Yet, until recently, the 768-member tribe lived a desperate existence in the surrounding hills without adequate water supplies or roads. Tribal members are just wonderful neighbors.”

“It’s time to celebrate,” Carnation said, “But not just about the money. Joe Carnation said the gift means he won’t have to cut programs or lay off three teachers next year. A month ago, the tribe agreed to give the financially strapped Geyserville Unified School District $300,000 for the coming school year.ĭistrict Supt. Its donations include $28,000 a month to the local volunteer fire department and $30,000 toward a political campaign to keep open the local hospital. One of the largest employers in the area, it employs 550 people. In 2003, the casino took in $69 million and generated an estimated $26 million in local wages.

The casino is one of the few booming businesses in a region where jobs are in short supply, winery tourism has been in a slump and working-class people are being priced out of the housing market by new million-dollar chalets. And, because the tribe’s fortunes are moving so fast, it has become a major regional financial donor almost overnight. Whatever critics say about the casino, a growing number of local residents are becoming resigned to its existence some have even become regular customers. “We’ve always been a farming community, but I truly believe this whole valley is going to be owned by the tribe within 10 years,” she added.

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