Federal ruling revives Calverton casino talk
Supervisor-elect warns of 'social costs' of Indian gaming
9 comments below
Shinnecock Indians at this year's annual Pow Wow.
But local leaders don't think that may be such a good idea.
Riverhead Supervisor-elect Sean Walter called Tuesday's ruling long overdue but expressed concern that the tribe is setting its sites on the Enterprise Park at Calverton, or EPCAL, where hundreds of acres are available for development.
Shinnecock Indians at this year's annual Pow Wow.
"I think that is a tremendous burden to put on the west end of Riverhead and the east end of Brookhaven with regard to the social costs," Mr. Walter said. "But as an elected official I have the duty to look at every side and weigh everything."
MaryAnn Johnston, president of the Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization, also welcomed the preliminary recognition, but had concerns about the possibility of a Shinnecock casino here.
[if "'I don't see any reason why [the casino] needs to go anywhere else other than their reservation.' MaryAnn Johnston president, Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization" equals ""]
Tuesday's ruling by the U.S. Department of the Interior recognizing the tribe starts a public comment period that is likely to end with the tribe being added to the list of federally recognized tribes as early as June 2010.
With recognition, the tribe will be eligible for federal funding and Class II gaming, meaning they would be allowed to install video slot machines on their land but no table games. In the past, tribal leaders have expressed interest in running a full-fledged gaming facility at Belmont Racetrack or the former Northrop Grumman site in Calverton. A spokeswoman for the tribe said Wednesday there are no plans and no favored site, pointing out that the recognition process it not yet complete.
"As a result of this finding, our more than 30-year quest for federal recognition is finally within our grasp," Shinnecock Board of Trustees chairman Randy King said in a statement. "We look forward to reclaiming our rightful place on this list, which will enable us to qualify for federal programs long denied to our people. To be denied the ability to partner with the federal government on housing, health care, educational and economic justice initiatives is no longer tolerable.
"This recognition comes after years of anguish and frustration for many members of our Nation, living and deceased," Mr. King added.
The Shinnecocks began their effort to secure federal recognition in the late 1970s. Their latest petition comprised more than 500 pages, with 40,000 pages of supplemental information, including genealogical reports and historical documents such as land deeds.
The news was welcomed by local officials.
"Today is truly history in the making," said Southampton Supervisor-elect Anna Throne-Holst. "We recognize the Shinnecocks as the region's first inhabitants, and the town's relationship with them is a deep, long-standing and very special one."
peggy@northshoresun.com
The Riverhead News-Review is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Riverhead News-Review does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Riverhead News-Review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Service and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
9 comments found
Casinos are Garbage Dumps : 12/29/2009
Congratulations to the Shinnecock Nation for their preliminary recognition. This has been a long time coming. Instead of foisting Southampton's problems on Riverhead and Brookhaven, how about putting a casino in Hampton Bays or on the Indian Reservation itself? I don't even think the tribe wants it there because of all the trash and traffic it will bring!
Has anyone here seen what happens to the neighborhoods near these Indian Casino's? They become crime-ridden, drug ridden, noisy busy traffic jams. This is NOT why I moved from NYC to eastern Long Island. If the people in the Hamptons want a casino, then let them build it on the reservation...have you asked yourself why the people in Southampton don't want that? An Indian casino in Riverhead would be the final nail in the proverbial coffin of this town. The only people who are in favor of a casino in Calverton are the people who don't live there---build a casino on your own street if you're so much in favor of it.
Downtown : 12/18/2009
Why not knock down a few of the ugly non historical vacant buildings downtown and build it there. We all ready have a few potential hotel plans in the works this could be one of the anchors for the town.
Comments : 12/18/2009
"Nuff said" Casinos have not all what they are propped up to be Connecticut a once prosperous State is in the red Foxwoods,which is broke, was suppose to be the answer to Connecticut's fiscal problems. Where is East Main Street mentioned? So prostitutes etc have been there for 10 years? There should not have been there 10 minutes. I guess opening a casino would take the "LOTTO" buyers off the streets? Perhaps, we could use the unused $million railroad station as Gamblers Anonymous? What kind of jobs would come with a casino? And could we still buy the untaxed cigarettes cost NYS $700 million? 80% vacancy downtown? What began this spiral? Why go there? Then why have cops? Why have unneeded police dispatchers? Attract summer tourists coming from the Hamptons and NYC? Isn't that what Tanger Outlets was supposed to do? And Snow Mountain would halt the skiers from going to say upstate or New England? Yeah and oh boy we could use the 15,000 and 10,000 runways as drag strips! Searching for industry?
Name one! You saw all the advertisements in the classifieds? Utopia by the dump!
good for schools : 12/18/2009
Casino would be good for money towards our schools look at the schools in Conn. from the casinos..mayb be a good thing if they help ours schools
Casino at EPCAL : 12/17/2009
After years of searching for industry to occupy EPCAL to subsidize our tax base and watching our taxes skyrocket since the property has been transferred, I think Riverhead's leadership needs to understand that "beggars can't be choosers" when it comes to determining what type of industry belongs there.
This could be a great opportunity to run some benchmark studies to see what kind of revenue streams, job growth and social situations that other tribal casinos have generated and incurred for towns similar to Riverhead's scale.
I love the previous comments that dealers and prostitutes will find their way to downtown - based on the 80% vacancy of our downtown, why would dealers and hookers WANT to go downtown when there's no one there to begin with.
It also would attract significant revenue opportunity from summer tourists coming from the Hamptons and NYC instead of them traveling to CT.
Am all for it, bring it on.
Casino : 12/17/2009
"Individuals with Gambling problems would find their way onto Main Street along with predators,drug dealers and prostitutes"
Individuals with Gambling problems ??? have you been by Riverhead Stationary lately? Their in the top 20 in NYS in Lotto sales!!
drug dealers and prostitutes??? east main street has been a haven for hookers and drug dealers for over 10 years... 'nuff said
Cassino : 12/17/2009
It's about time the Shinnecocks get their recognition. We should be so glad if they decide on Calverton, think of the jobs it will create, the area is perfect for it. Don't let these politicians ruin this tooo, hasn't Big Government ruined enough lately. Brave to the Tribe and lets do all we can to get it here on the East End.
cece
taxes anyone? : 12/17/2009
I suppose the powers that be might look into the tax savings if a casino comes to EPCAL. It should be put to a special vote by the people. Not some plotical schmoes who want to make money for themselves. It would be nice if the $38,000,000 tax bill could be cut down so the people could live better.
EPCAL is 7 miles away from Riverhead town......would it really effect the people?
Wake up your going broke!
Casino : 12/17/2009
Congratulations to the Shinnecock Indian Nation! A casino would NOT be the panacea to Riverhead's problems in fact it may even add to them. Limited police manpower in Riverhead would be overwhelmed by the traffic situation NYS is broke and the NYS Troopers are strapped. Individuals with Gambling problems would find their way onto Main Street along with predators,drug dealers and prostitutes.
Riverhead will continue to be the dumping ground for social misfits where they consider out tax dollars their treasure trove!
