| Though it is not
exactly slaying the dragon, Erie County has taken a very important
step forward in their fight against casinos. The county has come
out triumphant with a U.S. District Court decision allowing them to
join the Citizens for a Better Buffalo’s lawsuit. The lawsuit will
be taken to both the state and federal courts in an effort to halt
construction of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino in downtown Buffalo.
The decision was made by U.S. District Court
Judge William Skretny.
Last month, County Attorney Laurence Rubin
received orders from Joel Giambra to press for Erie County’s right
to join a list of plaintiffs against the casino. Giambra is an Erie
County Executive.
The purpose of the lawsuit, at both the state
and federal level, is to secure a mandate from the Secretary of
Interior to carry out a complete environmental assessment prior to
permitting construction of the 100,000-square-foot casino.
South Park Avenue is already experiencing the
pre-construction process, which includes the Seneca Gaming Corp.
nine-acre parcel. Work began back in mid-December. The compact,
arranged in 2002 by the Seneca Nation of Indians and the state of
New York, has bound the casino to open and begin operations no later
than December 8, 2007.
Gale Norton, then-Secretary of the Interior,
received a letter of concern from Giambra last fall. He expressed
concerns over the negative impact that could potentially be
generated by the Buffalo casino.
Giambra is very encouraged by the Skretny’s
ruling. “It shows Judge Skretny is paying close attention,”
declared Giambra. “It also recognizes the county’s position.”
A decision has yet to be sent down from the
Supreme Court on the Erie County request, but Giambra is not
discouraged. “At least, we will be heard in federal court.”
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