“
Oneida
County
’s Comments for Oneida Indian Land Into
Trust application-Group’s 1 and 2”
Immediate
Release
For Information Contact
Wednesday, February 1, 2006 Brian Adey, 798-5800
Griffo
Issues Statement on Trust Application
In
response to statements from the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, Oneida County
Executive Joseph A. Griffo issued the following statement:
“
Oneida
County
had no choice but to oppose the application because it represented another
all-or-nothing filing. Taking 17,000 acres into trust creates a situation that
imposes a checkerboard of authority and regulation and is against the best
interests of the people of Oneida County, including Nation employees whose homes
could be impacted by unrestricted land use activities in the land claim area and
whose taxes could be lowered if a fair, final and complete agreement was reached
on the status of the Nation’s lands. The Nation’s claim that a checkerboard
already exists is a misrepresentation, because although there are many levels of
governments, they all abide by the same rules and regulations, particularly in
areas that impact the health and safety of others and actions that impact land
use and the environment.”
“As I have said before,
this is not about closing a casino. I recognize that in the context of issues
related to their gaming compact and regulations regarding gambling that there
are special concerns for Turning Stone and that it is important to ensure the
viability of an enterprise employing thousands of local people. However, the
application offered no room for the kinds of negotiation that are vital to
arriving at a viable solution.”
“Instead of all-or-nothing proposals, we need to bring all the parties
in this case in one room at the same time to hammer out a fair, final negotiated
settlement that will preserve existing jobs and create a climate for growing new
ones. When there is a serious commitment to resolve this issue, we believe it
can be resolved and will be resolved. I am ready now, and I wait for other
parties to join me.”