Bingo-hall ruling could take up to several years
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation believe they have the right to build a casino on tribal land.
ROCKFORD REGISTER STARSHABBONA - Residents of this rural DeKalb County town of about 1,000 people are awaiting a ruling by the federal government as to whether an Indian bingo hall can be built here.
Ruth Anne Tobias, DeKalb County Board chairman, said the board and local officials are still negotiating with members of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, which operates a casino on 80 acres of reservation land in Mayetta, Kan., and bought a 128-acre farm here last year for $8.8 million.
The Indian nation has said it wants to open a 24-hour bingo hall here. It believes the land it bought is tribal land and federal law allows casinos on such land.
Tobias said the county has asked the federal government to rule on the matter.
Federal officials said it could be many months, maybe even a couple of years, before a decision is reached on the land because of the scope of the research that is needed.
Officials do not expect any building to occur right away as negotiations between the two sides continue.
Two public meetings last week were attended by hundreds of residents and local and state officials who outlined where things stand.
In April, the County Board voted 12-11 to allow intergovernmental talks with members of the Potawatomi nation, some of whom attended last week's meetings.
Tribal leaders have said they want to work with the community to address their financial and other concerns.
"I think, unfortunately, people are feeling a little less empowered right now," Tobias said. "I think they realize there is not much more that can be done until the land determination (by the federal government) is made.
"The next step is we'll get the lawyers together and the negotiating team and look at where we stand."