Seneca Casino Plans Face Opposition

Erie County Executive Joel A. Giambra is backing an expected legal battle to block the Seneca Nation of Indians from building a casino in Cheektowaga.


He has written Gov. George E. Pataki stating his opposition to the Senecas chosen site across Holtz Drive from Buffalo Niagara International Airport.


The potential lawsuit, announced April 6, would contend that the Cheektowaga site would violate the 2001 memorandum of understanding between the Senecas and state, which governs the location and number of Seneca casinos. The document specifically lists Buffalo as the site of one of three Western New


"Giambra's letter to Pataki resembles those he sent last fall to Interior Secretary Gale Norton and other federal officials involved in regulating Indian gambling. The county executive, who last summer ruled out the county-owned Buffalo Convention Center as a gambling venue, said the Buffalo waterfront is the only acceptable casino site in the county."