By Joyce Kryszak
Irving, NY – A western New York activist group, Citizens Against Casino Gambling, is calling for a public referendum in protest to the newly finalized casino compact.
And now the treasurer for the Seneca Nation of Indians says he will oppose the land purchases for casinos in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
Governor Pataki and Seneca President Cyrus Schindler signed the long delayed casino compact Sunday that cleared the way for the casinos.
Seneca Nation Treasurer Arnold Cooper says the deal signed by his president and New York's governor amounts to "smoke and mirrors."
According to Cooper, who is a long time opponent of the compact, the terms of the agreement now guarantee labor organization at the future casinos. And that, Cooper says is not what was written in the referendum approved by the Seneca People in May. He says the Corporation formed by Seneca President Cyrus Schindler two weeks ago was an end-run around the issue that had kept Pataki from signing the compact. Now, he says casino development issues, such as labor agreements, will be shielded from scrutiny.
Cooper says he also against the land purchases because they would use Seneca Settlement Acy monies to buy land outside the Nation's aboriginal territory. But casino backers say the deal for casinos in Buffalo and Niagara Falls will benefit the Seneca People , as well as the two Western New York municipalities.