LAKE COUNTY — County Supervisor Rob Brown said Wednesday that he does not agree with the Lake County Board of Supervisors vote Tuesday to withdraw the board”s previous opposition to the development of a casino at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa (KHRS). Brown was absent for the vote while he was serving jury duty and said he was unaware that the board was going to consider taking that action.
Responding to community outcry, the board adopted a resolution in the fall of 2007 opposing the development of a casino at the resort when former prospective buyer Darius Anderson of Kenwood Investments identified that as a possibility for the property.
“I don”t think the board should have taken the action of rescinding it (the ordinance) without continuing it. Had it been on the agenda for a recension to take place, my constituents would have shown up to voice the concerns that were expressed when the original resolution was adopted,” Brown said.
Brown added that he has not changed his position on Indian gaming.
“I”m still against gaming. I don”t want my constituents to think my mind has been changed. I want us to do everything we can to keep Konocti (Harbor) viable, but I don”t think gaming is the only resort. There are many opportunities to explore long before gaming becomes an issue ? or a solution,” Brown said.
The board”s agenda advertised that the board would consider adopting a resolution to “consider and discuss any reasonable proposals” to redevelop the resort to support its economic viability. The resolution included a list of possible proposals that included gaming along with timeshares, residential units, fractional ownership, and expansion of the resort”s current facilities, among other attractions.
During the public input portion of the meeting, Kelseyville resident Phil Murphy asked whether or not the board”s earlier resolution opposing a casino at the property would create conflict if the resolution on the table Tuesday was adopted. County Council Anita Grant said it would create conflict, and the board amended the resolution to include a clause that rescinded the previous resolution opposing a casino at KHRS.
Brown said he didn”t see a potential conflict because the resolution was a general statement that the board would look at any options proposed for the resort”s expansion, and he did not believe a casino would be proposed.
“The biggest concern the board may have had is that they don”t want to discourage a potential buyer by giving the impression that we”re not going to consider anything there,” Brown said.
Brown said he doesn”t plan to take any action to oppose the board”s decision in his absence, saying the “damage has been done.”
“We are going to watch very closely to see what any potential owners do with Konocti. My constituents deserve the opportunity to express their concerns ? or support ? for anything that goes into Konocti ? it”s that big,” Brown said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
