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Sam Magavern, with the Partnership for the Public Good and Citizens for a Better Buffalo, on Tuesday, Sept. 25 addressing reporters outside Common Council chambers on the group's concerns with the city's contract with the Seneca Gaming Corporation for the Buffalo Creek Casino

Groups support call to rescind contract for Buffalo Creek Casino



Buffalo (WBEN) -- Buffalo Common Council could reconsider its contract with the Seneca Gaming Corporation for the Buffalo Creek Casino.

Some local groups on Tuesday shared their views in support of a city lawmaker's call to rescind the contract.

They spoke to the Council's Community Development Committee -- supporting a resolution from council member Michael LoCurto to rescind the contract with the Senecas.

Sam Magavern -- with the Partnership for the Public Good -- claims the Senecas are violating most provisions of the contract with the city.

"They're not spending 1.7 million dollars a year marketing it, along with other tourist attractions in the city of Buffalo to people outside the city," Magavern said speaking to reporters outside Council chambers.

He also says the Senecas aren't following through on their hiring goals.

"They said they were going to try and hire a thousand people, 25 percent of them minorities, preference for local hires, and that they would report on that every year. They've never made a single report on their hiring, and now they're saying only 500 jobs," Magavern said.

Other opponents speaking included Anna Kay France, with Citizens Against Casino Gambling in Erie County, and Joel Rose, a member of the same group. He sees it as a chance for the Common Council to rectify a mistake made in 2006.

"... a mistake that was made with misinformation... and lies from the Seneca Gaming Corporation about what it would do if the city would relinquish Fulton Street and hook up the utilities ... to the Buffalo Creek Parcel," Rose said.

After listening to comments for more than a hour, the Community Development Committee decided to send the resolution on to the full council without a recommendation.   The group could consider the possibility at its meeting next Tuesday. 

In response, Seneca President Robert Odawi Porter issued a statement defending the casino and the 500 jobs it will create.



 

 


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