Public voices support, opposition for Oneida County-Oneida Nation agreement
Story Created:
May 13, 2009 at 4:49 PM EST
Story Updated:
May 13, 2009 at 5:11 PM EST
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - It has been five days since the Oneida County Executive announced a deal in principle with the Oneida Indian Nation.
Since then the topic has been greatly debated, including Wednesday at the Oneida County Legislator meeting, despite the fact the issue wasn't scheduled to be discussed.
Two bus loads full of Oneida Indian Nation employees pulled up to the Oneida County Office building Wednesday, and unloaded with people carrying signs and buttons in favor of this Partnership Plan. They were certainly in the majority Wednesday afternoon, however there were some residents who do oppose this plan.
Mixed in about 100 nation employees, were about two dozen residents who oppose the Partnership Plan. The proposed deal won't be voted on by the legislature until later this month. However, on Wednesday, 28 people signed up for the public comment period to tell legislators why they do and do not want this deal.
"There are other avenues which could be explored and those avenues are not being accepted in the part of the people who are doing the negotiations," said Judy Bachman.
"I support the agreement, it is long over due," said Kim Lane, an Oneida Indian Nation Employee. "Let's stop the bickering and start the mending."
"The Oneidas are offering us $55 million of what I call 'look the other way money,'" said Scott Peterman, who opposed The Partnership Plan.
"It's time for all of us to put aside our differences, to educate ourselves regarding the facts, see the opportunity available and embrace the possibility for change," said Kelly Bradley, an Oneida Indian Nation Employee.
The Oneida County Legislature will vote on the Partnership Plan on May 27.
If they vote it down, the deal is dead.
If they approve it, the State of New York Legislature will still need to reach deal with the Nation regarding sales tax.
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