Facebook Challenge For Shinnecocks

The Shinnecock Indian Nation thought it would be smooth sailing from here on in but have been taking shots from some quarters.  The tribe has been trying to establish a casino on one of many possible "off reservation" properties to no avail.  Riverhead has indicated an unwillingness to allow casino operations at EPCAL.  Riverhead Resorts, a possible purchaser of land at EPCAL, would like to invite the Shinnecocks in to participate with them but their contract says "no casino".  Nassau residents don't much like the idea of using a renovated Nassau Coliseum for gambling, and so it goes.

A Connecticut group has held up the tribe's recognition by the Bureau of Indian Affairs by insisting that they cannot start a casino on "off reservation" property unless they first buy the property and put it into the Indian Nation Trust.  The Shinnecocks, meanwhile, want Long Islanders to boycott the Connecticut casinos as a result.

Now, a new 131 acre location, adjacent to Splish Splash on rte 25, is being offered to house the casino and details will be presented to the Suffolk Gaming Commission at a scheduled meeting.

LIRR Fare Increases-Coming Up

The LIRR will increase fares by 7.5% starting January 2011.  They are also going to announce many changes in scheduling policies as well.

 

MTA Throwing Suffolk Under the Bus

The MTA says that is planning to stop funding Long Island Bus, a bus transportation system that runs throughout the Island and carries 102,000 riders daily.

Suffolk Theater Startin' Up

Bob Castaldi, owner of the Suffolk Theater on Main Street, Riverhead has begun office renovations at the theater and hopes to submit building and renovation plans to the town very soon.