Casino/Hotel Groundbreaking Set

The Jamul Indian Village has announced it will break ground on its Jamul-area casino and resort at 10 a.m. Dec. 10.

The Saturday event will feature food, live entertainment and $200,000 in door prizes, the tribe announced.

Tribal Chairman Leon Acebedo said the project may be finished by December 2007. "We look forward to opening our doors and taking reservations for New Year's Eve 2007," he said.

The tribe has circulated renderings of a 30-story tower near state Route 94. Since its property is small, the Jamul Indian Village has proposed building up, rather than sprawling out.

The plan has been a lightning rod for criticism. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposes the casino plan, saying her opinion reflects the majority of the Jamul residents who oppose it. Privately, some Jamul residents say they support the American Indian tribe.

, Brad Graves