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( SAN DIEGO, CA ) May 18, 2006 - On the heels of $5 million in grants awarded in March, Tribal government representatives of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and representatives from the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee, have awarded another approximately $3.5 million in grants from tribal money paid into the State Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund. The grants, sponsored by the three tribes, were made available to local government agencies to fund projects benefiting San Diego County.
“These important grants will help strengthen fire and emergency services in rural communities and throughout the region,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob whose district includes the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas reservations. I am pleased the committee continues to recognize proven, innovative activities that help offset the impacts of gaming."
The Committee assessed the eligibility of 39 applications for grants from local jurisdictions and selected 16 projects including fire hydrant installation, an Interface Fire Engine for the Pine Valley Fire Protection District, and an Adult Protective Services Marketing and Educational Campaign.
“Our three Tribes are extremely proud of the $17 million in grants awarded and dozens of worthwhile projects supported through the Indian Gaming Benefit Committee,” said Thorpe Romero, Councilmember for the Barona Band of Mission Indians. “This unique source of Tribal gaming funds has been a rescuer of critical projects many of which have been on hold due to a lack of government resources.”
After assessing the needs of local communities and the recommendations of the Indian Gaming Local Benefit Committee, the following projects were selected to share in the $ 3,324,310.05 :
• Adult Protective Services Marketing and Educational Campaign -- $200,000
• Juvenile Internet Gaming and Safety Video -- $25,000
• FY 06/07 Dispatch Fees for Rural Volunteer Fire Agencies -- $208,004.05
• San Miguel - High Rise/Multi-Purpose Training Facility -- $700,000
• Crime Scene Investigation Instrumentation -- $149,183
• Juvenile Diversion -- $100,000
• Interface Fire Engine for Pine Valley Fire Protection District -- $300,000
• Interface Fire Engine for Boulevard Volunteer Fire - $300,000
• Rescue Interface Engine for Mt. Laguna Volunteer Fire Department -- $225,000
• Ramona Fire Department - Type I Fire Apparatus -- $216,000
• Fire Station Roof Repairs -- $29,000
• Water Tender -- $100,000
• 3C's (Command, Control & Communications) Project - $170,000
• Fuel Reduction and Behavioral Education -- $67,443
• Preliminary Alcohol Screening Devices --$5,200
• Fire Hydrant Installation -- $529,480
“Sycuan hopes that these grants will have a positive impact on public safety services and programs in the surrounding community,” stated Sycuan Tribal Chairman Daniel Tucker. “The Special Distribution Fund has become an important funding mechanism for these types of critical projects and we take our role in awarding these grants very seriously.”
“While it is an honor to consider the many worthy applications, I am especially pleased that we had the opportunity to sponsor the adult protective services educational campaign and the juvenile diversion program,” said Alan Barrett, Councilmember for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. “Elders and children are always a priority in our Kumeyaay communities. We also were able to improve fire and life safety services in the far-east San Diego County through grants such as fire engines for Pine Valley , Boulevard, Mt. Laguna , and Ramona, and a water tender for Campo.”
The members of the Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee include San Diego County Board of Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Sheriff Bill Kolender, San Diego County Assessor Greg Smith, and El Cajon Mayor Mark Lewis. Tribal representatives on the committee include Danny Tucker, Chairman of the Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Alan Barrett, Councilmember of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and Thorpe Romero, Councilmember of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
The Special Distribution Fund was created after California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 1A, an amendment to the California constitution which authorized the State to enter into compacts with Indian Tribes for limited forms of gaming, in March of 2000. The compacts require tribes, which were engaged in gaming in 1999, to pay into the Special Distribution Fund. During the compact negotiations, Barona, Sycuan and Viejas worked together to ensure that a portion of the money the three original gaming Tribes pay into the fund would be used to directly benefit San Diego County.
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CONTACTS: |
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Kelly Jacobs Speer
Barona
619-933-5013 |
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Adam Day
Sycuan
619-994-4855 |
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David Quintana
Viejas
619-571-5559 |
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