Editor, OBSERVER:
Seneca Nation of Indian President Robert Odawi Porter says the prospect of new casinos in other parts of the state by Constitutional amendment does not concern the Seneca Nation as much as the thought of non-Indian casinos in Western New York.
The state, having allowed two race tracks in the region to install slot machines, has violated the 2002 Compact with the Nation, it claims, causing the Nation to withhold its agreed to cash payments to Western New York entities and New York state since 2008.
I would suggest the Seneca Nation pay up their obligations and accept this minor inconvenience, while getting the state to omit any further inclusion of Western New York in the proposed statewide amendment for the freedom of casinos. The state has a lawsuit in the works which may disallow the Senecas claim and force their payments anyway.
Withholding this money from local entities has hardened the local resident's position against the Seneca Nation.
Make the deal, Senecas, and we all come out smiling.
PAUL B. McGAVIS,
Dunkirk
