croix County Board supervisor, said the issue is not about Indian tribes bettering their lives.

"It's about big-time people from Florida, like Mr. Havenick, trying to force his casino on our community," Irwin said. "By using lawsuits they have battered the Department of Interior into giving them a second chance at Hudson.

"When does 'no' really mean 'no?' We have been under attack by gambling interests for more than 10 years. As long as they believe they can change our minds they will keep at us with both promises of money and bully tactics, like lawsuits."

Irwin said it is important that the community remain opposed to the casino and not be intimidated by lawsuits.

"We kept them out before and we can keep them out again," Irwin said. "My read on the mood of the people is that they are more opposed to it now than before."

Supporter Sandra Berg

Longtime Hudson business woman and political activist Sandra Berg, however, sees the settlement as an opportunity to have the casino application processed properly.

"I've never cared about the outcome, but I want the process to be fair," Berg said. "Everyone should be treated fairly, whether it's the poorest Indian or the wealthiest developer."

Berg has long believed that the White House intervened in the application process.

"The application was sailing along up until a point," Berg said. "Then it was derailed. I believe the White House had something to do with it. Somehow, the process was corrupted."

She said the process can now begin at the point at which it was derailed.

"The Department can now take an objective look and have the process completed as it was intended," Berg said. "Whatever the outcome - so be it, as long as the process is followed properly."

She believes the process will be followed to the letter.

"The Department of Interior doesn't want to risk having another lawsuit," Berg said.

Opponent Bill Cranmer

Longtime dog and casino opponent Bill Cranmer wants to see the governor end the issue immediately.

"I think to it is time for the people and elected officials throughout the Hudson area to press the governor to veto the casino proposal," Cranmer said. "He could veto it right now. I would like to see our representatives in the legislature help lead the campaign, just as Sheila Harsdorf did in 1995."

Timing

Nobody is sure of the exact timing of the casino application process.

Casino supporters Berg and Redner think the process could go fairly quickly.

"They don't have to go back to square one," Redner said. "They will pick up where they left off, so I assume it won't go too long."

Berg said she believes that most every argument that can be heard, has been heard.

"If the process is followed quickly, we could know by April or May," Berg speculated.

Opponents Irwin and Bieraugel did not make an estimate as to the decision timetable.

"I just don't know," Bieraugel said.