To the editor:

Our rural county is navigating challenging financial times. Our population is aging, and our diminishing young and educated students seek opportunity in more economically robust communities. Closed and abandoned businesses — like Fish’s General Store, the Fort Covington Hotel, Levine’s Clothing Store and McElwain’s Flooring Co. — are beginning to define Fort Covington, my hometown of over 62 years. There lies an extraordinary opportunity to alter this dynamic by negotiating a land claim settlement between the state and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

In this already fragile economy, our elected county legislators, especially Paul Lauzon (newly elected Franklin County District 1 legislator) have the chance to negotiate a settlement with the tribe. They are necessary actors in the potential success of a negotiated settlement. The tribal gaming enterprises bring $47 million in salaries to the North Country, a significant infusion of dollars into our northern county economy. We need to attract young talent and identify resources and key partnerships to fulfill our mission, including building productive relationships with state, federal and tribal officials. It is our responsibility to actively ensure our leadership is working on our behalf to build a stronger economy.

Chairman Jones and Legislator Lauzon, you have the chance to negotiate on our behalf, to bring job creation, to ensure that there will be no significant property tax losses, and to act before the inevitable land-into-trust action is taken by the tribe and negotiations cease. If the tribe decides to add to its land base by using the land-into-trust option, Franklin County will absolutely never receive back taxes or future tax payments for land that returns to reservation status. That taxable income, under a settlement, would be received in perpetuity — meaning forever. Not acting on this may be devastating to our already dismal budget and economy.

Respectfully, I request an update from our elected officials concerning the status of ongoing negotiations with New York state and the tribe and an explanation of the alternatives if the settlement is not reached. There are many mixed emotions related to this. There is excitement. There is fear. There are many different views on how to approach these negotiations. There are many people in this community that do not think it’s a good deal; however, on the other hand, a lot of people in my community have been waiting all their lives (including my children), and they have been talking about it all their lives, for a land claim to come. And now one presents itself — and we’re maybe just days away from it. Be responsive to your constituents, and provide us reasons and explanations for your inaction on this important issue between our northern county towns and our tribal neighbors.

Sincerely,

Craig A. Jock

Fort Covington