STATE OF NEW YORK EXECUTIVE CHAMBER GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR
Press Office 518-474-8418 212-681-4640 http://www.state.ny.us
		FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, Tuesday February 2, 1999
GOVERNOR MEETS WITH STATE,  LOCAL LEADERS ON INDIAN LAND CLAIMS
Governor George E. Pataki today met with state and local representatives from Oneida and Madison counties to discuss ongoing State efforts to protect homeowners in counties that are being sued by the Federal government and Indian Nations in land claim lawsuits.
Senator Ray Meier, Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann, Assemblyman Dave Townsend, Oneida County Executive Ralph Eannace and Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Carpenter attended the meeting in the Governor's office in Albany.
"We are united in our firm commitment to protect property owners who have been brought into this lawsuit without any justification, "  Governor Pataki said.  "No one will lose their home, no one will lose their property and no one will be forced to pay rent to keep what is legally theirs so long as I am Governor.
"The Federal government's decision to sue Central New York homeowners is not only wrong, it's a disgrace.   Rather than threatening to eject people from their homes, as their legal papers state, the Federal government should be working with us to reach a fair and reasonable solution to this issue.
"We have had a formal offer on the table for 18 months, but unfortunately we have not received a formal response from the Oneida.  We remain prepared to engage in good faith negotiations to resolve this matter, but we need good faith in return from the Indian Nations if we are going to be successful."
Governor Pataki said any settlement must protect property owners without compromising their current rights at all.
In addition, Governor Pataki said he continues to support the appointment of a settlement master to lead good faith negotiations talks with the Oneida Nation of New York, the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin and the Oneida Thames Band of Ontario, Canada.
However, if necessary, he said the State will consider all of its options, including a review of the New York Oneida's gaming compact, the land on which the casino is located and the taxable status of all other land acquisitions by the Oneida.
Finally, Governor Pataki reiterated his call on the Federal government to re-consider its position and reverse its decision to sue the homeowners of Central New York.
"We are prepared to engage in serious, good faith negotiations, " the Governor said.  "We hope the Indian Nations are likewise prepared to resolve this long-running dispute."
County Executive Eannace said, "I want to thank the Governor for responding to my request for today's meeting.   The Governor has reaffirmed his support for the land owners and for the state to come to the table in good faith and negotiate a solution to this matter.  If all parties will do the same we may make real progress in the negotiation."
Senator Raymond A. Meier said, " I remain committed to moving the land claim settlement discussions forward in a manner which protects property owners.  Today's meeting allowed us to let Governor Pataki know the feelings of residents we represent who are affected by this land claim. I commend Governor Pataki for recognizing the urgency with which this matter must be handled, and his active involvement in advancing the dialogue, " Senator Raymond A. Meier, R-C, Western, said.
Assemblyman David R. Townsend, Jr. said, "The time has come for our Federal representatives to step forward and work with the Governor and our local leaders in a combined effort to address the Federal culpability in this dispute and bring to the table the resources and commitment to ensure a fair and equitable settlement for all parties involved."
Chairman Carpenter said, "I am pleased that the Governor has reaffirmed his pledge to support and protect Madison and Oneida Counties citizens in their pursuit to settling the Oneida land claims.  We must all work together to expedite a settlement that protects the rights of all property owners."
Senator Hoffmann said, "The homeowners of Madison and Oneida counties hold no malice toward their Oneida neighbors and have lived in relative harmony for generations.  A land claim settlement takes time, and this one could have been relatively easy to resolve, if all three of the Oneida groups had been willing to stand at the same table.
" But since the Oneida have so much bad blood among themselves, they could agree only to let their lawyers threaten individual property owners,"  Senator Hoffmann said.  "This is now beyond a discussion about culture and ancestral heritage and squarely in the category of legal hardball.  We will defend the rights of property with the best resources of the State of New York."