Ulster County lawmakers postpone casino 'home rule' vote

By Hallie Arnold , Freeman staff Daily Freeman June 2, 2005

STONE RIDGE - Ulster County lawmakers on Wednesday postponed voting on a measure that would let host communities approve or reject casino proposals. The resolution to allow so-called "home rule" is likely to be reconsidered next week, after its sponsors make some changes.
The resolution - sponsored by Saugerties' four representatives to the county Legislature and Majority Leader Michael Stock, R-Woodstock, whose district includes part of West Saugerties - would prohibit the county from entering into casino negotiations with an Indian tribe without support from the proposed host community.
The measure was prompted by a proposal by the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma to build a casino, hotel, entertainment center and golf course on the Winston Farm in Saugerties - a plan that's opposed by town of Saugerties Supervisor Greg Helsmoortel and village of Saugerties Mayor Robert Yerick.
Helsmoortel and Yerick plan to ask their respective boards to approve resolutions opposing the casino.
Because of several changes proposed in the county legislation, including the removal of a public referendum option for casino approval and language changes recommended by the county attorney, some members of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday sought to have the casino resolution bumped off next week's Legislature agenda and referred to the Legislature's Economic Development/Education, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Committee.
But the Saugerties sponsors of the home-rule measure fought to keep it on the agenda for this month's Legislature session rather than send it to committee, which would have delayed a vote of the full Legislature by at least a month. They said the changes being made do not alter the sentiment of the resolution.
"Why can't we, as legislators from this district, put this resolution in, saying we don't want it in Saugerties?" said Alice Tipp, R-Saugerties. "Why can't we do that? There's other things that are brought up here that affect the community. Why can't we do it?"
Richard Parete, D-Accord, questioned what effect the resolution would have on a three-year casino contract with the Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma to build a gaming hall in the southern Ulster County town of Wawarsing. The Legislature approved the Modoc deal in 2003. It's in effect through 2006 and would net the county $15 million per year if the casino is built.
"What's the legal ramifications?" Parete asked. "We didn't give the Wawarsing residents, the Rochester residents, the Hurley and Marbletown residents, which would be impacted most, the opportunity to have a say for the Modoc tribe."
Lawmakers finally agreed to make changes to the resolution, have it reviewed by the county attorney and get copies to the full Legislature well in advance of next week's meeting. But lawmakers next week still could decide the resolution needs more work and refer it back to committee.
The county resolution does not specify the Saugerties proposal but would allow local governments to determine what position the county should take on a casino plan. The county's role could be critical because pending state legislation would require a county compact as a prerequisite for state approval of Indian casinos.
One of the sponsors of the county resolution, Joseph Roberti, R-Saugerties, said he will introduce a second resolution specifically opposing the Seneca-Cayuga proposal should the Saugerties Town Board take that position. The Town Board meets June 8, the Legislature June 9.

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