By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Masiello fired off a letter to Governor Pataki Thursday demanding that a reported deal by the Seneca Nation to buy property in Cheektowaga for a casino be halted.
Masiello continues his fight to bring a casino to Buffalo. In a letter to Pataki, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Burno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, the mayor is claiming that a casino in Cheekotwaga violates the state's compact with the Senecas. Masiello says the "intent of the compact" was to build two casinos, one in Niagara Falls and one in Buffalo.
Masiello is calling on the state's top leadership to stop the Senecas from moving forward in Cheektowaga. It was reported Thursday that the Senecas had reached a preliminary deal with Uniland to buy property at the Airborne Business Park.
The Mayor has remained very passionate about bringing a casino and new jobs to the City of Buffalo. Masiello says no one else is committing to bring in 2,500 good paying jobs for the city.
"We need the revenue generated from the casino that could generate $12 million to $15 million," Masiello said. "My God, we could use that money for our cultural institutions, preservation and to deliver better service. I don't understand it.
"We have an opportunity to create 2,500 jobs, create private sector spin off investment and generate more revenue for the city, and people are just walking away from this."
Masiello says he fears the Senecas will create a tax-free area in Cheektowaga and "suck the life" out of downtown Buffalo.