News Briefs

June 14, 2006

Council members want public vote on possible casino

Three Petaluma City Council members are asking their colleagues to call for a citywide advisory vote on whether a casino should be built south of town.

The measure, which would be on the November ballot and would be non-binding, is seen as a way to gauge whether or not there is community support for a Pomo Indian casino on 277 acres of land between Highway 101 and the Petaluma River, across from Kastania Road.

The Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians, which owns the land and also River Rock Casino in Geyserville, has applied for the federal government to take the land into trust, which would allow a casino, resort or hotel.

The tribe has repeatedly said no casino is planned for the land.

The City Council passed a resolution opposing any Petaluma-area casino.

A draft of the statement voters would be asked to approve in November says the development of a casino on the site "would represent a major extension of urban sprawl" contrary to land-use policies, attract crime and create traffic congestion.

Council members Mike Harris, Mike Healy and Karen Nau want the council to consider the issue at Monday's meeting.

$3.2 million OK'd for new 101 lane in Petaluma

The California Transportation Commission authorized $3.2 million to build an auxiliary lane along a section of southbound Highway 101 in Petaluma.

The money will be used to create an additional southbound lane from Washington Street to the Lakeville Highway overcrossing. The project is part of work to widen the freeway lane in that area and create a longer merging distance for drivers getting on the freeway.

Caltrans is currently expanding the southbound on-ramp at Lakeville Highway. That project is expected to be completed in October.

Living wage urged for Petaluma

A group that wants the Peta-luma City Council to pay a living wage to public employees is sponsoring two events this month in anticipation of such a law being proposed.

On Wednesday, June 14, a screening of the film "Waging a Living: Tales of the Poor Working to Survive in America" will be held at 6:30 in the Petaluma Library.

An audience discussion will follow the screening.

On June 28, a panel of speakers will discuss "A Living Wage for Petaluma: Social Justice and Good Public Policy."

Panelists include Ben Boyce of the Living Wage Coalition, Rev. Tim Kellgren of Elim Lutheran Church, Petaluma City Councilmember Mike Healy, Teresa Hernandez of St. Vincent De Paul Church and Larry Modell of Petaluma Tomorrow.

The forum begins at 6:30 p.m. and will also be held at the library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.

Both events are free. The Living Wage Coalition and its parent organization, New Economy Working Solutions, are the sponsors.

For more information, call 545-7349 ext. 220 or visit www.livingwagesonoma.org.

Flag Day will be observed Saturday

Today is Flag Day, but American Legion Post 28 will celebrate the patriotic occasion with a ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The ceremony will be held in Room A of the Petaluma Veterans Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. South. Refreshments will be served. Residents are asked to drop off old, tattered American flags at the veterans building.

For more information, call 795-8895.