Middleboro, other towns want state to listen to concerns about Taunton site
MIDDLEBORO —
Officials from neighboring communities say they are being shut out of negotiations over a proposed Indian casino in Taunton and want the legislature to reject any agreement that does not protect their interests.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday reaffirmed a decision that casts doubt on whether the tribe can even take possession of land at the site of its proposed $1 billion casino in East Taunton.
Middleboro Town Manager Charles J. Cristello said many communities surrounding the proposed casino are reaching out to the governor, but to no avail.
“From what we’ve seen and what we’ve heard, no one is listening,” he said
On June 6, Middleboro selectmen sent a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick regarding mitigation measures that have not been addressed during negotiations with the tribe.
“Our own governor won’t even listen to us,” Middleboro Selectman Stephen J. McKinnon said Monday night regarding the casino negotiations.
In a June 14 email, state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, asked Patrick to meet with neighboring communities to hear their concerns and allow them to be included in the compact negotiations with the tribe, but so far a meeting has not been scheduled.
‘‘I’d like to see that type of interest from other representatives and certainly our state senator (Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton). He’s all over this without any regard for the surrounding communities,” Selectman Allin J. Frawley said.
Frawley said the state has been giving several towns, including Middleboro, Lakeville, Freetown and Norton, the runaround.
“The governor’s office says talk to the gaming commission; the gaming commission says talk to the governor’s office,” Frawley said. “No one even knows what to say, even the legislators who voted in favor of it.”
In a June 12 letter to the governor, Lakeville Town Administrator Rita A. Garbitt questioned whether the impact to public safety and the town’s roadways were being addressed.
“I don’t think the gaming commission knows what they’re doing with respect to Indian gaming,” said Brian P. Giovanoni, former chairman of Middleboro’s Casino Resort Advisory Committee.
“It looks as though the only recourse for communities regionally is to get their legislators on board and make sure the compact covers mitigation.” Giovanoni said.
Judging from the comments, others remember all too well Middleboro's arrogant attitude. One might think that after all the intervening years, Mr. Giovanoni might have educated himself about Sovereignty.
Frawley questions whether the tribe will ever be able to take ownership of the land, located near the junction of routes 24 and 140.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed its 2009 ruling that the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act did not authorize the secretary of the interior to take land into trust for a tribe that was not federally recognized when the act was adopted. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe was recognized in 2007.
Without a land-into-trust taking, the tribe cannot take possession of the land. The court also found that the federal government could be sued for taking land into trust after the 2009 decision.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday reaffirmed a decision that casts doubt on whether the tribe can even take possession of land at the site of its proposed $1 billion casino in East Taunton.
Middleboro Town Manager Charles J. Cristello said many communities surrounding the proposed casino are reaching out to the governor, but to no avail.
“From what we’ve seen and what we’ve heard, no one is listening,” he said
On June 6, Middleboro selectmen sent a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick regarding mitigation measures that have not been addressed during negotiations with the tribe.
“Our own governor won’t even listen to us,” Middleboro Selectman Stephen J. McKinnon said Monday night regarding the casino negotiations.
In a June 14 email, state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, asked Patrick to meet with neighboring communities to hear their concerns and allow them to be included in the compact negotiations with the tribe, but so far a meeting has not been scheduled.
‘‘I’d like to see that type of interest from other representatives and certainly our state senator (Marc R. Pacheco, D-Taunton). He’s all over this without any regard for the surrounding communities,” Selectman Allin J. Frawley said.
Frawley said the state has been giving several towns, including Middleboro, Lakeville, Freetown and Norton, the runaround.
“The governor’s office says talk to the gaming commission; the gaming commission says talk to the governor’s office,” Frawley said. “No one even knows what to say, even the legislators who voted in favor of it.”
In a June 12 letter to the governor, Lakeville Town Administrator Rita A. Garbitt questioned whether the impact to public safety and the town’s roadways were being addressed.
“I don’t think the gaming commission knows what they’re doing with respect to Indian gaming,” said Brian P. Giovanoni, former chairman of Middleboro’s Casino Resort Advisory Committee.
“It looks as though the only recourse for communities regionally is to get their legislators on board and make sure the compact covers mitigation.” Giovanoni said.
Judging from the comments, others remember all too well Middleboro's arrogant attitude. One might think that after all the intervening years, Mr. Giovanoni might have educated himself about Sovereignty.
Frawley questions whether the tribe will ever be able to take ownership of the land, located near the junction of routes 24 and 140.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed its 2009 ruling that the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act did not authorize the secretary of the interior to take land into trust for a tribe that was not federally recognized when the act was adopted. The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe was recognized in 2007.
Without a land-into-trust taking, the tribe cannot take possession of the land. The court also found that the federal government could be sued for taking land into trust after the 2009 decision.
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x1222857017/Middleboro-other-towns-want-state-to-listen-to-concerns-about-Taunton-site#ixzz1yFcKBEXe
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment