It's happening again. The State of New York has promised to turn over private property to the Seneca Indian Nation so it can expand its casino. According to the Associated Press, "The Empire State Development Corp. [ESDC] determined the Senecas' expansion plans would be good for Niagara Falls, with the potential to create thousands of jobs and attract more visitors.... The Senecas were promised about 50 acres of downtown land as part of their 2002 compact with the state, which let them build the casino -- and two others in western New York -- in exchange for a share of slot machine profits."
In other words, the state government bargained away people's homes and businesses for a cut. How nice.
In its published legal notice, the development corporation stated, "It is determined that ESDC should exercise its power of eminent domain in order to implement the acquisition." Two blocks of homes, two hotels, a water park, and a Pizza Hut are slated for taking.
At least one owner, an elderly woman who has lived in her home 50 years, is planning to fight the taking in court.
There is irony of course in land being taken for an Indian tribe, but I have seen no allegation that the parcels in question belonged to the Senecas.
The full story is here.
Friday, January 20, 2006
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