As a U.S. Marine, I proudly defended our country in the Persian Gulf War. As San Bernardino County supervisor, I am a strong supporter of law enforcement and an independent taxpayer watchdog for the citizens of the 3rd District.
I am writing in response to The Sun newspaper’s predictable defense of political candidate and San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos (“Neil Derry’s ugly campaign,” Feb. 5 editorial).
Unlike Mr. Ramos, I don’t need to hide behind paid surrogates or casino advertising payoffs. The people of the 3rd District know that I am not afraid to speak for myself. And as a longtime resident who grew up in the neighborhood surrounding the casino and who has represented it for 12 years, I can personally attest to the damage that it has created.
I stand strongly behind the facts presented in my campaign flier.
James Ramos was part of the tribal leadership during the “killer for hire” scandal where two tribal members received a slap on the wrist for their serious crimes;
Investigators from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency have expressed written concerns about Mexican Mafia influence at the San Manuel reservation and their extortion of tribal members who receive $100,000 per month in casino income without even having to work;
Newspaper stories and eyewitness accounts confirm that tribal criminals have engaged in violent altercations, assaulted casino patrons, intimidated casino security personnel and even publicly used illegal drugs without any action taken against them by the tribe;
San Bernardino County Deputy sheriff’s deputies aren’t even allowed inside the casino without permission from Mr. Ramos and the San Manuel leadership;
During Ramos’ tenure as chairman, few, if any, tribal lawbreakers have faced punishment for their criminal behavior.
Mr. Ramos’ failure to take responsibility for policing criminal activity at his casino and on the reservation highlights the glaring double standard of his candidacy.
As tribal chairman, Ramos personally benefits by receiving millions of dollars in casino profits – but he doesn’t pay any state or local taxes on this massive income. He pays no property taxes on his mansion which is located on the reservation. He contributes nothing in taxes from his casino profits to our local schools or our local communities. He won’t even have to pay Sacramento’s outrageous new fire service tax because tribal lands are exempt!
As if tax-free living weren’t a big enough financial perk, Mr. Ramos’ casino doesn’t have to comply with the same employer rules and regulations as every other business in San Bernardino County. He can ignore worker safety requirements or sexual harassment laws without any oversight from state or county government agencies.
Ramos’ financial conflicts of interest have become very apparent in his opposition to the proposed Los Coyotes Casino in the city of Barstow. The Barstow community supports the Los Coyotes casino, which is located in a commercial area far away from any neighborhoods, but which would compete with Mr. Ramos’ own casino.
Federal public records show that San Manuel is working to kill the Los Coyotes casino. How can Ramos represent the citizens of Barstow while undercutting the city’s efforts to create local jobs?
It is probably no surprise that gambling special interests have provided 82.41 percent of Mr. Ramos’ political war chest – bankrolling his campaign to the tune of $592,000.
The citizens of the 3rd District pay our taxes, follow the rules and work hard to provide for our families. The real question facing 3rd District voters in the June election is: Why would we vote for someone as a county supervisor who doesn’t pay taxes; who refuses to enforce the laws against his fellow tribal members, and who doesn’t even have to live under the same rules as the rest of us?
Answer: We won’t.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry represents the 3rd District, which includes the cities of Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Grand Terrace, Highland, Loma Linda, Redlands, Twentynine Palms, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley and a portion of San Bernardino.
By Neil Derry, published by The Sun on Feb 8, 2012