Casino news source: Post Journal - http://post-journal.com/
Officials Still Confident In Buffalo Casino
By SHARON TURANO
‘‘The progress we have made to date on our Buffalo Creek territory will not be impacted by this decision, and we will continue to move forward with ongoing construction and our drive to create economic development opportunities on our territories.’’
— Maurice A. John, Seneca Nation president
1/20/2007 - BUFFALO — Seneca Nation of Indians officials remain confident a Buffalo casino will be built despite a federal judge’s ruling last week that further federal review is needed to make sure the land where it is to be constructed has been deemed Indian property.
William Skretny, federal court judge, ruled the National Indian Gaming Commission never gave a determination that the land the Seneca Nation acquired in Buffalo was designated Indian land. Whether it has been or not is expected to go back to federal officials to determine. The federal officials work under the same auspices as the gaming commission. While critics of the casino are claiming victory, Maurice A. John, Seneca Nation president, sees it another way.
‘‘The Seneca Nation of Indians has followed all legal processes in regard to developing our gaming enterprises,’’ he said in response to the judge’s decision. ‘‘We understand that further federal review is forthcoming and are confident that the National Indian Gaming Commission will reach the same conclusion that the United States Department of the Interior and the United States Department of Justice have already reached —that ... the lands in question are indeed Seneca lands, again.’’
The nation has until Dec. 9 to open the site under a compact it has with the state to operate three Western New York casinos. The first opened was the Seneca Nation Casino in Niagara Falls, the second is the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, and the Buffalo casino is to be the third. Since Seneca officials expect the third site to open, they do not expect it to put the compact in jeopardy.
Richard Lippes, a Buffalo attorney involved in the lawsuit for casino critics, could not be reached for comment Monday.
‘‘The progress we have made to date on our Buffalo Creek territory will not be impacted by this decision, and we will continue to move forward with ongoing construction and our drive to create economic development opportunities on our territories,’’ John said. |
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