Page 27 - May 2008 • Southern California Gaming Guide

May 2008 Tribes in the News
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians Donates $250,000 for High School
AIthletic Field
n April the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians announced a donation of $250,000 to support the fundraising campaign for a synthetic turf sports field at Granite Hills High School in El Cajon. Granite Hills High School principal Georgette Torres said the Tribe’s donation completes the school’s fundraising
goal of $1.2 million dollars for the project.
“ is is very exciting and on behalf of our school’s students, parents, sta and others who have worked so hard on this fundraising project, we’d like to express our sincerest appreciation to the Viejas Tribal Council for thiscontribution,”saidTorres.“ isisaprojectthatwill bene t students from throughout the school district
and across our community for generations to come.” Viejas Tribal Chairman Bobby L. Barrett said,
“Many Viejas tribal youth have attended Granite Hills HighSchool,soweknowwhatagreatassetithasbeen— and will continue to be—for the entire community. In fact, Viejas tribal member Ral Christman is a graduate of Granite Hills High School and teaches Social Science
AOgua Caliente Band Gives Rancho Mirage Funds to Help Ease Traffic
at the school. Viejas has a long tradition of supporting our friends and neighbors; we call this e Kumeyaay Way and we are proud to continue the tradition through
this donation to Granite Hills High School.”
e Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians contributes over $2 million dollars annually to civic and charitable
organizations in San Diego County.
Other supporters of the project include the County
of San Diego, Grossmont Union High School District, Helix Water District, and individual donors to the Kumeyaay Giving Wall.
Work on the synthetic turf project will begin in mid- June and is expected to complete in early September.
Members of the Viejas Tribal Council present a $250,000 check to of cials of Granite Hills High School in El Cajon. The Tribe’s contribution completes the school’s $1.2 million fundraising goal for athletic eld improvements. (Photo: Business Wire)
n April 3rd the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians presented the City Rancho Mirage Mayor Dana Hobart said the agreements signaled a new era and of Rancho Mirage with a $420,230 check as a one-time fee to help tra c set the benchmark for what was expected to become an enduring partnership with around its new $300 million hotel casino resort that opened on April 18th. the City. e check presentation demonstrates the commitment of the tribe and the
e check was given as part of an agreement the two governments forged in March city to work together to resolve tra c situations springing from the Agua Caliente 2007. e agreement included more than $5 million in tribal fees for impacts to the Casino Resort Spa, Hobart said.
area as a result of the new hotel.
May 2008 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE Page 27
Southern California Tribes in the News