Wednesday, March 26, 2008
798-5800
Statement
of Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.
On Meeting With the
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. today released this statement after meeting with Oneida Indian Nation Representative Raymond Halbritter to discuss the Nation’s land-in-trust application and related issues.
This very important meeting was a significant step in a process that will continue as we explore options that can result in a solution that does the greatest possible good for the people of our region.
Because I believe that an agreement developed at the level of the people will have the greatest enduring strength and promise, I am looking forward to future talks so that the beginnings of today’s meeting have the time to more fully develop.
In this time of major transition at the state government level, and the need for New York State to be an active partner in any final resolution of all issues, further discussions that lead to an expanded discussion group can help move our region closer to the day when a full unity of purpose is achieved that can build a greater economy that will stand the test of time.
I strongly believe that when people of good find common ground in a concern for the needs of future generations, there can be progress. I also understand that resolving complex, complicated issues that involve millions of dollars will require time.
I respect the intense importance this meeting has for thousands of area residents who work at or patronize Nation businesses as well as the thousands more residents who have a stake in the ultimate resolution of the issues discussed today. However, because all conversations at this point are both sensitive and very tentative, I will not make public statements on the various possibilities that were discussed today.
I hope that future sessions will develop progress to the point where we will have a creative, innovative wide-ranging solution that will resolve many of the long-standing issues of our region and lay a foundation for years of future growth. When that solution takes a more definite form, I will be very glad to involve all the people of the region in discussing any possible agreement.