Released on = March 27, 2006, 12:41 am

Press Release Author = Manuel Gurule, chairman, Committee for 2800 New Jobs

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = A Barstow District Superior Court Judge has denied attempts
by a Detroit-based casino owner to stop a ballot measure supported by 2300 Barstow
area residents

Press Release Body = March 23, 2006

BARSTOW, Calif -- A Barstow District Superior Court Judge has denied an eleventh
hour effort by Detroit-based Barwest LLC intended to keep Barstow voters from
casting ballots on an Indian gaming measure set for the June 6 ballot.

Lawyers for Barwest attempted what Barstow District Superior Court Judge John P.
Vander Feer categorized as eight different arguments trying to have Measure H
removed from the Barstow ballots. The judge refused to consider six of eight
arguments saying they did not justify interfering with the people's right to vote.
The judge did take two of the claims under consideration but after review and
hearing arguments from both sides, the judge stood by his preliminary findings and
denied Barwest's attempt to stop the election. (Case No. BCV 08816)

Regarding the other two categorical claims made, the court found no evidence to
support Barwest's claims and assertions that circulators and written documents
mislead voters.

One of those claims was a technical matter involving a map reduced and included in
the original petition documents to designate the general location of a proposed
casino and resort development zone. In court transcripts, the Judge acknowledged a
.2 inch discrepancy in the map but indicated, "The fact that this map needs a little
more orange, fractions of an inch to the north of the northern boundary is not
sufficient to invalidate the will of the voters."

Barstow area pastors, community leaders and voters began calling for a vote on
Indian gaming in 2003. Until last spring, Barwest backers and city leaders had
ignored the request.

A local citizens group headed by former Barstow city councilman Manuel "Gil" Gurule,
the Committee for 2,800 New Jobs, formed last year. After obtaining signatures of
2,300 individuals who support the measure, Gurule qualified the proposal. Last fall
the city set the measure for the June 6, 2006 election.

Measure H would designate a casino and resort zone near Barstow's southern edge and
following along Highway I-15 to keep casino development away from homes, schools,
churches and parks, set up a citizens oversight committee to have input on future
gaming matters, set aside 35 percent of all revenue generated by casinos for
increased police and fire services. Passage of Measure H guarantees voter
participation in future casino related decisions.

\"It has not been easy to get Measure H on the ballot, but we did it with the help of
2,300 neighbors," said Gurule. "Every step of the way, Michigan-based Barwest
operatives attempted to interfere with our election process. It's been a bit
disheartening and discouraging considering these people form Detroit want to do
business in our town. But with Judge Vander Feer clearing away this latest
roadblock, we're confident the voters of Barstow will finally be heard."



Web Site = http://

Contact Details = Manuel \"Gil\" Gurule
manuelgurule@verizon.net

Committee for 2800 New Jobs
841 Linda Lane
Barstow, CA 92311
(760) 256-7828

Court transcripts and final judgement available upon request.