Cattaraugus County lawmakers urge Gov. Hochul to renew gaming compact negotiations with Senecas – Olean Star

By RICK MILLER

Olean Star

LITTLE VALLEY — Cattaraugus County lawmakers urged Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday to renew negotiations with the Seneca Nation of Indians for “a new, fair and equitable” gaming compact.

The unique 2002 gaming compact that led to building of the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca expired Dec. 31, 2023. Since then, a sequence of extensions have saved operations operating whereas negotiations proceed.

County Legislature Chairman Andrew Burr, R-Gowanda; Majority Leader Kelly Andreano, R-Olean and Vice Chairman Ginger Schroder, R-Farmersville had been sponsors of the decision.

County Administrator Kelly Reed stated after the assembly the county hasn’t obtained any income sharing from New York State since 2024. She stated it wasn’t clear how a lot the county and City of Salamanca and the Salamanca Central School District would obtain or when.

“The economic benefits generated by the Seneca Nation are significant economic drivers for the region and critical to the health, welfare and safety of their members,” the decision states.

Not solely is New York State “ a major beneficiary of the collective economic drivers for the region from a healthy and vibrant Seneca Nation,” however native municipalities “rely on the fees supported by the compact to fund essential public  services, including essential police and fire protection.”

Schroder criticized the governor for prioritizing the making of an educational video on snow shoveling over extra vital state obligations together with negotiating a brand new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation. “I think it’s a terrible shame that we have a state legislature and a governor, in particular, who are ignoring their obligations to the Seneca Nation,” she stated.

The legislature was unanimous in urging Hochul “to immediately resume negotiations in good faith to bring about a resolution acceptable to all stakeholders as quickly as possible.”

Legislators had been additionally unanimous of their opposition to the electrical energy and pure gasoline charges and supply fees requested by New York State Electric and Gas to the state Public Service Commission.

The proposed electrical energy charge hike of 18.4% and 35% enhance in supply fees can be efficient May 1, and the gasoline charge hike of twenty-two% and 39% enhance in supply fees can be efficient June 23, in keeping with the decision sponsored by all 15 legislators.

Legislators accepted a bid of $42,920 from Catamount Color, Essex, Vt., for printing 100,000 copies of the 2026 Enchanted Mountain Activities Guide and $14,975 for a fold-out county recreation and exercise map insert.

County lawmakers adjourned in reminiscence of Gerry E. Zimmerman, the previous county Probation director from Olean who retired in 2019 after 23 years of service with the division.

After he retired, Zimmerman fulfilled his lifelong calling, acquiring a grasp’s diploma in Divinity from United Lutheran Seminary in May 2023. 

Before his demise earlier this month, he served as pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Portville and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Wellsville.