More Eminent Domain Abuse (New York)

J.J. Jackson* | January 20, 2006

So today I was out of work a little early and I heard Sean Hannity discussing the case of one Patricia Van Egmond of New York who is having her home taken from her to give to the Seneca tribe which operates casinos in the State of New York such as Seneca Allegany Casino and Seneca Niagra Casino.

Reports indianz.com:

“The tribe opened an off-reservation casino in Niagara Falls under a land claim settlement. As part of the deal, the state is required to make available a total of 52 acres to the tribe.

The tribe has acquired about half of the promised acreage. The rest is being held by landowners who have refused to sell to the tribe, prompting the state to get involved.”

The source article from the Buffalo News is no longer publicly available for free apparently.

However a detailed article was found on lexis nexis which confirms that yes, there are 52 acres of land owned by private land owners that was promised to the Indian Tribe by the State of New York.

Gee, don’t you think that BEFORE they agreed to give the land over they should have at least tried to acquire it first? Then if they couldn’t get the land not promise it? No, that would be too logical.

The state decided on Nov. 16 to move forward with eminent domain proceedings to help the Seneca Gaming Corp. obtain land it hasn’t been able to purchase on the footprint of downtown land. That property was promised to the Seneca Nation of Indians as part of its gaming compact with the state.

Instead they decided that since the Supreme Nitwits on the Supreme Court told New London CT it was ok for them to take land for non-public use that they might as well do the same.

Can anyone tell me what “public use” this land will serve? I am under the impression that the Senaca tribe’s land is not open to the public but rather private land. So please, someone make the argument I would LOVE to hear it!

This is not an “anti-gambling” rant. I don’t care about gambling. I like to partake in it myself. This is not an “anti-Indian” rant. I personally don’t give two hoots about them either. What I do care about is the government taking people’s land for no good public reason. If it wasn’t blighted it shouldn’t be condemned. And it sure as shootin’ shouldn’t be taken away and given to another party for private use either.

This is about a government of a State selling out to make a profit.

…the compact requires the Senecas to pay the state at least 18 percent of its slots revenues each year, with 25 percent going to the host municipality. That has amounted to $24 million for 2004 and 2005.

And that is what it is all about. Money and greedy politicians that can’t get enough of it for their own pet projects.

I think some calls to Governor Pataki at 518-474-8390.

Men In Black: How the Supreme Court Is Destroying America

(Book)

Authors:Mark R. Levin
Manufacturer:Regnery Publishing, Inc.
Released:07 February, 2005

Abuse Of Power: How The Government Misuses Eminent Domain

(Book)

Authors:Steven Greenhut
Manufacturer:Seven Locks Press
Released:30 June, 2004

Contributor's website: http://www.libertyreborn.com

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