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Shinnecock Indian Nation leaders split on casino path

Publication: The East Hampton Press
By Michael Wright   Jul 7, 2009 7:17 PM
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Despite having been the Shinnecock Indian Nation’s most public face and the longtime field marshal of its casino development campaign, Lance Gumbs, who lost his bid to be reelected as a Tribal Trustee in March, has been forced into an increasingly marginal role with the tribe.

With Mr. Gumbs on the sidelines, Tribal Trustee Fred Bess has become the most visible representative of the Shinnecock casino effort—making him a target of barbs from some within the tribe who say casino developer and financial backer Michael Malik is using Mr. Bess to exert his own influence in tribal decision-making.

Mr. Bess, like Mr. Gumbs, has been intimately involved in the tribe’s casino plans since their inception. He was the only one of the three Tribal Trustees to attend a two-day gaming conference in... more

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" We started this for jobs for our people " Nice story Mike. Do they really expect us to believe that this casino needs to be near the village so people on the reservation have jobs? Last time I looked there were help wanted signs all over the village. Can we just be honest and say this is about MONEY and not try and act like were doing this for the good of the community. Do they think we're stupid? This is about a small group of people trying to make a large sum of money and that's it. End ...more
By icecreamman (88), Southampton on Jul 8, 09 7:42 AM
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After reading this story, I don't think this is a worrisome division. It seems to me that all tribe members have the same goal in mind - to establish a viable money-maker, a GREAT way of supporting their families and pumping money into a tribe that has received the short end of the stick for way too long. To begrudge the Shinnecock nation ANY type advancement is just ridiculous. To apply a NIMBY attitude is pretty brazen considering no one minded when THEIR backyard was stolen, developed and ...more
By sghmomma (5), sag harbor on Jul 9, 09 10:32 AM
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Well sghmomma, I'm sure you would have the NIMBY tude too if they were talking about the old racetrack or somewhere on the turnpike. Do you even know where Newtown rd is? Even on a slow day traffic can be dangerous.
By squeaky (221), hampton bays on Jul 9, 09 11:11 AM
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Lance and Fred are all about money! Thats a well known fact! Always have been always will be and will step on every and everyone to get what they want! Watch how quickly the tribe crumbles if the casino goes up
By Lahleas (12), Southampton on Jul 9, 09 11:25 AM
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*any and everyone
By Lahleas (12), Southampton on Jul 9, 09 11:25 AM
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Mr. Gumbs is right. Mr. Bless is being duped by Mr. Malik. The federal government has ruled against tribes attempting to put casinos too far from their reservations on the grounds that tribal members would not benefit from employment. The casino needs to be close enough to the Shinnecock lands so tribal members can easily commute. Hampton Bays is where the casino should be, the hell with those NIMBY's. Do you honestly think that the majority of the profits from the casino will be given to the ...more
By Walt (241), Southampton on Jul 12, 09 10:22 AM
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Walt why not in Southampton on the res? Why Hampton Bays? Its not YOUR backyard...thats why!
By squeaky (221), hampton bays on Jul 14, 09 12:09 PM
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"Long term employment for tribal members"! ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Lance has obviously lost his damn mind! He must think that this is the smoke shop he owns where he pays illegal immigrants minimum wage. This will not be your casino Lance where you pick and choose who gets what. This is a tribal decision and since the entire tribe is going to have to be recognized in order to get the damn casino everyone should benefit. I'm so sick and tired of these two corrupt leaders Fred Bess and Lance Gumbs doing ...more
By Lahleas (12), Southampton on Jul 15, 09 12:26 AM
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Lahleas, I always thought they were hippocrates. They have been employing people who are not Shinnecock to build their assorted projects on the Res when I know damn well there are very talented tradesmen there who would benefit. Money corupts.
By squeaky (221), hampton bays on Jul 16, 09 9:01 AM
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How about a Casino Club Member Card?Where a person could obtain a Membership and be entitled to a lunch on a given day?This is perfect!!My wife and I would be first in line!!!Especially during those long winter months!!
By watermillionare (2), Watermill on Dec 16, 09 11:18 PM
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it makes me laugh to read these negative comments about lance and fred from people that dont even know anybody on our rez and have no idea whats going on in the meetings ect,and im sure the ones that are talking like that probably tell people they are shinnecock and none of us here know who the heck you are,.(because your not shinnecock).a lot of us folks are struggling over here,with housing ect,and who are you to tell us where we should do what?,.we are indigenous to this country, if you don't ...more
By quasimm (2), shinnecock on May 5, 10 12:22 AM
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