UNION SPRINGS - The village board on Tuesday passed a resolution demanding that the state collect and remit sales tax revenue from Native American businesses.
The resolution was previously passed unanimously by the Cayuga County legislature on Oct. 26. Since that time, several county legislators have been gathering support for it in the towns in villages they represent.
That makes it "five out of five," said county Legislator George Fearon, who represents the village, as well as Aurora, Scipio, Springport, and Ledyard. He attended last night's meeting to present the board with the resolution.
Village board member Jim Vreeland was not at last night's meeting. All attending members - Mayor Ed Trufant and board members Johan Lehtonen, Dean Tanner, and Dawn Locastro - voted in favor of the resolution.
Fearon's fellow legislators Richard Harrison and Ray Lockwood are also bringing the resolution before the municipalities they represent. It will then be sent to Gov. George Pataki.
"It should send a message to the governor. I know we're pounding one issue but pounding on one issue can create a roar that can be heard," Fearon said.
"It's an issue that affects all branches of government in the county. They're all partially funded by sales tax," Fearon said afterward. People who think this is just an issue for the local municipalities in which the businesses are based are wrong, Fearon said.
"Our sales tax revenue is almost as much as our revenue from property tax," village clerk Melinda Kostreva said.
The village's sales tax revenue is $165,000 under the 2004-05 budget, which runs from June 1 to May 31. Its property tax revenue is $189,946.
"We support the concept of collecting taxes (from Native American businesses). They should pay taxes like everybody else," Tanner said. "It's a lucrative business up there," he said, referring to a bingo hall and gas station owned by the Cayuga Indian Nation in the village.
"Our state legislative body passed a resolution to collect sales tax and the governor ignored it and then vetoed it," Trufant said. "He's not listening to the voice of the people."
"How can you be negotiating it separately with two entities, when it's one issue?" asked Tanner.
Both Tanner and Trufant are critical of the state for leaving municipalities out of the negotiations.
They were appreciative of county and town officials like Fearon, Legislator Ray Lockwood, and Aurelius Supervisor Ed Ide, who have communicated closely with the village about the issue.
Staff writer Mary Bulkot can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or at mary.bulkot@lee.net
That makes it "five out of five," said county Legislator George Fearon, who represents the village, as well as Aurora, Scipio, Springport, and Ledyard. He attended last night's meeting to present the board with the resolution.
Village board member Jim Vreeland was not at last night's meeting. All attending members - Mayor Ed Trufant and board members Johan Lehtonen, Dean Tanner, and Dawn Locastro - voted in favor of the resolution.
Fearon's fellow legislators Richard Harrison and Ray Lockwood are also bringing the resolution before the municipalities they represent. It will then be sent to Gov. George Pataki.
"It should send a message to the governor. I know we're pounding one issue but pounding on one issue can create a roar that can be heard," Fearon said.
"It's an issue that affects all branches of government in the county. They're all partially funded by sales tax," Fearon said afterward. People who think this is just an issue for the local municipalities in which the businesses are based are wrong, Fearon said.
"Our sales tax revenue is almost as much as our revenue from property tax," village clerk Melinda Kostreva said.
The village's sales tax revenue is $165,000 under the 2004-05 budget, which runs from June 1 to May 31. Its property tax revenue is $189,946.
"We support the concept of collecting taxes (from Native American businesses). They should pay taxes like everybody else," Tanner said. "It's a lucrative business up there," he said, referring to a bingo hall and gas station owned by the Cayuga Indian Nation in the village.
"Our state legislative body passed a resolution to collect sales tax and the governor ignored it and then vetoed it," Trufant said. "He's not listening to the voice of the people."
"How can you be negotiating it separately with two entities, when it's one issue?" asked Tanner.
Both Tanner and Trufant are critical of the state for leaving municipalities out of the negotiations.
They were appreciative of county and town officials like Fearon, Legislator Ray Lockwood, and Aurelius Supervisor Ed Ide, who have communicated closely with the village about the issue.
Staff writer Mary Bulkot can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or at mary.bulkot@lee.net
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