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= - "A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 31,1994 - 13 I ETTERS Ward 3 councillor feels project should be downsized To the Editor: As most local residents will be aware, a meeting was held Friday, May 27 between Chief Gary Edgar, his officials and Federal, Provincial and Munici- pal representatives. It was cov- ened to clarify issues surround- ing the charitable gaming facility proposed by the Missis- saugas of Scugog Island. I entered the meeting with two fundamental concerns - 1. A process which does not inform the public. 2. The magnitude of a 25,000 square foot facility and its impact on the community. Some aspects were clarified and it is too bad that other than Chief Edgar, no one has taken the time to point out that there is a significant difference be- tween charitable gaming and casino operations. Although the Editorial writer for the Oshawa Times could find no difference he may have if he'd looked be- yond his handy desktop diction- ary. The province certainly sees a difference. In fact, charitable gaming and casinos are run by entirely separate groups ac- cording to the representatives from the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Charitable gaming is much more limited than are casinos. For example, the maximum bet at a a C.G.F. is $10 (a far cry from the maximum for casinos), also the types of games allowed are restricted, and the bingo prize board is limited. Most, if not all items which have hit the news media recent- ly have dealt with casinos and have nothing to do with C.G.F.s so let's understand what it is we're dealing with and not pour gas on the fire. That being said, let's go back to my two initial concerns - the process and the size of the pro- ject. 1. The Process: At the meet- ing I was critical of the secrecy. Chief Edgar pointed that he had provided details of the project in a letter to the editor of our local papers of Sept. 21, 1993, where: upon he handed me a photocopy of his letter in the Scugog Citi: zen of that date. Therefore my beef is with a province which forces public notice of liquor li- Council concerned about inability to act regarding proposed gaming facility By Scott Anderson Port Perry Star Scugog council is frustrated by its inability to act concerning a proposed gaming facility. Andit plans tolet the Premier of Ontario know its concerns. Although it fell short of call- ing for a delay in the process, noting that it was "a done deal," council resolved on Monday to draft a letter to be sent to Pre- mier Bob Rae expressing the township's concerns. "With a project of this magni- tude, the province must be made aware of the implica- tions," Mayor Hall said. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation is proposing to build and operate a 25,000- square foot charitable gaming facility on native-owned lands on the Island. This facility would feature bingo as well as Monte Carlo- type games such as Blackjack, Roulette and Keno. This proposal is raising the ire of many in the community who feel they should be consult- ed on the matter before the plans are approved. But under the terms of an agreement of self-government, Native Canadians are not re- quired to submit plans concern- ing development to any level of government. The provincial government 1s responsible for issuing the licence for gambling purposes. A meeting was called last week to bring federal, provin- cial, municipal and police offi- cials together to hear the propo- sal fromthe First Nation. But instead of calming the concerns of the concerned par- ties, it did more to frustrate them. "I'm frustrated that the mu- nicipality has no comment whatsoever on what the First Nation does," said Mayor Ho- ward Hall. The mayor, along with Ward 3 Councillor Ken Gadsden rep- resented the township at the meeting. Council is frustrated by its in- ability to have control over any aspect of the facility. Concerns have been raised over the Is- land's sewage and water capaci- ty as well as the increased traf- fic which could result on the Is- land Road. "IT think it's wrong that they (the First Nation) don't have to abide by the same things that everybody else in Scugog must abide with." A group calling themselves The Save the Scugog Island Committee also expressed its concerns during council on Mon- day, calling for council to re- quest the Ontario government to delay the licencing of the fa- cility. cence requests for local restau- rants but doesn't see the need to advise local people of facilities on the horizon which could have far greater impact than wine with dinner. Gord Mills is quoted in the Oshawa Times of May 28, 1994 as stating that people must re- alize that the Mississaugas are self-governing. To the best of my knowledge Native self- government was an issue at the time of the Charlottetown Ac- cord and its implications have yet to be resolved. If that is correct then the province has not reliquished its responsibilities to communities adjoining First Nation Re- serves. Concerns related to wa- ter table, drainage runoff, road capabilities and overall envi- ronmental impact are legiti- mate. Nature tends not to re- spect lines on maps no matter what color the skin of those who draw them. . To his credit, Chief Edgar has said that his people will deal with most of these concerns, however it is my view that his should not be discretionary but rather, mandated by the prov- ince. 2. The Project: It would be hy- pocritical of me to oppose a mod- est-sized facility after having supported the proposal of the Is- lander for a 200 person bingo. But a 25,000 square foot build- ing has the capacity to attract large numbers of patrons, thus creating a significant draw on the water table, parkinglot run- off, potentially severe trafficim- pacts, and septic problems. The majority of Island resi- dents that I have spoken with wish to preserve the quiet coun- try lifestyle that Scugog Island epitomizes. I share that wish CASHWAY GN ENEEIANE but at the same time I recognize the First Nation aspirations for economic advancement. It is a harsh reality and is playing it- self out across North America. I urge the Federal and Pro- vincial authorities to consider the needs of all players in the game when issues such as this arise and in the overall self gov- ernment scenario. Residents wishing to register their views on these issues should write to Premier Bob Rae, Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Marilyn - Churley, Gord Mills, M.P.P., and Alex Shepherd, M.P. In closing, I would commend Chief Gary Edgar for his efforts towards making his people self- sufficient but request that greater consideration be given to downsizing the project. Ken Gadsden. Monday to Wednesday ® 7am to 6pm Thursday & Friday ® 7am to 8pm Saturday ¢ 8am to 5pm & Sunday ® 11am to 4pm FREE DELIVERY CASHWAY BUILDING CENTRES INC. You can depend on us!' Lake Scugog 1910 SCUGOG ST, Hwy. 7A (Scugog St) PORT PERRY fl (HWY. 7A) Cashway TEL: 985-7334 || |, FAX: 985-0803 | [3 |} \W ISH OR EMBERS FIREP WEI HOGS FUEL BILLS |Pacific ENERGY HAVE YOU GOT YOUR WINTER HEATING BILLS? PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR! Pacific Fireplaces & Stoves - Wood & Gas DO IT NOW and SAVE next year and the next and the next... Lindsay 16 Victona Ave. S., (705) 878-4074 60 Vanedward Dr, Unit #7, Port Perry (905) 985-0715 Unit #18, Whitby (905) 668-3366 10 Sunray St.,