Brown starts petition against casino at Konocti Harbor

Print

 

Brown began circulating the petitions around his district Wednesday.


The petition reads: “We the undersigned adamantly oppose any consideration of a casino development on the property known as Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. We are asking that our county, state and federal representatives also oppose this or any other similar project that does not have our support.”


Kenwood Investments -- led by lobbyist Darius Anderson and his partner, Jay Wallace -- currently is seeking to purchase the property from the UA Local Convalescent Fund, which has owned the resort since 1959, according to a previous interview with Peter Windrem, who represents the fund.


Brown said he has information Kenwood is looking at opening a casino at the resort. “I am certain that they are dealing with at least five tribes in the county and in surrounding areas.”


Brown reported that the group of five tribes are from Upper Lake, Lower Lake, Pinoleville, Potter Valley and Scotts Valley, and that they are seeking a tribal compact with the state to place a casino on the site once it's purchased.


He said he'll have more information next week on the plan, but has started the petition in the mean time.


When asked on Wednesday about the casino plan, Windrem said, “I have no knowledge of that whatsoever.”


Anderson and Wallace are well connected, said Brown, and have the power to get such a plan through.


Brown said he wants to see Konocti Harbor remain a viable operation, but that he'll do “everything possible to make sure a casino isn't part of that.”


He added, “The people that I represent want nothing to do with a casino out there.”


Brown invited anyone interested in getting a petition or signing one to contact him at his office, 263-2368.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..