A typical casino scene. Photo by Thierry, Creative Commons

Recently, REAL Desert News featured a story about a San Diego area reservation called the Los Coyotes tribe applying to open a casino in Barstow, almost 100 miles away.  In the wake of that story, another distant tribe is also competing for the right to open a casino.

The Chemehuevi operate another casino in Lake Havasu, near their reservation on the California side of the border.  They are actually an offshoot of the Paiutes, and can say that their ancestors once roamed the area around Barstow.  At least, it’s possible.

The Chemehuevi have tried to stop the Los Coyotes tribe in the past, saying that the Los Coyotes have no ancestral ties to the area around Barstow.  This, however, is besides the point.  A federal memo was sent out a few years ago saying that the issue is that casinos must be built within “a reasonable commute” from the reservation.  The issue is the distance, of which the Los Coyotes tribe is much more closer (though still far away).

For the Los Coyotes tribe, the commute is a little more than 100 miles.  For the Chemehuevi – 220 miles!    Of the two tribes, the Los Coyotes tribe is the poorest and would benefit the most.  The Chemehuevi, after all, have another casino near their reservation.

The City of Barstow, of course, wouldn’t mind both tribes starting a casino in the city, as it just means more revenue.

If both tribes can get past the federal requirement, two Indian casinos rather than one seems to be the likely outcome.

Though the Chemehuevi have tried to block the Los Coyotes in the past, they do say that a competing casino would be welcome.

Mayor Joe Gomez is also in support of having two casinos, and is working to make sure there are no snags to hold up the process.

Barstow Mayor Joe Gomez showed up at Monday’s City Council meeting, declaring in front of council that the allegations are false.

To be fair, he has not been proven guilty.  And public figures (like mayors) are commonly accused of wrongdoing.

“Gomez also explained that he decided to remain silent last week to allow the authorities to investigate the matter. He said that on advice on his attorney, he would not be making any further public comments about the allegations.” (quoted from The Desert Dispatch).

I wonder what I would do if someone accused me of something like that. I think I’d do the same thing Mayor Gomez is doing: stay calm and allow the investigation to be carried out.

So mayor, it’s reasonable to assume you are innocent. Are we not merciful?

And he’s been “out of town” since Sunday.

Wherever he is, it seems he’s already got himself an attorney to represent him.

Interesting stuff going on in Barstow!