The Madison City Council decided Tuesday to recommend the Dane County Board vote to hold a county-wide referendum on whether the Ho-Chunk Nation should be allowed to expand its bingo facility at DeJope, 4002 Evan Acres Rd., into a full-service casino.
After discussion with local business owners and lawyers for the Ho-Chunk Nation, the council voted unanimously to recommend that voters decide whether a casino would be right for the city.
According to City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, under the agreement Gov. Jim Doyle signed with the American Indian tribes in April, a referendum vote against a casino would be the only way to stop one from being built.
\It was really the only realistic strategy we could take under the compact negotiated by the governor,"" he said. ""Frankly, Mayor Cieslewicz and most members of the city council, including myself, oppose an expansion of gambling in our community. We oppose a casino in Madison. But under the compact, the only way for us to have any hope of stopping a casino is by holding a referendum. If we do not hold a referendum in 2004, the governor can unilaterally allow a casino without any input from the community.""
Verveer also said he and other council members do not feel a casino is the way to develop Madison's economy.
""This isn't a good way of fostering economic development, with low-wage, low-benefit jobs at this casino on the interstate,"" he said. ""Frankly, I don't want Madison to be known for having a large casino.""
Verveer added he also opposes the casino because it will lead to increased social problems, traffic congestion and competition for the newly revitalized downtown area.
Ald. Steve Holtzman, District 19, said he believes the referendum will pass because there will be a lot of campaigning for a casino and little against it.
""I think the deal is very good for the city of Madison,"" he said. ""I would think the referendum would pass with 70 or 75 percent of the vote.""
Verveer said while he opposes the casino, he thinks the voters could allow it.
""I think that the referendum has a good chance of passing because no longer are casinos seen as a foreign concept,"" he said. ""There have been several operating in Wisconsin for years.""
The council also allowed a new parking ramp on the UW-Madison's west campus, with the condition that the university agree to increase development of transportation alternatives.
