Growing Broken Arrow Opposition

Oklahoma Congressmen Lobbies To Derail Broken Arrow Casino

TULSA, Oklahoma - Opponents to a Broken Arrow Casino under construction just got a powerful ally. Congressman John Sullivan is lobbying to derail plans to build the city's first casino.

The Kialegee Tribal Town wants to have a casino up and running at 111th and 129th East Avenue in the next three months.

Sullivan says his office has been flooded with calls from upset constituents, and is asking the National Indian Gaming Commission to consider the public outcry before issuing the casino a gaming license.

Read The Letter

Nearby residents are opposed to the casino, fearing it will bring more traffic and crime to the area.

The National Indian Gaming Commission is still determining whether to give the tribe the go-ahead.

12/20/2011 Related Story: Broken Arrow City Council Gets Earful From Residents Over Casino


Congressman sends letter to gaming commission concerning proposed BA casino
From Staff Reports

Rep. John Sullivan (R-Oklahoma) sent a letter Friday addressing concerns over a proposed casino in Broken Arrow to the National Indian Gaming Commission Chairwoman Tracie Stevens.

Broken Arrow residents upset about a planned casino settled among neighborhoods near the Creek Turnpike made their voices heard earlier this week at a Broken Arrow City Council meeting.

The Kialegee Tribal Town, which is federally recognized, has started development on a casino at the southwest corner of West Florence Street and South Olive Avenue near the Creek Turnpike.

City officials said because the facility - likely to be named the Red Clay Casino - is on tribal land, the city has no role in the planning or construction process. The tribe only had to apply for sewer and water permits from the city.

According to the tribe’s Facebook Page, the 439-person tribe is headquartered in Wetumka and is considered part of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation. The tribe operates a day care, gas station and smoke shop.

The following is a copy of Rep. Sullivan's letter:


December 23, 2011

The Honorable Tracie L. Stevens

Chairwoman

National Indian Gaming Commission

1441 L Street NW, Suite 9100

Washington DC 20005

Dear Chairwoman Stevens:


I am writing in regard to the Kialegee Town's gaming license application to the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) concerning their proposed gaming facility in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and stating my opposition to this facility.

My understanding is the NGIC is currently conducting a land eligibility review of the Kialegee Tribal Town's pending gaming license for a Class III casino located at the southwest corner of Olive Avenue (129th East Avenue) and Florence (111th Street) in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

A considerable number of members of Broken Arrow residents have contacted me in recent days expressing their concerns with the proposed location of this gaming facility. Their specific concerns include the proposed casino's close proximity to schools; strain on public resources including public safety, roads and increased traffic through the city; and the perceived "below the radar" path this development has taken to date.

As you continue to deliberate on your decision to approve or deny a gaming license to the Kialegee Tribal Town, I urge you to take into consideration the local community views regarding this proposed casino location. As you know, Oklahoma has a long history of working with tribes and local communities to ensure that the interested of all stakeholders are considered before a gaming license is issued. It is my hope that the resolution to the Kialegee Tribal Town gaming licenses will conclude in a manner favorable to all parties involved.

I appreciate your consideration of this request, and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

John Sullivan

Member of Congress