Choctaw Chief Beasly Denson wants to ram the casino down Jackson County resident's throat

Newly elected Choctaw Chief Beasley Denson has said he will not abide by the Jackson County referendum. He said it is an issue to be resolved between the Mississippi Band of Choctaws, the governor's office and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Under federal law, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has to approve the casino before it can open. In addition, the Choctaws are required to negotiate a compact with the governor's office before opening a casino.

However, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has approved only three off-reservation casinos in the last 19 years. The proposed Choctaw casino is considered off-reservation since the land it would be built on is located over 220 miles from the tribe's original Neshoba County reservation.

A more difficult issue to overcome, though, could be opposition from the governor's office. Both current Republican Gov. Haley Barbour and Democratic governor nominee John Arthur Eaves Jr. have indicated their opposition to the casino project.

As for the jobs some Jackson County residents think the casino project will bring, Denson has also made it known that he only wants Choctaws in the high paying managerial positions. The casino project offers no benefits to Jackson County and many drawbacks.

• It would not be taxed. The residents of Jackson County could wind up paying for the infrastructure while getting very little in return.
• Denson has demonstrated he doesn't feel bound by Martin's agreements with Jackson County. Any agreement we work out with Denson could be voided by a new chief.
• This is not traditional tribal land, it is 220 miles from their reservation.
• Denson has stated that he only wants Choctaws to hold high paying management positions.
• Jackson County would face increased traffic.
• Jackson County would face increased drunk driving around the casino.
• The location is near the current Jackson County Soccer Complex, several schools and the proposed Ocean Springs Sportsplex. A casino does not belong in an area geared toward family activities and schools.
• The impact on wetlands.
• The possible flooding of nearby residents.
• The impact on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge.

If the Choctaws want a casino on the Gulf Coast they should build it in Harrison or Hancock County where casinos are welcomed and play by the same rules as the other casinos.