"Anyone who thought the dispute between the Escambia County Commission and Poarch Band of Creek Indians would end with a statement last week from the acting chief of the Interior Department’s Indian Affairs Bureau was likely mistaken.

But our local officials — both county and tribe — can take this into their own hands and come to an agreement, because everyone has a lot to lose in this situation.

Here’s where we started: Commission members said they wanted a federal opinion about whether Poarch is on federally protected property, arguing that a three-year-old Supreme Court ruling could say otherwise. The county’s argument is that a citizen could sue commissioners if Poarch actually owes property taxes because its land is not protected.

Poarch, of course, argues that it is protected, and the Interior Department agreed. It stands to reason that means the tribe’s property cannot be taxed, but who knows whether a court would rule that way."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Both sides can work together (The Brewton Standard 6/13)

Also Today:
Commission’s next move? (The Atmore News 6/13)
County to invite PCI (The Atmore Advance 6/13)

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County wants meeting with Poarch Creeks amid casino dispute (6/12)