AUBURN - Candidates for Cayuga County Legislature District 14 shared their views on a settlement with the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York during a televised debate at Cayuga Community College Thursday.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Candidates for Legislative District 14 Michael Didio goes over his point as Dan Sincebaugh listens during their debate Thursday afternoon at Cayuga Community College's television studio.
Candidates for Legislative District 14 Michael Didio goes over his point as Dan Sincebaugh listens during their debate Thursday afternoon at Cayuga Community College's television studio.
Republican and Conservative candidate Michael Didio faces Democrat and Independent candidate Daniel Sincebaugh for the seat currently held by Michael Lepak, who has reached his 12-year term limit.
District 14 covers the southwest corner of Auburn.
Sincebaugh, who works for the Department of Public Works, agreed with the decision made by the Cayuga County Legislature to join Seneca County lawmakers and reject a proposed settlement which would have created about 10,000 acres of sovereign territory.
He said he doesn't want to take away county residents' land that was once owned by their grandparents, and he said he certainly doesn't want to support an idea that would exempt the land from taxes and put that burden upon county residents.
“The taxpayers are at their max,” he said. “They can't afford to take on any more taxes.”
Didio, a parole officer at the Willard Drug Treatment Campus, said that he doesn't believe in sovereign land or land in trust. He asserted that businesses on sovereign land are generally non-taxed businesses and he wouldn't support anything that “will interfere with the people of the county.”
“As long as their businesses are taxed I'll take a good look at it,” he said.
He also noted that there are more than 20 reservations in New York and there hasn't been one in Cayuga County since before 1800.
It has been suggested that a settlement with the Cayuga Nation would lead to the development of a casino in Cayuga County. Didio said that he sees no need for a casino, and would rather see a hotel or convention center come to the county.
“I don't see the value of anything a casino can offer,” he said.
He said he wanted his two grandchildren to have choices in life, the opportunity to go to college and get an education. What he didn't want is them deciding to work at the casino, he said.
“I want something more for them. I want something more for District 14 taxpayers,” he said. “I want something more for Cayuga County.”
Sincebaugh suggested that the question of a casino should go to a referendum.
“Let the people decide,” he said. “We can end this with a referendum.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.
District 14 covers the southwest corner of Auburn.
Sincebaugh, who works for the Department of Public Works, agreed with the decision made by the Cayuga County Legislature to join Seneca County lawmakers and reject a proposed settlement which would have created about 10,000 acres of sovereign territory.
He said he doesn't want to take away county residents' land that was once owned by their grandparents, and he said he certainly doesn't want to support an idea that would exempt the land from taxes and put that burden upon county residents.
“The taxpayers are at their max,” he said. “They can't afford to take on any more taxes.”
Didio, a parole officer at the Willard Drug Treatment Campus, said that he doesn't believe in sovereign land or land in trust. He asserted that businesses on sovereign land are generally non-taxed businesses and he wouldn't support anything that “will interfere with the people of the county.”
“As long as their businesses are taxed I'll take a good look at it,” he said.
He also noted that there are more than 20 reservations in New York and there hasn't been one in Cayuga County since before 1800.
It has been suggested that a settlement with the Cayuga Nation would lead to the development of a casino in Cayuga County. Didio said that he sees no need for a casino, and would rather see a hotel or convention center come to the county.
“I don't see the value of anything a casino can offer,” he said.
He said he wanted his two grandchildren to have choices in life, the opportunity to go to college and get an education. What he didn't want is them deciding to work at the casino, he said.
“I want something more for them. I want something more for District 14 taxpayers,” he said. “I want something more for Cayuga County.”
Sincebaugh suggested that the question of a casino should go to a referendum.
“Let the people decide,” he said. “We can end this with a referendum.”
Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239.
The Citizens' Say
There are 2 comment(s)
Gloria wrote on Oct 19, 2007 6:49 PM:
Dave R wrote on Oct 19, 2007 3:12 PM: