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Debate Over New York Tribal Land Assessment

VERONA, New York – As reported by the Oneida Daily Dispatch: "The Verona Board of Assessment Review has requested more information from the Oneida Indian Nation in order to decide whether or not the assessed value of $399 million is accurate.

"The Nation contested the assessments on 217 parcels it owns in the Town of Verona at property tax grievance day, held on Tuesday. The Nation agreed to provide the board with construction costs on its properties. The board will then have 10 days to decide whether or not the town's assessment is fair.

" 'The Nation wants to have cooperative relationships with its neighbors,' said Mark Emery, director of media relations for the Nation. 'From my understanding, I think what they're looking for is construction costs, primarily of the resort. They felt it was a reasonable request and said they would provide that to them.'

"If the Verona Board of Assessment denies the grievance, the Nation will have the opportunity to seek court action.

"…Along with each of its 217 grievance applications, the Nation included a statement declaring that its lands are still sovereign and hold a market value of zero.

"The Nation insisted that 'all properties in the Town of Verona are part of and integral to the Turning Stone Casino Resort.' It stated that because of this, all properties have a value of less than zero because gaming cannot be legally conducted by any purchaser. Therefore, the purchaser would have to pay to remove all gaming facilities before using the property…"

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