Editorial: Confusion over DOI's position on casino

Monday, November 14, 2005  

"The St. Regis Mohawks began publicly urging Gov. George Pataki to sign off on a deal after the tribe abandoned its plans for a casino at Kutsher's Sports Academy for one at Monticello Raceway. Both sites are in Sullivan County. Tribe leaders made this decision, in part, because they believed the Monticello site was closer to federal approval than Kutshers. The Mohawks had looked at Monticello as a potential casino site years ago. They went through part of the federal approval process but then homed in on Kutsher's before this latest switch.

Not so fast, says the U.S. Department of Interior. In a letter to tribal Chief Jim Ransom, the interior's solicitor says the raceway is in the "earliest stages of review."

Obviously, confusion abounds over these matters. The governor's office has asked the U.S. Department of Interior if it has completed its review of the raceway site and whether other issues, such as environmental determinations, are unresolved as well."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Casino issues need clarity (The Poughkeepsie Journal 11/13)