Alcohol vote in limbo for casino, Eastern Band

By Jon Ostendorff

Citizen-Times

CHEROKEE — Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for now won’t have an opportunity to vote on whether Harrah’s Cherokee Casino will be allowed to sell alcohol.

The Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise board on Thursday withdrew its request before Tribal Council to hold a public referendum on the issue in front of a standing-room only crowd poised to fight the measure.

The gaming board is made up of tribal members nominated by the principal chief and appointed by Tribal Council. Members of the gaming board supervise Harrah’s management.

The question could come before Tribal Council again, but it’s uncertain if it will. Norma Moss, chairwoman of the gaming board, said her agency has no immediate plans to ask for another referendum.

Thursday marked the third time in 16 years that the tribe has debated the issue. Tribal law prohibits selling alcohol on the Cherokee Indian Reservation.

Principal Chief Michell Hicks said after the meeting he was disappointed that Tribal Council did not act.

“Tribal Council should have dealt with this today,” he said. “If you want to hear from the people, then hear from the people.”

Following a backlash from conservative members of the tribe six years ago, the government killed a similar effort before it was put to a public vote.

The gaming board told Tribal Council in December that alcohol sales would increase gambling revenue.

The tribe’s 13,500 members get a payout twice a year from casino profits called a per-capita check. Members received about $4,000 each in their most recent checks.

Members of at least two churches came out to show their opposition to selling alcohol on the reservation despite the increase it might mean for per-capita checks.

“We don’t need it,” said Jennie Littlejohn, a member of Yellowhill Baptist Church.

The Rev. Denny Crowe of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, who opposes the idea, encouraged the 12-member Tribal Council to put the issue to rest instead of putting it off.

“Let’s have (the vote) today instead of bringing it back up again,” he said.

Missy Crowe, who ran for Tribal Council in 2003, said the packed Council House sent a message to the government that the public would oppose allowing alcohol sales.

“You can’t put a price on the health and welfare of our people,” she said.