An article in todays The Oregonian about the Warm Springs tribes efforts to open a casino in a more profitable location and the Grand Rhonde (Spirit Mountain) effort to keep the Portland market share they enjoy. The Warm Springs casino, Indian Head Gaming Center, is'nt very convienent to the Portland area so they want to move closer. Not mentioned in this chapter of the saga is the fact that the Hood River location is in a regional scenic preservation district, the Columbia River gorge and a casino would be a real blot on the landscape. No problem, as an economically distressed town 20 miles west would welcome the casino with minimal impact on the gorge. Well, we've got a mean little man for governor who likes to dictate morality and wants the tribe to stay on their plantation, er, reservation. Of course throw in the jolly federal agency of Indian Affairs as a loose cannon because they may well approve the scenic disaster.
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