Since it became clear last summer that a land-claim settlement proposal struck between Gov. George Pataki and the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma had fizzled, the tribe has put on a charming face here in Cayuga County.

Led by recently elected chief Paul Spicer, the Seneca-Cayugas in August paid $70,000 in back taxes on tribe-owned land in Aurelius and Montezuma. About a month later, they began courting support from local officials for a proposed casino complex in Sennett they say would employ thousands and pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy.

In January, the tribe paid its tax bills on time. And last month, it came to the Sennett Town Board to pitch its entertainment complex, and spoke of the desire to become partners in economic development with local officials.

But to this point, all the Seneca-Cayugas have done is abide by the law. They paid their taxes, and they proposed a project. That's it.

And now they have blown their best chance to make a showing of “good faith” toward local officials. Despite saying it no longer had plans to pursue a gaming facility in Aurelius - largely in response to the opposition in that community - the tribe has decided to appeal a court decision that gave local officials authority to regulate those properties.

If the Seneca-Cayugas truly wanted to focus their attention on a site in a more welcoming community such as Sennett, why do they continue to force local officials to fight court battles over land in Aurelius?

This action should serve as a warning to local officials about the sincerity of the promises the tribe has been making.

Perhaps they're hoping to strike a deal on a project in Sennett, and then use that as leverage to build a second gambling palace in Aurelius.

Unless Spicer and his tribe drops this lawsuit, that concern will not go away.