Morning Edition: In-Depth On Seneca Nation Compact + Daily Top-10 Headlines For Monday!
Who kept local officials out of the loop as negotiations took place for months? Plus, a new development at the Showboat Motel along Seneca Lake, and a Cayuga Co. business forced to sell due to NYSEG.
Each day we bring you the biggest headlines and the stories that matter from the heart of the Finger Lakes. Our newsroom is locally owned-and-operated — keeping you informed and up-to-date every day of the year.
Seneca Nation alleges Hochul kept gaming compact from local officials allowing affiliation with Delaware North to undermine deal
It’s hard to believe that there could be any more uncertainty around the gaming compact involving the Seneca Nation and New York State, but as of this weekend, even more has been introduced. As the public outcry grew louder – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said the proposed deal would not move forward. “I believe the Seneca Nation deserves a fair deal,” he said on Twitter. “However the sentiment of the Assembly’s Monroe County delegation – is concerning, and we cannot move forward with a vote on the compact at this time.”
The newest wrinkle came from a scathing statement released by the Seneca Nation. They called the ‘non-committal approach’ ‘despicable’. Moreover, they painted a picture that runs in contrast to what many felt blindsided by. “The blame for keeping Rochester officials out of the loop lays directly at the feet of the Executive,” the statement adds. “The Executive and the Nation agreed not to negotiate through the press or in public, but contrary to media coverage, the parties never entered into a Non-Disclosure Agreement. The Nation regularly consulted our own legislative branch, and expected that the Executive was doing the same. The Executive’s claim that it was legally barred from communicating with other State officials is simply inaccurate. The Executive was free to communicate with local officials throughout the process, on what it was negotiating for and what it agreed to. The failure of the Executive to communicate with its own government speaks to the utter disregard the Governor had for this process.”
EXCLUSIVE: Breaking down the SMI court ruling & how Long Island sludge is being imported to Upstate NY
This week there were a pair of major environmental headlines that involved a longstanding issue for the Finger Lakes. The first story involves a recent court decision to toss Local Law No. 3 in Seneca Falls. That law, which would’ve required closure of Seneca Meadows in less than three years, was ruled invalid. While that decision is expected to be appealed – it’s a major milestone as the company attempts to secure a new DEC permit to expand. The second story involves sewer sludge being spread on farm fields. While the practice is actually fairly common – environmental activists are concerned about the practice, and several municipalities in Steuben County have taken action – preventing the practice from becoming more common. The issue revolves around the possibility of sewer sludge from Long Island being transported to Steuben County and spread across a piece of property that sits between three towns.
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More News For Monday, June 19th!
What’s happening at the Showboat Motel? New brewery expands, adding to unique experience
Finger Lakes Boating Museum celebrates grand opening of new addition
Migrants are finding work in Upstate New York despite legal status
DEC gives tips to manage increased wildlife as summer arrives in New York
Public access to state capitol questioned during legislative session
#ICYMI: We talked with Seneca Fall Town Supervisor Mike Ferrara.
Ferrara sat down with us ahead of the Town’s June 27 Republican primary to discuss the issues voters are talking to him about as he campaigns for re-election. Later today we’ll sit down with his opponent, Frank Schmitter, in another exclusive conversation. That one will be here in this newsletter and exclusively on FingerLakes1.com and our YouTube Channel.