The Town Rohnert Park, population 42,200, sits in the heart of Northern California wine country, an hour north of San Francisco. It is home to Sonoma State University and every modern convenience – swimming pools, library, shopping centers, and a performing arts theater.

The Tribe The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria were first federally recognized in 2000. Today, the tribe has about 1000 members of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo ancestry. Tribal Chairman Greg Sarris says half of the tribe lives below the poverty level and half suffer from diabetes.

The Tribe has offered to share a small portion of the casino profits with the city of Rohnert Park: $200 million over 20 years. City of Rohnert Park's website www.ci.rohnert-park.ca.us

The Tribe hopes that profits from the casino will help members buy health insurance, get an education, and find affordable housing. Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria's website www.gratonrancheria.com

The Opposition Many residents of Rohnert Park fear that a casino will bring snarled traffic, neon lights, and gambling addiction to the quiet back roads of their town. They've adopted the cow as their mascot to harken back to Rohnert Park's agrarian origins. Some environmental groups say the casino will

The Casino Company Station Casinos, a Las Vegas-based corporation is providing the Tribe with millions of dollars to purchase the land and build a casino. In exchange for the start-up capital, their management expertise and experience, Station Casinos will get over one-fifth of the casino's revenue for seven years.

impact endangered species and eat up precious open space. One (of several opposition groups) website: www.stopthecasino101.com

Station Casinos currently operates several casinos in Nevada and is a publicly traded corporation: www.stationcasinos.com