A big win for Oneida Indian Nation

[concerned]

www.uticaod.com/homepage/x934427710/Ruling-could-mean-transformation-for-region

Even though it will be back in court again. Why doesn't our government work with the Nation to improve this area.

[lilbump1980]

I agree with you concerned. The OIN tried to negotiate with our state leaders and they were too greedy.. Now I know why people do not want to do business in NYS... I am very happy on the ruling.

[scarecrow78]

Because "Our" government can't even work with "Us" to inprove ANY area.

[lilbump1980]

i agree totally with you scarecrow78.. Our government sucks. It really does. My fiance is a in facilities at the casino let me tell you the pay there is great for his trade, the benefits are great, the oin have a great enterprise and I really think our government is ashamed that they can't be like them. I totally support OIN. even if my fiance did not work there I would so support it.

[frankcor]

Reacting to the Interior Department's decision regarding land to trust for the Oneida Nation, Congressman Arcuri said:

“I feel an incredible sense of personal frustration and outrage at the Department of Interior’s decision,” he said.“I have spent months of intensive efforts trying to convince the BIA and other parties of the advantage of a negotiated settlement to prevent costly litigation.”

I think that says it all: Arcuri took the wrong side while wasting time working on the wrong issue and even he has to admit he was a total failure for doing it.

[frankcor]

From the OD's coverage:

Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, called upon Gov. David Paterson and federal representatives to create a full, fair negotiated agreement in the 30-day window.

“The ruling is a setback for our region that must be challenged,” he said. “We cannot be a region divided for all time.”

Can anyone tell if Griffo thinks the Oneidas might be part of this agreement he's dreaming about?

[lilbump1980]

the oin tried to negotiate with the gov't. They were being greedy and said NO to the arrangement. I do not remember the # but the oin was willing to give them millions toward back taxes and they said no.... Our gov't is so greedy it makes me sick that is why no business stay in nys

[scarecrow78]

Just for the record. I think that the OIN is entitiled to Prosper as an Indian Nation. I also believe that surrounding governments are entitiled to just comppenstion for serices they provide to the OIN. My Idea is to give the OIN the land between the "reservation(just south of Onieda)" and Turning Stone. If they buy Property outside that area they are just like any other property owner. My house is in Chittenango. When there is a clause within the titlle and I had to pay $250.00 extra for title Insurane vbecause my housee is in the origanal OIN Landclaim. The only way to end this situation is a negotiiated settlement. I'm NOT HOLDING MY BREATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bobbbiez]

How much does the OIN have to negotiate before the scalping begins?

The OIN has always negotiated fairly with all in mind, so enough of the bullsh*t.

Where would we be without their business. Our legislators have succeeded in moving some great businesses out of our area, do not allow them to hinger the OIN who is more then willing to share with their brothers and sisters around them.

[Swimmy]

What I find interesting is that Mr. Halbritter sent an e-mail to everyone employed with the OIN about a settlement-compromise proposal letter he sent to Picente back in January. Why haven't we heard anything about this?

As for arcuri, I find it interesting that he was too busy acting unprofessionally, but never once called a meeting with OIN to "negotiate". I find it equally interesting that griffo, townsend, picente, destito, et al. have failed thus far to come to the negotiation table.

[lilbump1980]

wow swimmy you are very good at stating facts... you will make a great attorney!!!!!!!!!!!

[Swimmy]

And tell all your single girlfriends that I'm house-broken too. ;P

[wcup102]

Just when I think I have figured out a side to this issue that I want to be on, the story line changes. I feel that the OIN has contributed to the community in several ways, whethewr it be jobs or "covenant" payments (not to be called "in lieu of taxes" payments)to municipalities or organizations. But I also feel they shoudl have to pay taxes, or payments, of some type to the municipality in which they remove the land from the tax rolls. The hang up is the word "taxes". Call it gratuity payments or in kind payments. The amount of money being funneled through their operation on a daily basis is sickening. I was told by an employee at the Casino, that one weeks intake could cover the entire budget for Oneida County. I understand what they want and I understand what the taxpayers want. But I believe our officials are remiss in disclosing the "real" facts about this issue and are trying to save face now as their efforts have failed and alot of our taxpayers dollars wasted and will be continued to be wasted while attornies get rich. Hey Swimmy, maybe you can get a piece of the pie LOL!!!! I know that if their land is in trust, I feel that they should handle their own crimes that occur on their lands or give them to0 the State Police as they are already on site at the casino. Why should taxpayers dollars be used for the Sheriff's Office to go onto their lands and handle their complaints? They are Federal Police officers, they should be able to handle their own calls.

[Swimmy]

You raise some valid points of contention. For the most part, they Oneidas do pay for the services they use. Since the Sherrill decision, the city and the Oneidas reached a settlement about taxes, etc. OIN pays for the Verona Fire Dept on an as needed basis, they pay for other infrastructure they use too and have several agreements with other agencies to assist in their day-to-day functions.

I admit I am not overly aware of all their agreements, etc. but I do know that they have their own Nation police and court system. Again, I'm not fully aware of how it all works in conjunction to the state or federal law enforcement and court systems.

As for the idea of payments, if both sides were willing to compromise. For example, I don't see how collecting sales tax to non-indians is a violation or threat to their sovereignty. One point of negotiation could be that OIN agrees to collect the sales tax if the county agrees not to make an argument that OIN waives its sovereignty or give up any rights it currently enjoys as a sovereign nation.

Someone pointed out on the disgrace comment section that grants are temporary. Again, the state could negotiate that they will forgo any further fighting of the property tax issues if the OIN agrees to make those covenants and grants permanent.

Mr. Halbritter has pointed out that OIN is willing to negotiate an agreement with respect to future land-trust applications. I believe it was something along the lines of OIN agreeing not to make further applications without some consent by the county government. Something is certainly plausible and should be looked into.

Our officials have done nothing but spin facts and blow a lot of smoke up our asses to try and convince us that OIN is evil and hurts the economy. It upsets me to read how these "representatives" can so easily lie about obvious facts documented in federal documents. I'm sickened by how many people take our "representatives'" statements as gospel without doing their own research.

I'm glad you realize that our esteemed "representatives" are not telling us the truth.

What I can't figure out is there is much to negotiate and compromise on, yet our "representatives" have not met with OIN since the March meeting. They've cried to the DOI, had arcuri act in an unsavory manner, and spent a great deal of effort having the disgrace make us believe that something underhanded is going down in this decision, when in fact it is the politicians who are engaging the underhanded dealings.

If picente, griffo, and arcuri were truly serious about negotiation, I have to believe they would have been more proactive in setting up meeting times and a time schedule to hammer out some sort of agreement. But then again, this has been going on for 30+ years...

[lilbump1980]

Swimmy one of my single girlfriends that i work with wants to know if you ever go to the bullet or cavallos.. that is where we hang out.. and is very excited that you are house broken...LOL

Now getting back to the OIN I will back up swimmy on the issue that The OIN did try to negotiate my fiance told me the story. The good thing about him working there is I hear and see what OIN has done to resolve this issue and then see what our "elected" officials say and do and mainly lie about....