Results of Casino Poll: 65 Percent Say 'No' to Casino, 32 Percent Say 'Yes'

In light of the by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to leave out the wildly-controversial planned casino from endangered Tiger Salamander protected habitat land, Rohnert Park Patch asked readers last week: Does Rohnert Park need a casino?

We brought you a — all we got after weeks of prodding elected officials and tribal leaders, is that a gaming compact is currently being negotiated by the Federated Indians of the Graton Rancheria and Gov. Jerry Brown's office — though critics of the casino say it's already done.

However, a Brown spokesman assured Patch last week that once the compact is complete, he is obligated to make it available to the public.

What we heard from you, readers, is that Rohnert Park shouln't build a Las Vegas-style casino, a plan that's ebbed and flowed, from City Hall, to the courts, to environmental and citizen lobbying groups, since 2003.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10, 842 of you voted; a staggering 548 of you said you aren't in favor of the casino, 276 said bring it. Twelve people said they wanted a casino but were concerned about safety, and we got 37 passionate comments.

"Most people in Rohnert Park assume the casino will bring in tax money," wrote reader Robert Aherne. "It won't. What it will bring is carloads of trouble and we the victims will have to pay for protection."

One reader said, "I need a job after three years unemployed. I say bring on the casino; we need jobs and revenue in this town."

A mom wrote: "THIS IS SO NOT A DONE DEAL. I have a family here that I have raised here from the birth of my eldest child. We don't need a casino and the crime and drama it produces."

"If people don't have jobs, how can anyone afford to go to the casino or 'nice' restaruants or entertainment for that matter," wrote a former local newspaper publisher.

Feel free to leave additional thoughts in this article, and if voting is always open .