It has been reported in the newspapers that the Enumclaw Highway is going to be connected to Highway 18. This is an excellent move to reduce traffic congestion.

The connection is to be made through the gravel pit land, which is in the area. The Muckleshoot Tribe now owns the gravel pit and is giving the land necessary for the connection.

There is a negative side to this transaction. The tribe is making immense profits from their casino. A trusted source informed me about 10 years ago that the casino made $45 million in profit that year.

The casino has had crime in its parking lot, and my friends who live south of the casino tell me that break-ins have increased.

I hope that the purchase of the gravel pit does not indicate that a much larger casino will be erected on the gravel pit. Since it is not tribal claim land, is it not true that city or state agencies can prevent the construction of a new, huge casino on that property?

The casino attracts to the city persons who are not averse to losing sums of money to gambling. The casino makes a profit from those who do not realize that they are going to lose funds, and sometimes these persons are very displeased to the point of creating problems for the City of Auburn.

Many hope that Auburn can be a safe and friendly town. Huge casinos do not contribute to the quality of life in Auburn.

– Harold Valentine