Grant Parish Jury Asks Governor Blanco to Approve Jena Band Owned Casino

On June 14th, 2007, most residents from Grant Parish who attended the policy jury meeting spoke against the plan to build an Indian casino in their area, but the juror, who earlier had voted against the casino plans in a 6-1 vote, voted 5-1 to ask the governor to approve the measure.

The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians want to construct on 40.5 acres of land located in Creola, a village near the Rapides Parish Line off U.S. Highway 167. The location is about 12 miles from Alexandria.

The land is the biggest of six in the Grant and LaSalle parishes that the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs designated last April 2007 as the tribal reservation of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians.

That would automatically mean that the tribe could operate a bingo facility in the area but the tribe wants to operate slot machines and casino table games like those at the three other Indian operated casino facilities in Louisiana.

The vote that day was on a decision asking Governor Kathleen Blanco to talk about a state gaming compact with the Jena Tribe.

Gov. Blanco refused, saying that she is against gambling, according to tribal chairman Christine Norris. Norris said that with or without the governor's approval, they will pursue the construction of the casino.

She also said that they want the residents of Grant Parish to benefit from the whole thing. Leo Lytle of the Christway Church and Pastor Daniel O'Reagan of Colfax Baptist Church are two of the most critical speakers against the casino proposal.

The Jurors commented that the casino will be constructed in some way and the Grant Parish faces rising expenses and dropping revenue. Jurors said they are not in favor of gambling but would not reject the opportunity to have a million dollars revenue for the parish.

Grant Parish Manager Sam Brimer said that the casino plans will happen and there is nothing they can do to block it.

08/19/2007 23:59 PM