To MOU or not to MOU, that IS the question. And that is the ONLY question.

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I join with CARS in their concern over our commissioner's confusion over the MOU issue.

The Tribe and the other organized criminal elements are desperate to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with Clark County.

There is little doubt that any such agreement would be illegal and a violation of the Growth Management Act, since any such agreement would arguably assist the Barnett/Mohegan/Paskenta crime syndicate in violating that law.

But more importantly, there is only one question for the County Commission to ask:

Would an MOU make it MORE likely this horrific development would be approved?

Or less?

There can be absolutely no doubt of the answer to that question.

The last MOU was declared illegal by both the Western Washington Growth Management Hearing Board and the Court of Appeals. Since any MOU would aid and abett the Barnett Mafia's violation of the Growth Management Act, there is a likelihood that any new MOU would meet the same fate, making it doubly moronic to engage in such an agreement.

I am disappointed that Commissioner Boldt is allowing Commissioner Stuart, the wholly-owned subsidiary of David Barnett, to pull the wool over his eyes.

The entire focus of the legal staff that we're paying big bucks for down at the County should be to get us out of this... and keep us out of this. Playing footsie with a group that doesn't give a damn about this community is a violation of the public trust.

THE best way to go is to kill this deal now. Community opposition means something. And a signed MOU means just the opposite.

Clark County's MOU confusion

ark County's MOU confusion

For background on the issue, see our Web site. Post your comments on our blog.

Clark County remains mired in confusion over the impact a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Cowlitz Tribe would have on the tribe's casino application. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) -- the agency that will make the final decision -- has, however, sent out clear signals that can be summed up, "If you don't want a casino, don't produce an MOU." First, a key DOI decision maker, George Skibine, told CARS after the tribe's MOU was invalidated in December 2007, that the lack of a valid MOU with Clark County could be "a deal-breaker" for the Cowlitz casino application. (Skibine remains in his role at DOI as a career employee, not a political appointee.) Then, in January 2008, DOI sent out a guidance letter addressing the importance of intergovernmental agreements, such as MOUs. The letter states, "Failure to achieve such agreements should weigh heavily against the approval of the application." When CARS Chairman Ed Lynch addressed the commissioners Tuesday, he urged them not to work with the tribe on a new MOU. He said it could send DOI the message that the county is open to the casino. In 2008 the county went on record opposing the casino. Commissioner Boldt questioned Lynch's connecting a new MOU with casino approval. He asked Lynch about the outcomes of two casino applications in other states, one that had no MOU but was approved and one that had an MOU but was turned down. Comparing those two applications with the Cowlitz project is utterly unhelpful. Those applications were completely different, and other circumstances outweighed the impact of their MOU status. For details, read CARS' response to the commissioners. Please tell your commissioners to say "no deal" to a new MOU with the Cowlitz Tribe. Clark County Board of Commissioners: (360) 397-2232 Marc.Boldt@clark.wa.gov Tom.Mielke@clark.wa.gov Steve.Stuart@clark.wa.gov boardcom@clark.wa.gov >> Post your comments on our blog.

CARS is a local citizens organization that is concerned about the practice of reservation shopping. If you have not yet joined CARS as a member, we invite you to add your name to our membership list at www.NotHerePlease.org. Please forward this to others you think would be interested. If you would like to support our work financially, we welcome your assistance. We are a nonprofit organization -- 501(c)(4) -- but contributions are not tax deductible. CARS PO Box 61808 Vancouver, WA 98666