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Stop Mega-Casino Horseracing Cruelty in Dixon!
The Magna Entertainment Corporation (MEC) can be stopped from bringing their horseracing mega-racino dubbed "Dixon Downs" to the delta town of Dixon..
Here is where animal rights activists and community groups can join together in preventing MEC from bringing their horseracing casino to delta town Dixon. Tight quarters, broken bones and steroid injections for horses are violations of animal rights law, ammonia/nitrate run-off (from horseshit ponds) into Putah Creek watershed (eutrophication) negatively impacts riparian ecosystems, and noise/lights/traffic smog are violations of air/quality of life for Dixon residents. Other people living downwind of the proposed Dixon Downs (ie., inland) would also get additional smog burdens in the already toxic soup of Sacto/San Joaqiun Valley air..
Even if you don't live in Dixon, the proposed Dixon Downs horseracing casino from MEC will likely effect your quality of life. If you care about the welfare of the horses held in captivity at the racetrack, they need an extra voice! Everyone from near and far is encouraged to attend the Dixon City Council meeting on Sept. 13th and voice their opposition to Dixon Downs..
This from the Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth;
"And so it begins, the final steps for the Canadian company to bring a horseracetrack/gambling facility ( with 5,000 indoor bar-stools) to Dixon. Unless we stop it!
Please remember, there are 4,000 plus residents who have signed a letter to city officials stating that they are opposed to this project. (That would fill the audience seats of Dixon City Hall 200 times!)
An important date to remember:
September 13, 2006
7:00 pm
Dixon City Hall
600 East A Street
Dixon, CA
This will be the first day of public hearings held by the Planning Commission. I will send reminders of the meetings so that we can all make plans to attend them if possible.
In a mailing that was received from the City of Dixon,
it states:
Any persons interested in the proposed Dixon Downs project are invited to attend the hearing.
Alternatively, written comments may be submitted at any time prior to the hearing date and those comments will be forwarded to the Planning Commission.
Mailing address:
City of Dixon
600 East A Street
Dixon, CA 95620
Below, you may find an article from today's The Reporter about these meetings. There should be a link so that you may view the Development Agreement too.
One last reminder:
Tonight at 7:00, there will be a Candidates' Forum with the Dixon City Council candidates at the Dixon City Hall. One of our DCQG members is a candidate! Kay Fulfs Cayler! Good Luck Kay!
Sincerely,
Cissie Perkins
Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth member
707-628-9211
"
contact DCQG @;
http://www.dumpthedowns.org/
other animal rights info on horseracing/MEC;
Similar to greyhound racing (which MEC is/was also involved in, closed down Multnomah Kennel Club), horse racing also views the animals as expendable following any injuries. An injured horse will always be a liability and are usually put to sleep. Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs also contribute to long term health problems in horses. If the corporation discovers that turnout isn't profitable when compared to the expense of operations, they will close their facility and leave the local taxpayers with clean-up costs. Race horses are also considered damaged goods and will be killed via mass euthanasia if they cannot be sold..
"Kennel operators are constantly squeezed by the need to get the losers and injured out of the cages, the need to make money by filling the cages with fresh stock and the need to keep their breeder-clients happy by opening up cage space for new dogs off the farm. It is the greyhounds that pay the ultimate price for this disastrous system. While some kennel operators and trainers fight the system and try to do the best they can for the dogs, others take the easy way out and load up the kill trucks."
more on exploitation of greyhounds @;
http://www.greyhounds.org/gpl/contents/exploit.html
Horse racing is also ALL about profits for the corporation. Drugs, abuse and cruelty are everyday facts of life for the animals when compassion is measured by monetary standards..
"To keep horses racing through pain, handlers administer Lasix and Bute. These pain relievers numb pain, but do not treat the injuries that cause pain. Consequently, these injuries get worse. Horses that suffer severe injuries as a result of drug induced racing get sold to slaughterhouses, a more profitable venture for breeders than euthanization. These horses suffer long cramped rides to the slaughterhouse without painkillers, in unfit trailers. Handlers also use Lasix to mask the presence of illegal substances such as steroids.
A horse that fails to win also faces death in a slaughterhouse, where operators sell the horse's flesh overseas for human consumption, or provide horsemeat to glue factories."
more on horse racing cruelty @;
http://www.idausa.org/facts/racing.html
This from the UK, another country notorious for promoting corporate abuse of racing horses..
"The survivors are denied their freedom and pushed to their limits to serve the financial interests of trainers, owners and bookies. Of those horses who do go on to race, around 375 are raced to death every year. Because they are bred for speed, not strength, many sustain irreparable breaks to their bones and are shot."
more @;
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/racing/intro.htm
The abuse begins at adolescence when the horses are still growing in captivity. This from PETA;
"Racing to the Grave
Horses begin training or are already racing when their skeletal systems are still growing and are unprepared to handle the pressures of running on a hard track at high speeds.(5) Improved medical treatment and technological advancements have done little to remedy the plight of the racehorse. One study on injuries at racetracks concluded that one horse in every 22 races suffered an injury that prevented him or her from finishing a race, while another estimates that 800 thoroughbreds die each year in North America because of injuries.(6) Strained tendons or hairline fractures can be tough for veterinarians to diagnose, and the damage may go from minor to irreversible at the next race or workout. Horses do not handle surgery well, as they tend to be disoriented when coming out of anesthesia, and they may fight casts or slings, possibly causing further injury. Many are euthanized in order to save the owners further veterinary fees and other expenses on horses who can’t race again."
more PETA horseracing factsheet @;
http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=65
Magna Entertainment Corp. closed their Multanomah greyhound racing facility in Oregon on Dec 31, 2004. MEC's media PR statement claims that the retired greyhounds were given away to adoption agencies. Proof exists where? MEC's Multanomah manager Chris Dragone scapegoats nearby Native American casinos for MEC's economic loss and racetrack closure. Or could it be that watching greyhound racing isn't really that popular? Are enough people aware of animal cruelty at racetracks (greyhound or horse) that business would decline at Dixon Downs also??
"Chris Dragone, general manager of Multnomah stated, "We are disappointed to shut down Multnomah Greyhound Park, but have no alternative given the competitive pressure we face from the state lottery, Indian casinos, and other forms of wagering available to Oregon residents. We are committed, however, to acting in a responsible manner as we phase out greyhound racing. We will continue to work with the Oregon Greyhound Association to keep their adoption kennel open until all of the currently retired Oregon greyhounds have found a home."
"
entire article @;
http://www.doggienews.com/2004/12/greyhound-racing-ends-in-oregon.htm
Even if you don't live in Dixon, the proposed Dixon Downs horseracing casino from MEC will likely effect your quality of life. If you care about the welfare of the horses held in captivity at the racetrack, they need an extra voice! Everyone from near and far is encouraged to attend the Dixon City Council meeting on Sept. 13th and voice their opposition to Dixon Downs..
This from the Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth;
"And so it begins, the final steps for the Canadian company to bring a horseracetrack/gambling facility ( with 5,000 indoor bar-stools) to Dixon. Unless we stop it!
Please remember, there are 4,000 plus residents who have signed a letter to city officials stating that they are opposed to this project. (That would fill the audience seats of Dixon City Hall 200 times!)
An important date to remember:
September 13, 2006
7:00 pm
Dixon City Hall
600 East A Street
Dixon, CA
This will be the first day of public hearings held by the Planning Commission. I will send reminders of the meetings so that we can all make plans to attend them if possible.
In a mailing that was received from the City of Dixon,
it states:
Any persons interested in the proposed Dixon Downs project are invited to attend the hearing.
Alternatively, written comments may be submitted at any time prior to the hearing date and those comments will be forwarded to the Planning Commission.
Mailing address:
City of Dixon
600 East A Street
Dixon, CA 95620
Below, you may find an article from today's The Reporter about these meetings. There should be a link so that you may view the Development Agreement too.
One last reminder:
Tonight at 7:00, there will be a Candidates' Forum with the Dixon City Council candidates at the Dixon City Hall. One of our DCQG members is a candidate! Kay Fulfs Cayler! Good Luck Kay!
Sincerely,
Cissie Perkins
Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth member
707-628-9211
"
contact DCQG @;
http://www.dumpthedowns.org/
other animal rights info on horseracing/MEC;
Similar to greyhound racing (which MEC is/was also involved in, closed down Multnomah Kennel Club), horse racing also views the animals as expendable following any injuries. An injured horse will always be a liability and are usually put to sleep. Steroids and other performance enhancing drugs also contribute to long term health problems in horses. If the corporation discovers that turnout isn't profitable when compared to the expense of operations, they will close their facility and leave the local taxpayers with clean-up costs. Race horses are also considered damaged goods and will be killed via mass euthanasia if they cannot be sold..
"Kennel operators are constantly squeezed by the need to get the losers and injured out of the cages, the need to make money by filling the cages with fresh stock and the need to keep their breeder-clients happy by opening up cage space for new dogs off the farm. It is the greyhounds that pay the ultimate price for this disastrous system. While some kennel operators and trainers fight the system and try to do the best they can for the dogs, others take the easy way out and load up the kill trucks."
more on exploitation of greyhounds @;
http://www.greyhounds.org/gpl/contents/exploit.html
Horse racing is also ALL about profits for the corporation. Drugs, abuse and cruelty are everyday facts of life for the animals when compassion is measured by monetary standards..
"To keep horses racing through pain, handlers administer Lasix and Bute. These pain relievers numb pain, but do not treat the injuries that cause pain. Consequently, these injuries get worse. Horses that suffer severe injuries as a result of drug induced racing get sold to slaughterhouses, a more profitable venture for breeders than euthanization. These horses suffer long cramped rides to the slaughterhouse without painkillers, in unfit trailers. Handlers also use Lasix to mask the presence of illegal substances such as steroids.
A horse that fails to win also faces death in a slaughterhouse, where operators sell the horse's flesh overseas for human consumption, or provide horsemeat to glue factories."
more on horse racing cruelty @;
http://www.idausa.org/facts/racing.html
This from the UK, another country notorious for promoting corporate abuse of racing horses..
"The survivors are denied their freedom and pushed to their limits to serve the financial interests of trainers, owners and bookies. Of those horses who do go on to race, around 375 are raced to death every year. Because they are bred for speed, not strength, many sustain irreparable breaks to their bones and are shot."
more @;
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/racing/intro.htm
The abuse begins at adolescence when the horses are still growing in captivity. This from PETA;
"Racing to the Grave
Horses begin training or are already racing when their skeletal systems are still growing and are unprepared to handle the pressures of running on a hard track at high speeds.(5) Improved medical treatment and technological advancements have done little to remedy the plight of the racehorse. One study on injuries at racetracks concluded that one horse in every 22 races suffered an injury that prevented him or her from finishing a race, while another estimates that 800 thoroughbreds die each year in North America because of injuries.(6) Strained tendons or hairline fractures can be tough for veterinarians to diagnose, and the damage may go from minor to irreversible at the next race or workout. Horses do not handle surgery well, as they tend to be disoriented when coming out of anesthesia, and they may fight casts or slings, possibly causing further injury. Many are euthanized in order to save the owners further veterinary fees and other expenses on horses who can’t race again."
more PETA horseracing factsheet @;
http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=65
Magna Entertainment Corp. closed their Multanomah greyhound racing facility in Oregon on Dec 31, 2004. MEC's media PR statement claims that the retired greyhounds were given away to adoption agencies. Proof exists where? MEC's Multanomah manager Chris Dragone scapegoats nearby Native American casinos for MEC's economic loss and racetrack closure. Or could it be that watching greyhound racing isn't really that popular? Are enough people aware of animal cruelty at racetracks (greyhound or horse) that business would decline at Dixon Downs also??
"Chris Dragone, general manager of Multnomah stated, "We are disappointed to shut down Multnomah Greyhound Park, but have no alternative given the competitive pressure we face from the state lottery, Indian casinos, and other forms of wagering available to Oregon residents. We are committed, however, to acting in a responsible manner as we phase out greyhound racing. We will continue to work with the Oregon Greyhound Association to keep their adoption kennel open until all of the currently retired Oregon greyhounds have found a home."
"
entire article @;
http://www.doggienews.com/2004/12/greyhound-racing-ends-in-oregon.htm
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here's copy of email from Dump the Downs, Dixon Citizens for Quality Growth (DCQG);
Good Evening Everyone!
I am sending two articles about last night's Public Hearing at the Planning
Commission meeting. (In case you do not receive either publications.)
There were many stupendous, articulate and insightful speakers opposing the
proposed Dixon Downs. Many speakers gave compelling arguments to the fact that
Dixon Downs is not right for Dixon.
Everyone is encouraged to write a Letter to the Editor of The Reporter and request
that more responsible reporting be done on this very important matter.
letters [at] TheReporter.com is the email address to submit your letter.
Sincerely,
Cissie Perkins
DCQG member
707-628-9211
Here's the article's text;
Article Launched: 09/15/2006 06:43:44 AM PDT
Voices rise over track for Dixon
By Melissa Murphy/Staff Writer
On an evenly vocal playing field Thursday night, Dixon residents took
advantage of the opportunity to voice opinions pro and con about a
proposed horse racetrack. The Planning Commission listened to more
than 20 speakers, during the second in a series of public hearings,
scheduled to hear comments about Dixon Downs, a proposed thoroughbred
horse racing facility, entertainment and commercial complex that would
be developed on 260 acres in the Northeast quadrant of the city. The
complex would include a Finish Line Pavilion which could also operate as
a performing arts center, along with retail and commercial uses, a
hotel/conference center and office space. Despite promises by Magna
Entertainment Corp., the developer who is proposing the project, some
people still don't think a racetrack is good for Dixon, or for any city
for that matter. "God wouldn't want gambling just as much as he
wouldn't want a house of prostitution," said Johanna Smith, wearing an
'I Love Jesus' T-shirt. "Gambling and prostitution are two sins commonly expressed
in the same breath. I pray twice a day that Dixon Downs will not be a reality."
Some people present even referred to the possibility of the project as "impending
doom." "We seem to be struck by the sense of impending doom," said Marime Burton,
a Dixon resident. "I see a giant smothering hand, calling all the shots. I see the
city of Dixon being bought and paid for by Magna. We're not as gullible as they
would like to believe." Even a resident from Davis who grew up on the edge of
Dixon, Rebecca Wu, felt the need to voice her opinion about the impacts of a
racetrack. "I wish I had grown up in a small town like this," Wu said. "If you
build a large business like Dixon Downs, you will walk down the streets and not
know anyone. I think you should be aware of the consequences. I love horse racing
but I think there are other alternatives that could be generating the same type of
revenue."
Some have held onto their hopes, however, that the racetrack will be built and
that it will bring jobs to the community and revenue beyond anything Dixon has
seen. "For 10 years the Northeast Quadrant has laid vacant," said Gordon
Hammond, president of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce. "We need a large deep-pocket
entity, like Dixon Downs to build the much needed infrastructure." Magna has
promised it will be more than a racetrack, training center and place to stay, shop
and dine. The Finish Line Pavilion and entertainment complex will be designed to
address the civic needs of Dixon businesses and citizens and will be capable of
hosting a variety of events for the entire community. Bill Birdsong, a resident
and business owner in Dixon, touched on a topic that wasn't included in previous
documents. "The character of the company (Magna)," Birdsong said. "They have
listened for five years to people who have attacked that character." Birdsong
shared with the commission how Magna owner Frank Stronach helped Katrina victims by giving them homes and land to cultivate. "He helped because he could," Birdsong said. "That's the kind of business I want as a neighbor." The Planning Commission will continue the public
hearings on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 600 East A. Street.
Melissa Murphy can be reached at dixon [at] thereporter.com.
The Davis Enterprise:
Friday September 15, 2006
Residents speak out on track
Published Sep 15, 2006 - 20:18:44 CDT.
Jobs are good, traffic is bad, commission told
By Ian Thompson/McNaughton Newspapers
DIXON — Those who liked the idea of having a horse racing track in town called it a
job generator that would benefit Dixon’s economy and put it on the map.
Those who didn’t told Dixon Planning Commissioners on Thursday the racetrack would
exacerbate the region’s traffic congestion and that the golden future promised by
Magna Entertainment Corp. would quickly fade.
“It is bad for Dixon and its residents and it simply doesn’t fit the community,”
said opponent Gale Preston.
“Magna has the funds to put in the infrastructure in (Dixon’s) northeast
quadrant that will allow other smaller businesses to start up,” said
supporter Cindy Duncan, who called the proposed racetrack and
entertainment center proposed for Pedrick Road “visionary.”
Dixon Planning Commission members listened politely and took copious notes during
the second of what is expected to be four nights of public hearings before they make
a recommendation to the City Council.
City Manager Warren Salmons and Magna Entertainment representatives were the only
ones to speak at Wednesday’s public hearing before the Planning Commission, which
continued Thursday night with public comment.
Monday night will be reserved for the dozens of residents, union members and
businesses potentially affected to comment about the report on Magna’s proposed
projects.
Salmons and with consultants from the firms that put together the voluminous studies
on the track’s potential effects laid out how they believe Dixon Downs will impact
the city’s economy, traffic, public safety and other city services.
Magna representatives spent the rest of the evening explaining how
they felt the track will benefit the town, calling it a good fit for
Dixon’s agricultural heritage.
The Canadian-based entertainment corporation wants to build a state-of-the-art
thoroughbred racetrack and entertainment complex on 260 acres in northeast Dixon
adjacent to Interstate 80.
They described it as a pedestrian-friendly complex with good restaurants, a modern
horse racing track and betting area, shopping areas and a hotel complex that will
bring in jobs and sales tax revenue.
Under the present proposal, Magna would build the track and its support facilities
first, followed by the entertainment center and retail stores.
During his comments, Preston called on the city to hire a law firm to go over the
agreement between Dixon and Magna, calling it flimsy and full of questions.
Attorney Steven Rudolph, representing the Campbell Soup Co., which has a processing
facility near the project, said Campbell’s does not object to Magna’s project as
long as its impacts are mitigated.
Rudolph warned that the proposed agreement to have Magna improve the nearby
Interstate 80 interchanges does not firmly hold Magna to contract.
Magna could slip out from under the requirement if Caltrans rejects the interchange
improvement designs, Rudolph said, resulting in the improvements being deferred.
He told the city to require Magna to start the interchange improvements before it
obtains building permits, and complete those improvements before it is allowed to
occupy the track.
Commercial land owners near Magna’s site lauded the proposal, saying it would put in
the expensive sewer, water and road improvements that have kept smaller commercial
developers from building there.
Union representatives pointed out that Magna has been very
civic-minded in Dixon and promised to support a construction trades
apprentice program, which gives preference to Dixon youths.
“We need a large, deep-pocket entity to get the infrastructure started and this is
the only way the northeast quadrant will be developed,” said Gordon Hammond,
president of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce.
The public hearing is expected to continue at 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chamber
at Dixon City Hall, 600 East A St. It could continue to at least one more night
later next week if needed.
The Planning Commission will make its recommendation to the City Council, which will
consider Dixon Downs later this fall.
— Reach Ian Thompson at ithompson [at] dailyrepublic.net
more info @;
http://www.dumpthedowns.org/
Good Evening Everyone!
I am sending two articles about last night's Public Hearing at the Planning
Commission meeting. (In case you do not receive either publications.)
There were many stupendous, articulate and insightful speakers opposing the
proposed Dixon Downs. Many speakers gave compelling arguments to the fact that
Dixon Downs is not right for Dixon.
Everyone is encouraged to write a Letter to the Editor of The Reporter and request
that more responsible reporting be done on this very important matter.
letters [at] TheReporter.com is the email address to submit your letter.
Sincerely,
Cissie Perkins
DCQG member
707-628-9211
Here's the article's text;
Article Launched: 09/15/2006 06:43:44 AM PDT
Voices rise over track for Dixon
By Melissa Murphy/Staff Writer
On an evenly vocal playing field Thursday night, Dixon residents took
advantage of the opportunity to voice opinions pro and con about a
proposed horse racetrack. The Planning Commission listened to more
than 20 speakers, during the second in a series of public hearings,
scheduled to hear comments about Dixon Downs, a proposed thoroughbred
horse racing facility, entertainment and commercial complex that would
be developed on 260 acres in the Northeast quadrant of the city. The
complex would include a Finish Line Pavilion which could also operate as
a performing arts center, along with retail and commercial uses, a
hotel/conference center and office space. Despite promises by Magna
Entertainment Corp., the developer who is proposing the project, some
people still don't think a racetrack is good for Dixon, or for any city
for that matter. "God wouldn't want gambling just as much as he
wouldn't want a house of prostitution," said Johanna Smith, wearing an
'I Love Jesus' T-shirt. "Gambling and prostitution are two sins commonly expressed
in the same breath. I pray twice a day that Dixon Downs will not be a reality."
Some people present even referred to the possibility of the project as "impending
doom." "We seem to be struck by the sense of impending doom," said Marime Burton,
a Dixon resident. "I see a giant smothering hand, calling all the shots. I see the
city of Dixon being bought and paid for by Magna. We're not as gullible as they
would like to believe." Even a resident from Davis who grew up on the edge of
Dixon, Rebecca Wu, felt the need to voice her opinion about the impacts of a
racetrack. "I wish I had grown up in a small town like this," Wu said. "If you
build a large business like Dixon Downs, you will walk down the streets and not
know anyone. I think you should be aware of the consequences. I love horse racing
but I think there are other alternatives that could be generating the same type of
revenue."
Some have held onto their hopes, however, that the racetrack will be built and
that it will bring jobs to the community and revenue beyond anything Dixon has
seen. "For 10 years the Northeast Quadrant has laid vacant," said Gordon
Hammond, president of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce. "We need a large deep-pocket
entity, like Dixon Downs to build the much needed infrastructure." Magna has
promised it will be more than a racetrack, training center and place to stay, shop
and dine. The Finish Line Pavilion and entertainment complex will be designed to
address the civic needs of Dixon businesses and citizens and will be capable of
hosting a variety of events for the entire community. Bill Birdsong, a resident
and business owner in Dixon, touched on a topic that wasn't included in previous
documents. "The character of the company (Magna)," Birdsong said. "They have
listened for five years to people who have attacked that character." Birdsong
shared with the commission how Magna owner Frank Stronach helped Katrina victims by giving them homes and land to cultivate. "He helped because he could," Birdsong said. "That's the kind of business I want as a neighbor." The Planning Commission will continue the public
hearings on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at 600 East A. Street.
Melissa Murphy can be reached at dixon [at] thereporter.com.
The Davis Enterprise:
Friday September 15, 2006
Residents speak out on track
Published Sep 15, 2006 - 20:18:44 CDT.
Jobs are good, traffic is bad, commission told
By Ian Thompson/McNaughton Newspapers
DIXON — Those who liked the idea of having a horse racing track in town called it a
job generator that would benefit Dixon’s economy and put it on the map.
Those who didn’t told Dixon Planning Commissioners on Thursday the racetrack would
exacerbate the region’s traffic congestion and that the golden future promised by
Magna Entertainment Corp. would quickly fade.
“It is bad for Dixon and its residents and it simply doesn’t fit the community,”
said opponent Gale Preston.
“Magna has the funds to put in the infrastructure in (Dixon’s) northeast
quadrant that will allow other smaller businesses to start up,” said
supporter Cindy Duncan, who called the proposed racetrack and
entertainment center proposed for Pedrick Road “visionary.”
Dixon Planning Commission members listened politely and took copious notes during
the second of what is expected to be four nights of public hearings before they make
a recommendation to the City Council.
City Manager Warren Salmons and Magna Entertainment representatives were the only
ones to speak at Wednesday’s public hearing before the Planning Commission, which
continued Thursday night with public comment.
Monday night will be reserved for the dozens of residents, union members and
businesses potentially affected to comment about the report on Magna’s proposed
projects.
Salmons and with consultants from the firms that put together the voluminous studies
on the track’s potential effects laid out how they believe Dixon Downs will impact
the city’s economy, traffic, public safety and other city services.
Magna representatives spent the rest of the evening explaining how
they felt the track will benefit the town, calling it a good fit for
Dixon’s agricultural heritage.
The Canadian-based entertainment corporation wants to build a state-of-the-art
thoroughbred racetrack and entertainment complex on 260 acres in northeast Dixon
adjacent to Interstate 80.
They described it as a pedestrian-friendly complex with good restaurants, a modern
horse racing track and betting area, shopping areas and a hotel complex that will
bring in jobs and sales tax revenue.
Under the present proposal, Magna would build the track and its support facilities
first, followed by the entertainment center and retail stores.
During his comments, Preston called on the city to hire a law firm to go over the
agreement between Dixon and Magna, calling it flimsy and full of questions.
Attorney Steven Rudolph, representing the Campbell Soup Co., which has a processing
facility near the project, said Campbell’s does not object to Magna’s project as
long as its impacts are mitigated.
Rudolph warned that the proposed agreement to have Magna improve the nearby
Interstate 80 interchanges does not firmly hold Magna to contract.
Magna could slip out from under the requirement if Caltrans rejects the interchange
improvement designs, Rudolph said, resulting in the improvements being deferred.
He told the city to require Magna to start the interchange improvements before it
obtains building permits, and complete those improvements before it is allowed to
occupy the track.
Commercial land owners near Magna’s site lauded the proposal, saying it would put in
the expensive sewer, water and road improvements that have kept smaller commercial
developers from building there.
Union representatives pointed out that Magna has been very
civic-minded in Dixon and promised to support a construction trades
apprentice program, which gives preference to Dixon youths.
“We need a large, deep-pocket entity to get the infrastructure started and this is
the only way the northeast quadrant will be developed,” said Gordon Hammond,
president of the Dixon Chamber of Commerce.
The public hearing is expected to continue at 7 p.m. Monday in the Council Chamber
at Dixon City Hall, 600 East A St. It could continue to at least one more night
later next week if needed.
The Planning Commission will make its recommendation to the City Council, which will
consider Dixon Downs later this fall.
— Reach Ian Thompson at ithompson [at] dailyrepublic.net
more info @;
http://www.dumpthedowns.org/
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