Town leader opposes Seneca off-reservation casino

Thursday, March 12, 2009  

The leader of a New York town where the Seneca Nation wants to build an off-reservation says he is opposed to the project.

Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini said the tribe won't sign an agreement to pay the town $15 million a year. “The Seneca Nation group that I have met with several times are a nice bunch of people and mean well, however, I cannot support this endeavor unless they are willing to meet the terms of the agreements that are already in place,” said in a statement quoted by The Albany Times-Union.

Attorney Rob Porter said the tribe is willing to pay the town to address the impacts of the casino. But he said the tribe prefers a "pay-as-you-go" plan.

The tribe is trying to gain local and state support for the casino to ask Congress, rather than the Interior Department, to approve it.

Get the Story:
Capitol Confidential: Town leader: Senecas are nice people with unacceptable plan (The Albany Times-Union 3/12)
Senecas meet with Gunther about proposed casino (Mid-Hudson News Network 3/12)