Nebraska's Interference To Iowa Casino Plan Criticized
Nebraska's Interference To Iowa Casino Plan Criticized Save Email Print
"It's not Omaha's business what happens in Carter Lake, Iowa"
Posted: 5:34 PM Jun 2, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:59 PM Jun 2, 2008
 Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
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The Omaha City Council is poised to voice its opposition on Tuesday to a proposed casino in Carter Lake, joining Nebraska Gov. Heineman and Mayor Fahey in their opposition. Carter Lake's mayor says those in Nebraska need to mind their own business.

Omaha is on the doorstep of Carter Lake and city and state leaders don't want a casino that close. The controversy centers on a non-descript building in Carter Lake. The Ponca tribe of Nebraska bought the land in 1999 to open a health clinic.

Times have changed and the tribe now wants to build a casino there. The National Indian Gaming Commission had said no, but has now given the okay. "It's not Omaha's business what happens in Carter Lake, Iowa,” says Mayor Russ Kramer, who has heard the issues.

The state wonders about the extra infrastructure on Omaha's end it will take to handle a casino and the social costs that follow gambling.

"They talk about the excess impact this proposed casino could have on the social problems in north Omaha," says Mayor Kramer. "For crying out loud, we're 10 minutes away from the casinos in Council Bluffs. I don't know what 10 minutes is gonna make it worse."

In theory, the casino floor could be as large as the land owned by the Ponca tribe, nearly five acres. Any land for parking, hotels and restaurants could be bought later and wouldn't be on the radar of the federal government. There is an empty building across the street that has similar markings to its neighbor.

The Department of Justice is currently investigating Nebraska's challenge of whether a casino can even go there.

“It always seems like they're going to do whatever they want to do and the heck with what Carter Lake's feelings are, but if Carter Lake wants to do something, you'd better come and ask big brother Omaha's permission first and that's a bunch of crap,” says Mayor Kramer. “We don't need that."

Nebraska's attorney general filed a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior and the federal government was supposed to answer that by the end of this week, but Monday the Justice Department asked for an extension. We may not hear a response until July.

The Ponca tribe says it finds many of the arguments hypocritical, especially the one where it changed its mind from a medical center to a casino, and says it's much like Nebraska adopting a lottery even though the constitution at one time prohibited gambling.
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Posted by: jack on Jun 8, 2008 at 07:20 PM
The poncas bought land for a clinic,then after quite awhile built the FRED LEROY CLINIC which serves all omahans. now they have axtra land that can be used for something else. just like every other government has done with land. quit complaining about it and deal with it
Posted by: Kate on Jun 7, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Mayor Kramer is absolutely right; it is none of Omaha's business. Omaha has problems enough of its own without sticking its self-righteous nose into Iowa's business. Not to mention that this is just another example of Omaha and Nebraska's selective "concern" over gambling. As long as it's horse racing, Omaha and Nebraska have no problem. Horse racing is a "gentlman's" gambling, and thus acceptable. But the casinos aren't so hoity-toity, so the "lower classes" must be protected from the disease of gambling.
Posted by: Ada on Jun 7, 2008 at 09:44 AM
WoW!Being a N.O. resident it amazes me how no one gives a crap about what happens over our way until something like this comes about. Sure would be nice to get this kind of attention for all the violence that has been happening in N.O.. But no we would rather higher taxes and elminate any chances of jobs. Whether or not you want to beleive this 60% of gamblers come from the West Omaha yes West Omaha district because they have the money to gamble.Casino's don't produce addiction, people make the choice to gamble the life saving away. I say yes for the casino's it would create jobs for people in N.O..I think Omaha has enough to worry about leave Iowa be.
Posted by: To Dave on Jun 7, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Omaha isn't the all powerful that you seem to think that it is. You can't close off Carter Lake. If Omaha could just close off Carter Lake what would stop Iowa closing itself off from Omaha. You really should think about how one unrealistic statement like closing off Carter Lake makes you sound. The idea is just wrong. You have no say in the idea of a Casino in Carter Lake, but stay in your ivory tower and think that you can rule everything. Good luck with that.
Posted by: Jeff on Jun 7, 2008 at 05:18 AM
"It's not Omaha's business what happens in Carter Lake, Iowa." Should Iowans have a say in what happens in Omaha? You sure like our jobs, and when you whined about the wheel tax, you expected to be heard. So now you play the game of hypocracy. Shame on you!
Posted by: Jeff on Jun 6, 2008 at 05:43 PM
You people are amazing.When the voting referendum came up here in"Nebraska"you turned it down.Now your doing the same thing in "Iowa".How come the border patrol did'nt cause this much fuss when the casinos in Council Bluffs were going up.Is Carter Lake that much closer.And on any given day or night most people in the casinos are from Nebraska anyway so what the difference?
Posted by: Right Field on Jun 6, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I love it!!!! Build the casinos. You'll have everyone from the CWS going to the casino instead of oil Slick Field. Oh, and by the way, you can't landlock in Carter Lake. Don't believe it, ask farmers.
Posted by: Robyn on Jun 6, 2008 at 09:57 AM
Its not that big of a deal really. Carter Lake would benefit from a big business, and the Ponca tribe has the right to do what they want with their land. Lets just settle down and stop interfering. It won't be that bad, and if it is, we'll let Iowa deal with it then.
Posted by: t on Jun 6, 2008 at 06:29 AM
It's amazing the comments about cutting off Carter Lake. Whether it be the roads or the services. Think about it, if you do that then Carter Lake will probably have their own bridge built to the Iowa side. You people aren,t very smart. Carter Lake is a part of Iowa not Omaha. The Casino might just help the Omaha economy. Think about that as your paying for your Mayor's new stadium.
Posted by: BC on Jun 6, 2008 at 12:39 AM
To, TO BC@11:58. Boy you take yourself way too seriously. At any point did you see me use the words MY PLAN or the CITIES PLAN! No I used the word senario. Everyones complaining how Fahey strong armed and used underhanded tactics to get his new stadium built, see the conection? Everyones taking this this way too seriously. IT WAS A JOKE!! Theres no way the city could get away with doing the senario's I pointed out! LIGHTEN UP FRANSIS!!!
Posted by: David on Jun 5, 2008 at 12:30 PM
You have to go thru Omaha to get to Carter Lake. Lets close them off.
Posted by: Bill on Jun 5, 2008 at 11:30 AM
The casino hotel will interfer with the hotels around the stadium. Cheaper rates than Omaha, something to do in the off time. What does the hotels around the stadium or Qwest have to offer.....hmmm nothing.
Posted by: To BC@11:58 on Jun 5, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Simple answer for Carter Lake if we cutoff streets, power and gas to their community; major lawsuits that the Omaha taxpayers will be responsible for decades. If Omaha does ANYTHING that could financially or otherwise impact another city from another state (think Kansas, our river water and the lawsuit we recently lost), the Feds would step in and take care of the offending party (in this case, Omaha) immediately. Your solution is not only asinine, it further jeopardizes our future financial well-being. Can you afford a million dollar penalty? Threatening Carter Lake with any punitive action will backfire in our faces, plain and simple. My grandfather always said, pick your fights carefully, the little guy maybe a lot tougher than he seems. In this case, the little guy has Big Brother (the Federal Government) in his corner. Best be careful or Nebraska/Omaha could also be declaring war on a sovereign nation as well. What a total waste of our time, money and consideration!
Posted by: To What? @ 11:42PM on Jun 5, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Hmm... Seems that 'addicts' only reside in Nebraska, eh (cuz that is the majority of the cars in the casino parking lots over in Iowa)?? You poor thing, to be so deluded (and as far off base as anyone can be and still be attached to this planet). No one living in Iowa is going to venture across the river, so there will be no pouring of addicts into Omaha as you claim. And another issue with your argument is you seem to think that no one is allowed to PROGRESS but the fools in Omaha (or how come you don't argue against KENO parlors). The Indian Nation is entitled to the same consideration but you think it's whining? The truth is the only folks WHINING live in Nebraska. And I defy you to show me how any casino has ruined my life or that casinos are designed to do so. I should remind you that the we have set up liquor stores and devastated entire tribes, not just families for over 100 years. Where is your self-righteous indignation over that foo-bar? Don't be such a hypocrite.
Posted by: To ME on Jun 5, 2008 at 08:54 AM
There are plenty of streets you can walk down in Omaha without looking over your shoulder...the vast majority, in fact. Most of us don't go to the "war zone" east of 60th St or north of Hamilton for very good reason. Thus we don't risk getting hit by stray bullets. The POINT of the story is, Omaha has no say in butting into another city and STATE'S business. I agree whole-heartedly with Dave @ 02:08 PM and casino? Omaha needs to BUTT OUT.
Posted by: BC on Jun 4, 2008 at 11:58 PM
To Heartland Bob. Helicopters? ARE YOU SERIOUS? How about the city buy everyone jet packs:) Here's another senario for ya. All off a sudden Cater Lake has no power, no natural gas. OOOPS sorry Carter Lake, due to our new road construction that cut off your roads, we had to shut off the power and natural gas to your city!
Posted by: What? on Jun 4, 2008 at 11:42 PM
When did Iowa become the corrupter of other states? They've already dumped loads of money into rehabilitation services for their own state, but now they want to pour a bunch of addicts directly into Omaha. And what is it with Native Americans? They whine about what happened to their ancestors (before my ancestors came here), and then they set up businesses designed to ruin peoples' lives. If PROGRESS means ruining people's lives, then Iowa is a success.
Posted by: Dave on Jun 4, 2008 at 02:08 PM
casino? makes an excellent point. We had no say in a stadium in our own town, but the city feels it's okay to butt into another town's and state's business. What's up with that??????
Posted by: To Dave on Jun 4, 2008 at 01:47 PM
So you do realize that the roads leading to the airport are in NE right. Your comment makes no sense. Who drives through CL to get to the airport. Storz Expressway is a NE road. Maybe you need to look at a map sometime???
Posted by: ME on Jun 4, 2008 at 01:14 PM
First off, I am reading this news because for the past 5 years, I had been living in Omaha, and I like to keep myself informed. Yes it's true that we have had ONE teenager who killed her mom and her sister, and yes, there was a guy that was too short to go to prison, but in that case that was a SUPREME COURT ruling and out of our hands. I understand the point that you are getting at, but the simple fact of the matter is that i can pick any street that I choose to walk down here on my town of North Platte, and never have to look over my shoulder. I don't have to worry about getting hit my gunfire gon amiss, because no one is shooting at each other. It's true that every town and community is going to have those violent crimes, but it happens everyday in Omaha. Everyday someone shoots someone else. I too couldn't wait to get out of here, but after being there, I couldn't wait to come back.
Posted by: Mike on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Sounds like the state and city are a tad bit jealous of Iowa's success involving casinos, doesn't it? And jealousy makes people (and governments) do stupid things, just like in this instance. We should be paying more attention to our own woes (Street improvements, lowering violent crime and taxes) than what our neighbors are LEGALLY doing next door. Goes to show just how out of touch our leaders are with the common man's reality, doesn't it? It's easy to see HOW they lost touch, they no longer care what our opinions are, only what affects their personal agendas. The part that really gets to me is that we actually voted these idiots into office (except for the AG). Think it's way overdue for change?
Posted by: To BC on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Yepper! Then ALL airport traffic will need to be diverted through bullet ridden North Omaha to get to downtown. What a joke this is! And a waste of our government's time and money as well! Best figure out how to get gun crimes down before we dictate to another state, City or NATION that we know what is best for ANYONE. Heck, we can't even get a consensus on ANYTHING (other than our city leaders are the REAL joke) so how do we even pretend we know what's best. I hope the DOI slams everyone involved in the lawsuit and tells them to GROW UP, OMAHA doesn't own the world!
Posted by: Bob on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Build a bommmmmmbb casino a little south of heartland of america park! Get nebraska so big revenue! we already have the problems that go with gambling, might as well get the benifits!
Posted by: When? on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:09 PM
When did Nebraska become the morality cops for all other states? Yep, it's just like our gestapo administration to try and dictate to another state as to what is and isn't morally acceptable. The City Council voices it's objections? Please! They have about as much right to complain about GAMBLING on Ponca Tribe land as South Omaha does about losing Rosenblatt! It's (as most of the NO-DO supporters like to say) about PROGRESS! Maybe not for Omaha, but for the Ponca tribe who would like to develop THEIR own land as they deem fit. And maybe we should remind the mayor, City Council, Attorney General and the Govenor that the Ponca Tribe doesn't have to ASK permission to do ANYTHING with their property. Or maybe the Ponca Tribe should sue the Department of the Interior to stop the NO-DO stadium construction on the basis that it will hurt their gambling business having such as distraction so close to Carter Lake. Makes as much sense as dumb and dumber suing to stop the casino, NOT!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 4, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Well, Heartland Bob doesn't believe that Omaha owns the skies. Aside from air corridors for the Omaha Airport (oh, so close to Carter Lake), Omaha has general authority to act on crimes committed in the sky. What, Bob, do you think it's okay to drop dynomite from your helicopter, because Omaha has no jurisdiction of the sky? Yeah, right!
Posted by: laura on Jun 4, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Thank you, D, I too was born and raised in southcentral Nebraska and couldn't wait to get out of there. I wasn't originally for casino gambling here in Nebraska but what with King Mike spending billions of dollars he doesn't have, we now need SOMETHING to relieve the tax burden on residents of Omaha and Lincoln. The tax revenue simply isn't there from the western end of the state. Oh and trust me, we NEVER left our doors unlocked in Hastings, NE. I've never left a door unlocked ANYWHERE I've lived. STupid is as stupid does...
Posted by: Casino? on Jun 4, 2008 at 09:42 AM
A casino could hurt Fahey grand plans with the NCAA. They want their kids safe from bars & Casinos. I hope the casino goes through just to teach the NE leaders that they do not run the entire region. No vote given for the stadium, why should they have any say in CARTER LAKE. The attitudes of our state & local leaders need adjusting. Another example of their greed for sure. People our leaving big cities to come here and create it like what they left behind. It is time for them to understand the native farm community people have never liked big city behavior, attitudes, crime & neglect of infrastructure. If they want a big city move back to where they came from. Omaha grew to fast with an inability to properly care for their holdings, this will come back to bite them before long. This is an economic fact when growth is done to fast, these people have no conscious, no heart, no compassion & definitely no brains between them just PERSONAL AGENDAS...
Posted by: Dave on Jun 4, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Hey, BC, here's a better idea. Iowa turns the roads leading to the airport into toll roads.What do you think??
Posted by: anne on Jun 4, 2008 at 07:48 AM
the Ponca tribe of Nebraska has to leave it's own state to build a buisness.... does that make Omaha one of the top 10 places to live?
Posted by: John on Jun 4, 2008 at 02:52 AM
The State Of Nebraska needs to know the world doesn't revolve around them. No other State cares what you think. Casinos in Iowa have been nothing but great for the community. Iowa, thank you for making sound actions to better your community. I go over the bridge for all my entertainment needs.
Posted by: Heartland Bob on Jun 4, 2008 at 01:45 AM
To BC: Ever think of helicopters? Or vespa's to whizz around your fancy barricades. Yeah, got you on that one. Omaha don't own the skies!
Posted by: Jeff on Jun 4, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Carolyn, it's obvious you’re lying that you only see Nebraska license plates when you go to the casinos. You're not counting your own. You're trying to tell us only people from Nebraska gamble, but you're there. Or are you complaining the casinos only hire from Nebraska? Yeah, I can see why they'd do that. So, if all of these people from Nebraska are already crossing the river to gamble, what need is there for a casino on our side of the river? I mean, if I have a chance to go into Iowa, I'll take the opportunity to top off my tank. Then I'll have a little extra gambling money.
Posted by: BC on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Watch out Carter Lake, you think Omaha has no say so? Here's a senario for ya. All of a sudden all the streets leading to Carter Lake (which come thru Omaha) suddenly become closed due to construction. Bye Bye casino. Bye Bye Carter Lake !!!!
Posted by: JW on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:56 PM
First off, Carter Lake is Iowa. Second off, THE LAND BELONGS TO THE PONCA TRIBE. They can do what they want with it. As for a health clinic, there's already the All Nations clinic downtown, so there really isn't a need for a clinic anymore. To the comment about an alcohol rehab facility-- the white man caused the problem, why can't the white man "fix" it? (Get out your history books-- the OTHER ones, with the real facts.) If the tribe wants to build a casino, on their land, in their state that allows Indian casinos...there really isn't a whole heck of a lot ANY person in Nebraska can say about it. As for it being "safer" out west and "kids not carrying around their guns"... I don't know how many stories I've heard from people who grew up out west with a gunrack in their pickup.... I keep my door unlocked most of the time here. I'm not afraid of any part of town. Perhaps I'm a different person than the rest.
Posted by: Anita on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Fahey needs to mind his own business. If he would pay attention to Omaha and it's crime rate instead of putting his nose in other's business, it might not be so bad. City Counsel needs to get something to stand up to Fahey and not let the ball park go through, Gov, you should mind your own business too. Iowa and Nebraska are 2 different states. Let them do what they want, they have that right. Omaha already takes their money to Iowa and the casinos..so what is the difference!
Posted by: Suzanne on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Well, I wish I could say I'm surprised by the latest move by certain Nebraska (and especially Omaha) officials to try to control EVERYTHING outside the city/state limits while refusing to address many of the problems within. Unfortunately, they missed one tiny detail...issues like casinos are state issues and since Carter Lake is actually in IOWA, they really don't have a leg to stand on. It would just be nice if some of them would wake up to the fact that casino gambling is already part of the social makeup of Nebraska, it's just not physically present in the state.
Posted by: Carolyn on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:25 PM
Mayor fahey...sounds like you and your Police Department are not doing your job.Everytime I see the news someone else is getting shot, mugged or some other crime. Give me a break..casinos are not going to change that.
Posted by: Carolyn on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:22 PM
You go to the casinos and all you see are license plates from Nebraska... Stay out of it Nebraska or get your own casinos.
Posted by: Jim on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:21 PM
When the River (the natural border between Iowa & Nebraska) changed it's course after the flood of the late 19th Century, Carter Lake should've naturally became part of Nebraska. It's fine time to rectify that by paying Iowa fair market (un-improved) value for the land & end the entire debate. Furthermore, Nebraska should "pull it's head out" & invite & build destination-type casinos on the Riverfront. It's high time to keep Nebraska's money in Nebraska. Those "holier than thou" who are against Casinos in Omaha, don't have to go gamble there. Nebraska needs to improve OUR infrastructure WITHOUT raising taxes & if Casinos can do that, then build them! It's hypocritical to say, "we don't want gambling in Nebraska". We already have ALL forms of gambling except that that can truely benefit the state...Casinos. Indians should NOT be the only ones to benefit from casino gambling in Nebraska! I voted against the last attempt to expand gambling because I didn't want slots in every corner bar.
Posted by: Lisa on Jun 3, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Gambling is just a tax on people with poor math skills. We don't need another casino anywhere in the area. Carter Lake would be NOTHING without Omaha surrounding it. CL is just a parasite. I sure wish the Poncas would find a more noble use for their land.
Posted by: ed on Jun 3, 2008 at 06:04 PM
someone better tell the omaha city council that carter lake is considering letting women raise their hem lines to just below the knee. i'm sure if they act fast they can stop the insanity of it all.
Posted by: Peter on Jun 3, 2008 at 05:15 PM
It is sad that Omaha needs to butt into other people's business. First you annex other towns and now want to try to stop things in other states. You should be ashamed of yourself. Worry about what is going on in your town before you come to someone elses town let alone state. You screwed up a good thing by getting rid of Rosenblate, why not get rid of other possible good things. I hope iowa starts to make a big deal out of things over there. i feel sorry for the people who live in Omaha. They have to have such a stupid mayor and city council.
Posted by: Me on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:58 PM
If Mayor fahey would open his eyes to all the Omahan's who cross the river to spend their hard earned money in C.B at the casinos-he might actually choke on his self-minded,ignorrant words..Stay out of Carter Lakes business Mr.Mayor-your thoughts and comments are not wanted or appreciated!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Another good reason to justify my move from Omaha besides the million dollar bridge to nowhere, the custom man hole covers. If Fahey monitored Omaha like he does other cities, the streets might be in better condition.
Posted by: Curious on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:46 PM
I think that this casino should not be allowed. But if the Indians want their casino then let them have it. The way that Omaha prospors is simple, the only way in or out of Carter Lake is through Omaha. If Carter Lake does not want to become part of Nebraska than I say we just make all of the roads in and out toll roads. At $5 to enter and exit Carter Lake, by way of Omaha, we will either make a killing and be able to get rid of the wheel tax WE already pay, or the casino fails miserably and the Ponca tribe can waste even more money it could have used to help it's people. They want to get rid of a medical clinic and build a casino...really. They must assume they can just use the US government facility for free already so what is the point.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:14 PM
HaHa Mayor Fahey, can't get your way on this one. Mind your own business and keep your opinions and ideas to yourself. Build your bridge to nowhere and keep making the rest of the Omahans mad. Carter Lake has a mayor, let him call the shots.
Posted by: D on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:01 PM
To Laura Western Nebraska: While I appreciate your postion on this topic, I must respond. I am from central NE, and have lived in Omaha for 15 years. Personally, I could not wait to get away from there. I find the people, my own family included, to be very narrow minded,not terribly worldly, and just as greedy as people in the city. The kids out there are no different than they are here, they are still lazy and have an exagerated sense of entitlement. In my own hometown, there are plenty of less than desireables. If you are able to leave your door unlocked, then you either live in a very small town, or in the country, because where I'm from, people haven't done that in years (town of 3500). Believe it or not, we too care about our families and friends. I have had some family tragedies lately, and my friends here in Omaha have been unbelieveably supportive. Lastly, if Omaha is such a bad place, why on Earth are you reading our news channel's website?
Posted by: Bill on Jun 3, 2008 at 03:27 PM
The Omaha City Council needs to mind their own business. They need to tell the mayor what he can do with his ball park instead of cowtowing with him.
Posted by: RM on Jun 3, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Omaha can't annex Carter Lake so they should have no sayso on what happens there. Spend our money on other things besides lawsuits like this. Remember we have a MUCH NEEDED STADIUM to build.
Posted by: Obed on Jun 3, 2008 at 03:01 PM
The Ponca Tribe Of NEBRASKA decided to open a casino in Carter Lake,Iowa. Being native americans they could have chosen the state of Nebraska or Omaha and likely would have succeeded in their plans. Being an indian tribe puts them in a very interesting position when it comes land use. It's likely they chose Iowa to avoid a lot of possible legal hassles.Being a native tribe of Nebraska could prove interesting in their future business dealings.
Posted by: jp on Jun 3, 2008 at 02:25 PM
dum, dum de dum, dum de dum, dum de dum.....Here comes Darth Omaha wanting to overtake yet another city, even if its not in our state. Good grief!
Posted by: JJ on Jun 3, 2008 at 01:48 PM
NEB SHOULD CONCERN THEMSELFS ON HOW TO UNBECOME,A LOW TAXES STATE INSTEAD OF TELLING OTHERS HOW TO RUN THEIRS. I REMEMBER WHEN WE USE TO GO TO IOWA TO BUY LOTTERY TICKETS,YET NEB. HAD HORSE RACING. AHA HOW STUPID CAN WE GET? TO IOWA THAT WICH FROM IOWA,AND TONB THAT WICH CONCERNS NEB AS A MATTER OF FACT WE WOULD BENEFIT FROM A CASINO,LETS FACE WE GO TO IOWA TO GAMBLE.
Posted by: cory on Jun 3, 2008 at 01:02 PM
hey they improved abbott drive because it looked like crap coming and going to the airport just because it went thru carter lake doesn't mean anything. does anyone know for sure but I bet iowa had to help a little on that. But hey the nanny state--i mean Nebraska--has to do something to take the citizens minds off the crime in omaha. I would think that they wouldn't oppose the casino so that they could then blame all their troubles on the casino. lol
Posted by: Dan on Jun 3, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Any one that understands the National Indian Gaming Act of 1988 knows that once they rule it will be hard to overturn. Indican casinos dot the landscape all over the country and have fought many battles with State Governments over the Act. Bruning, the Governor, and the Mayor will have a hard time overturning any decisions of the Commission. I predict one day you will see a casino in Carter Lake.
Posted by: Loni on Jun 3, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Wake up and smell the coffee people. All the goodie two shoes in Nebraska want to do is spend our money and raise our taxes. We would have had a casino on the riverfront and did some good things with the money generated instead of spending it all in Council Bluffs. On any given day the majority of the cars at the CB casinos are from Nebraska. Putting in a casino at the AK-SAR-BEN location could have saved this landmark and made some money for Nebraska and maybe given us a tax break. Now we spent millions on a foot bridge so Omahan's can walk to the casinos in Iowa. Great job!
Posted by: KJ on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:57 AM
OMG Omaha dont want the casinos why dont they but out of Carter lake and so the the casino's in Iowa and look at the the Nebraska plates,
Posted by: Sam on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Laura, you might want to start locking your doors. Accourding to the NE Bureau of Justice this year, North Platte's violent crime rate is 452 per 100,00. Bellebue, NE, which is double the size of North Platte, has 57 violent crimes, North Platte is at 109, and that is just VIOLENT CRIMES. LOCK YOUR DOOR! Your neighbors might be violent! And those Western "good values" .. could you have those lovely Western NE folks quit cookin up all that Meth.. it is killing Omaha families! And belive it or not, we do care about each other here in the "Big City"... Thank you!
Posted by: kevin on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:40 AM
OMAHA ! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS ! Oh all the poor Omahans will have gambling problems. Boo Hoo ! Shut up and build your stupid stadium .
Posted by: D on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I just don't see what difference one more casino makes nor how it has any particular affect on North Omaha. And what about the casinos in Sloan and Onawa...thy're on our (Nebraska's) doorstep too. Neither the city of Carter Lake nor the state of Iowa stand to benefit much from it as it will be built on tribal land, and is therefore tax exempt, but you don't hear them complaining. As for the lawsuit Nebraska filed against the Dept of the Interior...that's just another ridiculous lawsuit by our illustrious attorney general that wastes time and taxpayer money...the man is a freak!
Posted by: CM on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:37 AM
After reading all the comments posted (with the latest being Laura from Western Nebraska), I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with Laura from Western Nebraska. My opinion is that our society has gone to hell in a handbasket but I firmly believe that the outlying areas (away from the city) have done as much as anyone to retain good values and morales. Oh, there are still problems but they are of a different nature. Sure wish I could afford to get away from the city and buy 20 acres out west of here. But...can't afford the gas to go looking! By the way, I don't give a hoot if Carter Lake has a casino; I don't go to the ones that are in CB. As so many have said before me, NE needs to mind their own business and take care of OUR problems.
Posted by: To Western NE on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:22 AM
If you mean the safe Western NE where the guys is too short to go to prison for child sexual assult, the part of the state where parents were killed by a teen and her boyfriend, the part of NE where a female teacher took a minor child to Mexico--Safe Indeed. Dreamer.......
Posted by: AnnaM on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Please, spare us your hysteria, Laura. I've never seen so many drunken people in as when I visited Sheridan county. It's a pit of alcoholism and racism and growing poverty. I'll take my chances in Omaha any day.
Posted by: Joe C on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I'm with Gov. Heineman - fight this. Last time I looked, you can't get to Carter Lake from any other part of IA (unless you swim). You have to go through NE. It's surrounded by NE. It's basically in NE. Nebraska absolutely has a right to oppose this. They can't dictate, but they sure can have an opinion. As said before me, they sure don't mind all of the services Omaha and NE provides. Why be a crappy neighbor??? Oh, and I don't say this in support of Fahey - can't stand the guy.
Posted by: Timmeh on Jun 3, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Nebraskan's are so funny. They don't want to have casinos, yet most of the license plates in the casinos across the river are NE's. With the revenue that the city of Omaha receives in it's never-ending collection of taxes "for the children". Iowa's raking in the cash that's donated by Nebraska gamblers. To Lisa, Carter Lake, Iowa, is, in fact, in Iowa. So it is therefore governed by Iowa law. Omaha has terrible streets, a tiny police force that can't keep up with the volume of crime and traffic offenses, the schools are substandard to Iowa (look at the SAT's and college rankings). I hate to say it, but Iowa's run by a socialist hack, but they have more to show for their money.
Posted by: To Laura on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:58 AM
You can have your casino and stuff it in Carter Lake. We out here in the 3rd District care about our neighbors and neighborhoods. Your're right we vetoed the casinos, but for good reason. Maybe if you ever left Omaha, you would realize that there is a WHOLE STATE to the west of you with good values. Our kids aren't out here carrying guns around, beating up our girlfriends, and doing drugs all the time. MAYBE YOU CAN LEARN SOMETHING FROM WESTERN NEBRASKA. At least we haven't lost all of our values. Money, Money, Money is all you people in Omaha ever think about. Out here, our family comes first. So you can have your casinos, and kids toting guns, and drive by shootings, and unsafe neighborhoods, and everything that comes with your casinos. I am happy to live out here on the range with no casinos where I can leave my front door unlocked at night. Can you?
Posted by: sam on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:45 AM
What Omaha wants, Omaha gets. Just ask Elkhorn.
Posted by: w on Jun 3, 2008 at 10:05 AM
if the problem is the infrastructure then why didn't anyone complain about the upgrades to the bridges that take people across the river to casinos? Nebraska has no right to complain about Iowa making money when Nebraska owes millions to Kansas because of using too much water. Nebraska needs to take care of nebraska and maybe copy Iowa and their windmill farms and casinos and other ways to make money instead of just taxing.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Fahey has enough to do in Omaha! He has a new stadium to build! here is an idea, BUILD SOME CASINOS IN NE AND KEEP SOME $ IN NE! AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE OUR TAXES WILL GO DOWN! I should run for Mayor! And Mark - drunk driving? top 10? I thought they just did a survey and named Omaha one of the top 10 places to live? I am still laughing about that one!
Posted by: Sandi on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Maybe Omaha should take a clue from Council Bluffs and Carter Lake..HMMM CASINO'S, more money into the economy. Ever drive over to the casinos that are there now?? More than 75% of the plates are from Nebraska..I say KEEP THE MONEY HERE!!!
Posted by: WOW on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Whoa whoa whoa! What is the deal Omaha? I thought state's should stick to themselves. Oh wait I forgot thats only when Iowa cops are doing something important like CATCHING CRIMINALS AND GOING OVER THE "STATE LINE"! Mind your own Omaha!!!! Hypocrites!
Posted by: Mike on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:28 AM
So, if the big wigs of Omaha and Nebraska are so up in arms over this idea maybe they should look at legalizing casino's in Nebraska. Any given day if you go to CB and count the number of plates I bet over 75% of them are Nebraska anyways. Maybe we should stop supporting the gambler's anonymous groups in nebraska and play tough love. Send them to Iowa for help since they are the cause. If not, legalize gambling in this state and let the casinos help pay for it. Look at all the stuff that Iowa has now with the casinos there. And for those who believe it brings in drugs and crime...seriously...do you really think the drugs and crime could get worse then it is now in Omaha...with our murder rates of almost 1 per day. I would rather have addicted gamblers than a bunch of morons running around with guns killing people for no reason. VOTE YES FOR CASINOS AND KEEP THE MONEY IN NEBRASKA, MAYBE THEN WE WOULDN'T HAVE SUCH HIGH TAXES!!
Posted by: DB on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:25 AM
This is the fault of the great citizens of Nebraska who kept rejecting a casino in our state. I say go ahead and build the casino in Carter Lake, Iowa. The last I checked Carter Lake, Iowa was still in Iowa.
Posted by: Madonna on Jun 3, 2008 at 09:02 AM
I cannot believe how far Nebraska is going!! This state has no powers in IOWA!! Get over it people. If the Ponca Tribe wants to put a Casino there in IOWA, let them for goodness sake. Nebraska is not the all knowing state it thinks it is.
Posted by: T.Edward on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:55 AM
The casinos are more than 10 minutes away if you walk. Now if the casino would ban customers that are pedestrians, then Mayor Kramer's comments about the casinos being 10 minutes away would be valid...so will someone ask Mr. Kramer if pedestrians would not be allowed to visit the casino? I have been saying for a long time to "secure the Iowa border"....
Posted by: pete on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Like I said before..Politicians in Omaha act like the nazi's did in WWII..By trying to run the world.. They can't even fight crime in thier own out of control town.
Posted by: Roxanne on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:17 AM
I could careless what carter lake does, if they want a casino, let them have one. Omaha needs to but out carter lake is not our problem. besides, with the new ballpark coming thats just more attraction; and if there is going to be violence, then there is going to be violence. its not like a casino is going to make that area any worse!
Posted by: C on Jun 3, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Way to go Carter Lake, IA. Omaha has No Say to IA's NoDo plan. Will they take NE food stamps? lol
Posted by: Taxpayer on Jun 3, 2008 at 07:45 AM
I guess I look at the Ponca Casino differently. Instead of it being a thorn, it should be a further draw. People may stay on this side of the river, instead of going to C.B. I see the casino as a good thing! Sure we made improvements to Abbott Drive, etc. but there weren't any restrictions about who can drive on it, as far as I know. If the road takes Nebraskans and visitors to the casino, the road takes the Nebraskans and visitors to the casino! Apparently the Ponca Indians have paid attention to all that's proposed North of Omaha? I'll spend money there. And yes I realize Carter Lake, IA is in Iowa. Nebraska needs casinos too!
Posted by: Ben on Jun 3, 2008 at 06:58 AM
It's again funny the mayor would do such a thing when in the process of building an expensive and needless baseball stadium. The mayor talks about the negative impact this would have on north Omaha yet the mayors office as well as the city of Omaha can't even repair the roads in North Omaha. The mayor and his cronies don't care about north Omaha. You're a complete joke Mr. Mayor.
Posted by: Dave on Jun 3, 2008 at 06:35 AM
This city has enough problems without worrying about what happens in Carter Lake. It is in Iowa, so it's none of our buisness. If you don't like the casino, don't go!
Posted by: LB on Jun 3, 2008 at 04:37 AM
Doesn't the mayor have enough to do with stealing the ballpark, building businesses to replace it and negotiate a fair contract with Police and Fire? Come on, there are more important things to be concerned about in your own town, BUTT OUT of Iowa's.
Posted by: Brian on Jun 3, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Nebraska should not have a say in what is built in IOWA. Or does the idiots that are in office believe that they should have a say in what is built in every state surrounding this one. I say build the casino and let Council Bluffs be the ones to try and stop them. As for what happened to the medical clinic, think about it people. Your trying to make money for your people. What would you build a medical clinic or a gambling casino. HMMMMMM.
Posted by: American on Jun 3, 2008 at 01:58 AM
Americans of Omaha and all surrounding areas need to remember that this land was once territory of the Native American's. The US government has been responsible for far more devastations to the Indian community than what this one casino will do. Let them build there casino.
Posted by: Fred on Jun 3, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Good grief, Charlie Brown. Why don't you get Mayor Mike to annex Carter Lake the way he glommed on to Elkhorn. Problem solved!
Posted by: laura on Jun 2, 2008 at 11:16 PM
GET OVER it already. Carter Lake is IOWA. They can do as they please. Personally I am laughing at the state of Nebraska AND the city of Omaha trying to oppose this. Just think, if it hadn't been for the 3rd District in Nebraska, we'd have casino gambling here. Take it up with the residents of western Nebraska...you have no powers here.
Posted by: David on Jun 2, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Although I think we have plenty of casinos in Council Bluffs, the fact remains that Carter Lake IS IN IOWA. They have a right to have whatever business they choose to have. Now I certainly understand the point that most folks that live in Carter Lake work in Omaha, but I am sure that after a casino is built, plenty new jobs will be created for the citizens of Omaha. And since most of the casino gaming revenue in Council Bluffs comes from Nebraska, just think of it as Nebraskans gambling in Carter Lake and paying Nebraska workers!!!!
Posted by: T on Jun 2, 2008 at 10:28 PM
They should be able to build a casino over there. I think Omaha should build a casino here. People go there no matter what why should Iowa get all of the money????
Posted by: Stephanie on Jun 2, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I say build it! Omaha just wants a penny in their pocket is all- our government is run by a bunch of thieves and they're worried since it's not theirs it will be uncontrolable.
Posted by: Lisa on Jun 2, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Tell me... does anyone who lives in Carter Lake actually work there? No... they all work in Omaha. Who improved Abbott Drive through Carter Lake? Once again... Omaha. Carter Lake sure doesn't seem to mind mooching off of Omaha. The 1892 US Supreme Court decision that said Carter Lake was part of Iowa was flawed... but there's no changing that now. Keep the casinos on the other side of the river. We don't need or want them over here.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 2, 2008 at 09:46 PM
When will the big wigs of Omaha and Nebraska all together realize that what they say doesn't mean squat. They should mind their own business. We have problems here in Nebraska and Omaha that need more of their attention then the affairs of another state. This is getting ridiculous, and only giving Nebraska an even more greedier reputation then it already has.
Posted by: Mark on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Yeah, the social cost might be high. But what about drunk driving and alcholism in Omaha? It's in the top 10 for cities with the worst drunk driving problem!
Posted by: Fake Name on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:23 PM
You'd think Coucil Bluffs would be fighting this more than Omaha. Omaha and Nebraska don't have a leg to stand on.
Posted by: Joseph P. Sokolovsky on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:02 PM
We need another casino like another hole in our head! The Governor of Nebraska, Mayor Mike Fahey and other community leaders are 100% correct....the social costs, gambling addiction, etc. is something we don't need. Three casinos in the Omaha/CB area is ENOUGH!What happened to the medical clinic the Ponca Tribe said they were going to build at that location?
Posted by: gaye on Jun 2, 2008 at 08:01 PM
What kind of problems do a casino cause for North Omaha? that is crap North Omaha is already off the wagon no Casino in Carter Lake is going affect north O no more than council bluffs casinos affect the bluffs go ahead build it I wont mind getting off the plane to go to the casino only now is that I wont have to cross the river.
Posted by: D on Jun 2, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Carter lake has the right to build up their city like Omaha does. It may be close to Omaha, but it is in another state entirely. Truth be told, Omaha would have annexed them if they weren't in Iowa.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 2, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Maybe the indians should build an alcohol treatment facility. We have plenty of casinos.
Posted by: Jerry on Jun 2, 2008 at 06:00 PM
They are right. Omaha should mind its own business! They will have all of Douglas County in a few years, and that is more than they can keep an eye on allready. They try to get into other counties school business, and can't even get their "One City, One District" thing straight. Leave others alone Omaha, and mind your own business!
Posted by: Dick Tater on Jun 2, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Omaha has no say in Carter Lakes business unless Fahey takes them over
Posted by: mike on Jun 2, 2008 at 05:51 PM
its none of omahas business if carter lake builds a casino there or not carter lake is iowa not nebraska so nebraska bug off and carter lake go for it
Posted by: Jamie on Jun 2, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Umm what is the deal with Omaha thinking they have to control everyone around them. Carter Lake is in another state! Mind your business Omaha! Take care of your own.
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