The public learned nothing new last week about the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma's proposal for a $400 million casino and entertainment resort in Auburn. Chief Paul Spicer simply outlined the same vague descriptions and grandiose promises that were listed in a press release issued a couple of weeks ago by Mayor Tim Lattimore.
Yet, despite having little or no concrete information, the majority of the Auburn City Council approved a resolution supporting the concept of making the city the host to such a project.
Never has something so potentially damaging for the city been rushed to a vote so quickly.
The councilors who supported the agreement will say that Thursday's vote was non-binding, that it was contingent on the tribe satisfying traffic, infrastructure and environmental concerns.
But how can city officials say they support this project without having information about any of those issues? They wouldn't take such a vote if it was a big-box retailer pitching a project. They would require a site plan application and a thorough review process before making any type of commitment.
For all of the talk from the Seneca-Cayugas about how they would abide by local laws and pay taxes, it sure looks like they're already trying to circumvent the normal process for getting a building project done in the city of Auburn.
More troubling, though, is the message this vote sends to important players in this process outside of Auburn. State and federal lawmakers who must approve any casino project like this now will get the message that Auburn wants this - when Auburn truly doesn't know because it has little information from the tribe proposing the project.
And if you go by the turnout at last week's council meeting, most people actually don't want it. The majority of the public speakers said they opposed this deal.
City residents should also be angry that Seneca-Cayuga Chief Paul Spicer had left the meeting to grab a bite to eat before public comments or the vote took place. He says he wants to work with the community, yet couldn't take the time to hear what people had to say.
Remember, this is the same tribe that abruptly dropped plans for the same project in Sennett when that town board sought to hold a public hearing.
Given the uncertainty surrounding this project, not to mention the red flags that most reasonable people can already see, we commend councilors David Dempsey and Matt Smith for their “no” votes on this resolution. We urge them to convince Lattimore and councilors Bill Graney and Tom McNabb to start working harder on solid economic development projects instead of being mesmerized by the thought of easy money.
Never has something so potentially damaging for the city been rushed to a vote so quickly.
The councilors who supported the agreement will say that Thursday's vote was non-binding, that it was contingent on the tribe satisfying traffic, infrastructure and environmental concerns.
But how can city officials say they support this project without having information about any of those issues? They wouldn't take such a vote if it was a big-box retailer pitching a project. They would require a site plan application and a thorough review process before making any type of commitment.
For all of the talk from the Seneca-Cayugas about how they would abide by local laws and pay taxes, it sure looks like they're already trying to circumvent the normal process for getting a building project done in the city of Auburn.
More troubling, though, is the message this vote sends to important players in this process outside of Auburn. State and federal lawmakers who must approve any casino project like this now will get the message that Auburn wants this - when Auburn truly doesn't know because it has little information from the tribe proposing the project.
And if you go by the turnout at last week's council meeting, most people actually don't want it. The majority of the public speakers said they opposed this deal.
City residents should also be angry that Seneca-Cayuga Chief Paul Spicer had left the meeting to grab a bite to eat before public comments or the vote took place. He says he wants to work with the community, yet couldn't take the time to hear what people had to say.
Remember, this is the same tribe that abruptly dropped plans for the same project in Sennett when that town board sought to hold a public hearing.
Given the uncertainty surrounding this project, not to mention the red flags that most reasonable people can already see, we commend councilors David Dempsey and Matt Smith for their “no” votes on this resolution. We urge them to convince Lattimore and councilors Bill Graney and Tom McNabb to start working harder on solid economic development projects instead of being mesmerized by the thought of easy money.