7QUESTIONS+PLUS

Eric Olson may be best known as the president of the Kenosha Unified School board, but last month he became known as the new project director of the Kenosha casino complex. It turns out Olson doesn’t do much gambling, but he notes the proposed casino project is about a lot more than gambling. He also believes that Kenosha will be getting a new high school soon. In the meantime, he’s got our mouths watering at the thought of one of his gourmet meals.

Eric Olson will now take your questions:

What qualities do you have that make you the right person to be project coordinator for the proposed Kenosha casino? I have been in sales for over 30 years dealing with many top corporations and government entities. I feel we need to sell this project to the Kenosha community, the state and to the Department of Interior and show them how much our area will benefit from the jobs, opportunities and educational openings this project offers. I think I also have a knack for getting to the heart of a matter and finding ways to solve problems.

Given all the recent controversy, as well as the Interior Director’s opposition to off-reservation gambling, does the Kenosha project really have a chance? I truly believe it does or I would not have left my job at Cherry, where I was employed for 31 years. This should not be a partisan decision. The building of this project will benefit this entire area and all the people who live here.

What happens if Team Bush leaves office before acting on the proposal or having actually rejected it? Does it get passed along to a new administration, or would you have to start the process anew? We would not have to start anew. All the documents are finalized and contain more information than required. The Menominee tribe will wait. They were put on the reservation a long time ago and have waited a long time to get a chance to help their people.

Does the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe’s campaign against the Kenosha casino hurt or help regulators’ and the public’s perception of the project here? There are so many lies in their ads that I think it hurts them in the end. I think people see that they will do whatever it takes to hold on to their monopoly so they can make more money and hurt this area. The truth is that the Menominee Tribe will be the sole owner of the entertainment and casino project. The money stays here in Wisconsin. Some people just don't like competition.

Do you see yourself as filling part of the role of Dennis Troha? And do you believe Troha’s recent legal issues will have any effect on getting the casino approved? There is no way I could ever fill Mr. Troha's shoes nor could I ever give back to this area what he and his wife have over the years. I do see myself as being the point man for this project in Kenosha. I have an office at Dairyland Greyhound Park, and I am here to answer questions, present truthful information on the Kenosha Casino Project and to make sure the citizens know who the Menominee Tribe is and what they stand for. The first thing I ever heard from a tribal leader was that if it the project wasn't good for the residents of Kenosha it would not be good for the members of the Menominee Nation. Joan Delabrue told me that eight years ago and said it again last week. As far as any effect on the project, Mr. Troha is no longer involved in any way and while some might like to take political cover because of his issues, the facts are that the project is still good for Southeast Wisconsin and the Menominees.

Why are people so passionate for or against a casino in Kenosha? Isn’t it another source of revenue and jobs the community can benefit from? I guess some people are just anti-gaming. Just like some are anti-alcohol or smoking. But in visiting the Mohegan Sun Casino, I was blown away by the retail shops, the beautiful hotel, the 24 restaurants, the 10,000-person arena, the two smaller lounges. I was there for hours before I even set foot on the casino floor. On a smaller scale, this is what the Menominee will build in Kenosha. There will be over 3,000 jobs created that pay well and have good benefits. There will be contracts with local vendors and this will be built using local union labor. Plus, there is an agreement that will pay Kenosha and the state millions of dollars a year.
If the casino comes to fruition, which game(s) would you play? I have gone to Vegas for business for years and can say I am not much of a gambler. Maybe the Wheel of Fortune slot machine and I'd love to try out Texas Hold'em just once.

Las Vegas or Atlantic City — and why? Never been to Atlantic City. I have gone to Vegas at least once a year for business. There are a lot of conventions in Vegas and I can see Kenosha finally having the facility to host large groups year round.

What are your thoughts on gambling? Doesn’'t bother me one way or another. Like many things in life there are people who have a problem. The Tribe and the County have a plan in place to help anyone who does have a problem. But this project is about many more things than gambling.

What plans does the casino have in place to deal with customers who are clearly gambling addicts? The Casino has plans to identify people with problems and has a contract in place to have local agencies help these people cope with their addiction. The Menominees were very active, early on, with setting up this program.

How do you feel about some of the criticism you received (from Bill Guida and alleged by others at a recent school board meeting) that there is a conflict of interest with you representing the casino and still serving on the school board? If there is I don't see it. It would be like telling Ralph Tenuta or Mike Radigan that they could not be on the School Board because they sell alcohol. I will tell you this, the first time anyone sees me push gambling in front of students will be the day I resign from the Board. However, I will use my position on the Board to make sure our students get the right classes and training so that they can get these high paying jobs in food and beverage; in finance; in high-tech security; in computer programming, in hotel management.

How serious is the gang issue in the city, how is that affecting the school system, and can it be fixed? Or are we too late? It is serious and growing. Just like it is across the country. However, we can make inroads by providing outlets for our students to participate in. Not just in our schools but at the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, through our churches. Kids that get into gangs are looking for a family. For some it's a gang. But it could be a football team, a school orchestra or just a place to hang out with positive peers instead of a gang. We can't put our heads in the sand on this problem.

Several Bradford students have called the school board to task for not doing enough to relieve overcrowding and build a new school. Is that a bunch of doped-up hippie nonsense? No, it's not nonsense and the students were only high on life and their school. Both Bradford and Tremper will be 1,000 students each over their capacity. That's unsafe and not ideal for a good education. Also, Reuther, Lakeview Tech and Indian Trail will all be at or near capacity. That leaves us with double shifting or makeshift portables. The board plans to introduce a referendum that will allow us to build a new high school for a VERY small increase in taxes. I'm proud to say that of the eight school building projects that have been built since I joined the board, all have been built on time and below budget. All of my fellow board members, district administrators and the facilities staff at the ESC have made that happen. It shows that we truly work to make sure our taxes are being spent properly.

What are the chances that the school board will be able to convince the Kenosha public to approve a new school in the spring referendum, and how much more will it cost them in taxes? As I said I am not a big gambler, but I think that a new high school, like the Casino, will be built before I retire and I'm almost 60. I think the high school will cost less than $70 in taxes on a $200,000 house. That’'s less than $1.50 a week.

What do you do to unwind? I love to cook gourmet dinners. The Packers are a passion and I try to golf once in a while. I also love to travel to Ireland, Napa Valley and Provence in France.

If you could swap places with anyone for one day, whom would you choose and why? George W. Bush. I’d stop all the foolishness and get back to concentrating on the problems in America. We need to fix our infrastructure and schools and start reducing the debt.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I played Rugby for over 25 years. Even after 45, I played in Golden Oldie Rugby Tournaments in Ireland, New Zealand and France. At each tournament there would be over 5,000 rugby players from all over the world, some players as old as 90 and still trying to hit you as hard as they could. I was also a Golden Gloves State Boxing Champ.

If money was no object, what hobby would you like to try? Make movies, like Woody Allen.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? South of France. The beauty, the food, the wine, the people and my wife Alice with me. It's like living in a Monet painting every day.
What is the theme song for the movie that is being made about your life? Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a Changing.''

If your house started on fire, what one (non-living) item would you take with you on your way out the door? My Dad's WWII Army Aircorp Pilot's cap. He flew with that "over the hump" from India into China supplying the Flying Tigers Air Squadron.

What’s your favorite restaurant in Kenosha? Bartley House. Good friends, good food, great staff.
What is the most enlightening piece of advice ever given to you? It's from a poem by Robert Frost. About taking the road less traveled. It has made all the difference!