Misleading Constituent Survey on Casino
Development from Assemblymen Thiele
Dear Supporter,
We have promised to update you on any new developments concerning our plans for economic development, including those related to an Indian gaming facility. The latest development is a misleading survey sent out last week to Suffolk County residents by Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr.
Assemblyman Thiele does not support our quest for self-reliance through Indian gaming - the survey is designed to garner as many negative responses from constituents as possible.
READ THE TRIBE'S RESPONSE TO THIELE'S QUESTIONS
ACT NOW!
We need your help! We ask that you contact Assemblyman Thiele and tell him you support Shinnecock Indian gaming. Click here to send him an email message now. You may contact him at 2302 Main Street Bridgehampton, NY 11932. Phone (631) 537-2583 Fax (631) 537-2836
Again, we thank you for your support. And please tell your friends and family members to join our growing coalition of supporters.
Gaming Authority
THE FACTS
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gaming is a matter of civil law, to be governed by individual Indian nations.
- The Shinnecock Nation has been recognized by the state of New York as an independent, self-governing nation for centuries. This historic, diplomatic arrangement provides the foundation for the Nation to govern and conduct gaming on our tribal lands.
- The Shinnecock Indian Nation has the legal right develop our tribal lands as we see fit. A 1987 official letter from the NY Secretary of State supports that fact. http://shinnecocknation.com/news/news42.asp.
- Indian gaming does not create a "social problem". In our region, gaming would support year round jobs.
- The Hampton Bays property has always been part of the Shinnecock Indian Nation and that fact is well documented. http://shinnecocknation.com/news/news22.asp.
- We are not opposed to building an Indian gaming facility in a different location.
- The other economic options suggested in the survey are incomplete, lack any real substance, and in some cases illegal. (For example, Federal Law prohibits the sale or transfer of Shinnecock aboriginal lands to anyone! And to do so would be diametrically opposed to our century's long stewardship.)
- The Shinnecock Indian Nation has tried all types of economic development, but generating income has been limited. The Oyster Hatchery was probably our most successful venture until the brown tide closed it down. Other ventures have been explored, such as windmill electricity generation, cell tower, waste management and more. Gaming is our best prospect for reaching true self-reliance.
Download Survey Now (Adobe Acrobat Format - 89KB)
Letters to the Editor: What Your Community is Saying
Anthony Ernst
Fred Bess
Tim Behringer
David Carney
Richard G. Hendrickson
Christian Virga
