Contact:  Ralph J. Eannace, Jr.

County Executive

798-5800

Oneida County Executive Ralph J. Eannace, Jr. today reacted to the decisions of Judge David Hurd in several tax foreclosure and related court actions of the City of Sherrill, the County of Madison, and the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. Oneida County participated in these lawsuits by filing amicus curiae briefs in support of the City of Sherrill and the Madison County.

Eannace said, "We were very disappointed by the decision of Judge Hurd. We believe that there are a number of points in his decisions that should and can be appealed. We have already notified both Madison County and the City of Sherrill that we intend to fully and aggressively support their efforts to appeal Judge Hurd's decisions. As co-defendants in the main Oneida Nation Land Claim case with Madison County, we feel that many of the points in Judge Hurd's decision, which were reached on a summary judgement basis, without full development of a court record or arguments, could have a very detrimental affect on issues surrounding the land claim itself."

"The implication of Judge Hurd's findings of Indian Country, based on 200 year old treaties, could lead to very damaging results for people and communities, not only in Oneida and Madison Counties, but in the related land claim communities of several counties across the State of New York. Oneida County and several other upstate counties have already joined together to propose many legislative solutions both in Washington and in Albany as recommended by Judge David Hurd. On the need for legislative action to assist our communities, we agree with Judge Hurd."

"We have consistently maintained that a comprehensive negotiated solution is our best option to resolve these matters fairly for everyone who lives in Central New York. To that end, we will continue to keep the door for negotiations open." Eannace concluded.