Extension of Remarks: All bets are off
Well. So much for "The house always wins."
The lead editorial in today's Buffalo News takes note of the federal court ruling that will, if not overturned on appeal, kill the Buffalo Creek Casino that the Seneca Nation of Indians is already building just down the way from our offices. All we're sure of is that we're not sure. And we imagine the Seneca's aren't, either.
While the judge made plain that the casino could not legally operate, the details and ramifications were muddy enough that even the Senecas canceled a press conference they previously announced to respond to it. The lawyer for the casino opponents said he would immediately petition the chairman of the Gaming Commission to shut down Buffalo Creek Casino, but how quickly that could occur, or whether an appeal would forestall it, was uncertain. And if the casino is shuttered, what other use would the Senecas make of the land?
The News article announcing the decision is here. [Depending on the rotation, it may be accompanied by a Web ad for the Senecas' Niagara Falls casino.] The text of the ruling from U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny - which goes back to the 15th century to set the stage - is here. The Web site for the Buffalo Creek Casino is still here and, as of Wednesday morning, said nothing about the ruling.
Meanwhile, for what it's worth, this is the centerpiece of today's Indianapolis Star: No longer a sure thing: For the first time in more than 12 years of legalized casino gambling in Indiana, booming growth has halted and business has declined. Long considered a recession-proof industry, the casinos' struggles show how rising gas prices and falling home values may be crimping consumer confidence across the state. For the first six months of this year, money spent at Indiana casinos generated $465.6 million in tax revenue, down from $488.6 million for the same period a year ago.
--George Pyle/Editorial Writer
I guess it serves you right. The Seneca Allegeny Casino in Salamanca has done nothing but help a once dead economy. Every project that could possibly help the city of Buffalo emerge from it's self-created swamp has been shot down by obstructionists err. preservationists. I guess we'll be more than happy to see the $330 million invested in our economy here on the Rez...Thanks Buffalo. You guys rock. Enjoy the big empty spot on your waterfront!!!
Posted by: doug arrowsmith | July 09, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I haven't figured out the collective thought processes from most of the Buffalo folks I've interacted with on this site and when I visit the old area. People will gamble, drink, smoke. The casino doesn't look like a dump. People may actually spend a weekend in Buffalo watching a Bills game or Sabres game or going to a museum and stay around to gamble or see a show or eat at the buffet. Why would someone from Olean, Rochester, Jamestown, Hamilton stay around now! When it comes to economic development, Buffalo would also rank in the bottom five like it does with poor in the city and the nunmber of vacant houses. Not a lot of deep thinkers in Buffalo when it comes to growing an economy despite the so called "excellent" educational system in NY and Buffalo.
Posted by: Texas Kid | July 10, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Well, according to Rod Watson, this decision will help keep the poor uneducated folk from wandering over from the projects and bankrupting themselves...because, as we all know, that is the job of government...make blanket decisions for everyone, so the truly dumb don't get hurt.
It's a shame...the Perry Projects don't have the same visual impact on the skyline as a casino would have...oh well, at least the illiterates will be safe from themselves...all is well I guess.
Posted by: Jack B. | July 10, 2008 at 08:30 AM
The favor is being done for the lions share of benefit far from Buffalo. Always the slurs and slanted information while blatently ignoring the greater harm being done to the social fabric of Buffalo. I remember when smoking was marketed as being good for one's health. Now gambling is the holy grail of economic development without looking at the robbed churches, the crime, the broken families, the suicides, the destitution, the majority of the money being shipped out of Buffalo and New York taxes being uncollected.
Build your casinos to your hearts content in Salamanca. Thats the settlement you are entitled to. Buffalo is not adjoining the native reservation therefore the weapons of mass destruction Bush government has again made an error. The Federal court in Buffalo has found that the laws of the USA were violated and casino gambling is not legal in Buffalo under the legislation that former Congressman LaFalce helped pass.
Posted by: Comino Reality | July 10, 2008 at 10:36 PM
What do you say, friends?
Joel Rose...
a: serf seeking an overlord
or
b: pompous windbag trying to lord over us
Speak on, folks...
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall, Jr. | July 11, 2008 at 06:26 AM
I invite you all to look in on the Artvoice website. Just go to www.artvoice.com, and click on the "Casino Cr-ps Out" story link. There, after the long-winded missive, many of us are blogging about it. Come and drop your $.02 there!
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall, Jr. | July 11, 2008 at 11:24 PM
One more place you can make an impact on Joel Rose and his friends... visit the website www.nocasinoerie.org, click on the "Contact Us" link, then let Rose and co. know where you stand. I'm sure it'll be "bombs away!"
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall, Jr. | July 12, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Joel Rose, Robert Kresse, Thomas Lunt, and Janet Day will go down in Buffalo History as the biggest snake oil salespersons in years. They pulled the wool over a lot of peoples' eyes. They did it while bilking the Wendt Foundation out of $2 million to finance their lobby efforts in DC against the Seneca casino.
It is time to pay the foundation back and kick Kresse, Lunt and Day out as trustees. Next time they can use their own money and not rip off the poor.
Shame on you Kresse, Lunt and Day. You are crooks and should be sued.
The Wendt Foundation, under your leadership, is just a political lobby for the religious right. You are out of step with the community and running out of time as trustees.
If you had any guts, you'd stop hiding behind your lawyer Rose and show the people who you really are.
Posted by: WNYMind | July 14, 2008 at 03:09 PM
This is a magic bullet dodged. Real progress would be to create an economic environment worthy of making an investment. READ - a return on capital risked, after taxes. The key is after taxes. Can taxes really be lowered with so many people working for the government? Really, can they?
Posted by: Celtic Tide | July 14, 2008 at 08:50 PM