New York

	UCE Upstate Citizens for Equality Inc. Madison County Chapter P.O.Box 65 Wampsville, New York 13163 web site: www.upstate-citizens.org Upstate Citizens for Equality is a citizen organization that is working to fight Indian land claims in Central New York and change the course of Federal Indian policy. UCE's founders began to study and criticize Indian policy over two years ago. A small core group of dedicated members suddenly ballooned with the addition of many more concerned neighbors starting in December 1998. That was when the Oneida Indians filed an amendment to their land claim calling for inclusion of over 250,000 acres of land and the private landowners who currently occupy that land. Since December 1998, UCE membership has grown to over 5,100, including a chapter in Seneca and Cayuga Counties founded in response to the Cayuga Indian land claim. UCE's biweekly meetings regularly draw hundreds of people, and some 1500-2000 cars participated in the UCE Rally for Justice in January 1999. UCE picketers can be seen on Saturdays at the Turning Stone Casino and other Oneida Tribal businesses. Roughly 400 people from western and central New York drove to Albany on May 1 to join in a Motorcade to End Indian Land Claims. We believe that Federal Indian policy is moving in a direction that is very dangerous for the values most Americans hold dear. Many Indian activist leaders (often for self-serving reasons) advocate Indian separatism and want white Americans to carry the cumulative guilt for everything bad that has ever happened to Indian people since the first Europeans landed. We encourage you to learn about the issues. We think that you will come to agree that "Indian sovereignty" and the reservation system are largely responsible for the long-standing economic and social problems of Indian-Americans, and that this peculiarly American version of apartheid must be abolished for the good of all. As this Web site grows, we will introduce you to Indian-American citizens who are asking Congress for relief from the tyranny of tribal governments that do not represent them and refuse to acknowledge their civil rights. You'll also meet citizens, municipal officials, and business people across the United States who are active in this struggle because they have seen the evils of the reservation system at work in their own communities.
	CITIZENS AGAINST CASINO GAMBLING IN ERIE COUNTY phone: (716)-440-8126 email: nocasino@nocasinoerie.org Website: http://nocasinoerie.org CACGEC was formed by concerned Western New Yorkers united in the belief that casino gambling in the County of Erie poses a serious threat to our community. The miniscule amount of revenue that casinos might generate for the area would be far outweighed by the additional costs of law enforcement, fire protection and gaming-addiction treatment. Add to that the likelihood that casinos would drain scarce entertainment dollars from other area attractions, and it's easy to see why we think casino gambling is a bad bet for Buffalo/Erie County. Why, then, are the gambling interests promoting casino "gaming" as a solution to economic hard times? Because they're the only ones who stand to profit!
	The Fact Alliance http://www.factalliance.org MAILING ADDRESS: FACT Alliance P.O. Box 9174 Niskayuna, New York 12309 Phone: (518) 377-FACT (3228) Fax: (518) 377-4401 Email: factall@nycap.rr.com The FACT Statement of Purpose The FACT Alliance for the Fair Application of Cigarette Taxes is a group of private businesses, trade associations, concerned organizations and individual citizens dedicated to educating New Yorkers about the highly negative consequences of rampant evasion of taxes on cigarette sales. The enormous loss of tax revenue on cigarettes, along with the impact of unfair competition on licensed businesses and the increased availability of tobacco products to minors, takes a major economic and social toll on all New Yorkers. FACT believes that New York State government must act to close loopholes that allow non-taxed cigarettes to be sold on Native American lands and over the Internet. Through the enforcement of laws currently on the books and new solutions that would result in equal collection of cigarette taxes, New York can close the loopholes that cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars each year. We respect the traditions of Native Americans and their right to operate commercial enterprises. We also support the entrepreneurial nature of Internet trade. But those who enjoy the rewards of conducting business with New Yorkers also have a responsibility to abide by the laws governing such commerce. Likewise, New York State has a responsibility to enforce the collection of applicable taxes on an equitable basis. There must be a fair and level playing field when it comes to excise and sales taxes, which make up a significant portion of the cost of a pack of cigarettes. Under the current situation, those not collecting the taxes have the ability to offer very advantageous pricing and also pocket additional profits by not passing all of the savings on to consumers. New York has the highest tax in the nation on cigarettes. This has helped cause a proliferation in unlicensed outlets for cigarettes. New York State has not acted to close these loopholes and recently further increased the tax on cigarettes, which will drive more cigarette buyers to the unlicensed outlets. As concerned citizens and legitimate, licensed businesses that provide jobs and pay taxes in New York State, we object to the fact that New York State has failed to enforce current laws to collect excise and sales taxes on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The owners of grocery, convenience stores and other retail operations that legally sell tobacco products and collect the taxes are losing customers to Native American convenience stores, smoke shops, and the Internet. The loss of cigarette buyers also robs our businesses of sales from gasoline, coffee, snacks, groceries and other non-tobacco products. Tax paying businesses are being punished for acting within the law. All New Yorkers are being hurt because hundreds of millions of dollars in excise and sales tax revenue intended for potential health care costs related to tobacco use, health education programs, schools and important public works projects is going uncollected. In addition to ignoring excise and sales tax regulations, many Native American and Internet dealers do not follow laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors. FACT will work to spread this important message and encourage New Yorkers to voice their opinions. New York State must act to close these tax loopholes. A State and/or federally administered, non-voluntary collection mechanism that involves the cooperative efforts of the government, retailers, cigarette manufacturers and distributors would enable New York to substantially reduce its budget deficit while promoting fair competition and reducing youth access to cigarettes. We stand ready to work with any group committed to finding a solution that halts the evasion of cigarette taxes and protects the future of legitimate, law-abiding businesses and our children's health.
	UCE Upstate Citizens for Equality, Inc. Seneca and Cayuga County Chapter P.O. Box 24, Union Springs, NY 13160. www.upstate-citizens.org Upstate Citizens for Equality (UCE) is a grassroots, not for profit organization comprised of concerned citizens who oppose private property being taken to form sovereign nations. UCE's belief is that self imposed segregation is harmful to the country as a whole and the people being segregated. Our Federal Government filed a land claim lawsuit on behalf of the Cayuga tribes asking for possession of 64,000+ acres in Seneca and Cayuga counties and restitution for its usage since 1795. UCE contends that this suit is based on an invalid claim. Furthermore, the validity of a claim belongs in the court system, not in negotiations. Please take the time to educate yourself about the Seneca-Cayuga land claim as well as Indian land claims across the country and how they affect you. We are a growing not-for-profit corporation of concerned citizens that stands against discrimination, and supports the continuation of free enterprise and equality in our communities. Our platform is: 200 year old bill of sale treaties between New York State and the Cayuga Indians not formally ratified by Congress were fair, equitable, and just. The land claim lawsuits based on technicality has resulted in Upstate Citizens for Equality, Inc. taking a stand. We believe: NO reservation should be established. NO tax free residential nor business lands should be allowed. NO tax free businesses should be allowed. NO negotiations should be secret, and ALL people should be equal and under ONE set of laws. If you agree with the above platform, join us by mailing a postal card or letter with your name, address, and phone number to Upstate Citizens for Equality, Inc., Cayuga-Seneca Chapter.
	UCE Upstate Citizens For Equality Niagra Frontier Chapter www.upstate-citizens.org We are a growing organization of concerned citizens that stands against discrimination, and supports the reinstatement of free enterprise and equality in our communities. Our 5 point platform is: 1. We seek an expeditious and final resolution of all Indian land claims within the State of New York. 2. We seek the enforcement of New York State Tax Laws requiring the collection of sales tax by Indian merchants from non-Indian and non-member patrons. 3. We seek either the recision or full legalization of gambling, but not the granting of a monopoly. 4. We seek enforcement and collection of the lawfully levied property taxes on all non-reservation Indian lands within the State of New York 5. We seek the end of government sponsored inequalities in education, health and welfare programs. If you agree with the above platform, join us by clicking here! Agreement with the above platform and having your name entered on our private membership list constitutes membership. Voluntary donations are needed, but no dues are collected. You need not even attend meetings to remain a member.
	Official Oneida County New York web page on land claim issue http://www.oneidacounty.org/oneidacty/issues/landclaim/landclaimindex.htm From: Ralph J. Eannace, Jr., Oneida County Executive Re: Land Claim Information Thank you for looking to the Oneida County Land Claim Web Site for updated information regarding this very serious and sensitive issue. Contained in the pages of this Site, you will find the basic information and some important original documentation, about this long-standing problem as well as updated information regarding our progress in resolving the litigation. We will be adding new information as it becomes available so that you can be informed. We are providing as much public information as possible because we believe a well informed public, working together, can help us resolve this serious matter. I also urge you to contact us via e-mail at landclaim@co.onieda.ny.usland
	The Official Web Page of the New York Farm Bureau on the land claim issue NYFB Communications Department Contacts: Jerry E. Reed, (518) 431-5631 Jessica Chittenden, 518-431-5070 Muriel D. Church, (518) 431-5615 New York Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 992, Glenmont, NY 12077-0992 (518) 436-8495; FAX (518) 431-5656 http://www.nyfb.org/nyfbnews/pr1216.htm Glenmont, New York, December 16, 1999… Along with representatives from eleven other New York State small business groups, New York Farm Bureau held a press conference calling upon negotiators handling Indian land claims to include certain principles as part of all settlements between New York State and Native American Nations. The group represents over 90,000 small businesses across the state. "We are afraid for our farm family members in several ways," stated Norbert Amberg, New York Farm Bureau Board of Directors. "Not only could some of our members lose their land and their livelihoods from these claims, but those who didn’t lose their property may be burdened with added property taxes as well, due to the Native American Nations exemptions." Native American Nations have been allowed unfair advantages in the marketplace which Farm Bureau members simply cannot compete with. These Nations are exempt from collection of sales taxes for goods and services purchased by non-Native Americans. Farm Bureau and the other members of this group contend that land claim settlements must include provisions that allow for fair trade as well as reasonable protections against involuntary forfeiture of property and displacement of property tax bases, among other issues.
	Madison-Oneida Business Directory land claim web site http://madisoncountyny.com/landclaim/index.htm WWW.MadisonCountyNY.com is a commercial Web site, supported by advertising dollars. With NO GOVERNMENT SUPPORT & NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING, we can say (within reasonable limits) whatever we want and post whatever information we think will be valuable to you. We'll know we're doing a good job if you support our participating businesses and encourage new advertisers to sign up for our directory listings. Revenues from the Sav-Ons and the Turning Stone Casino provide financial support for the Oneida Nation, its lawsuit, and its Web site. Your support of our advertisers will help us continue to build this forum and thus make a balanced view of the issues available on the Internet.
	Syracuse Online land claim pages http://www.syracuse.com/features/landclaim/ Syracuse Online, operated in alliance with The Herald Co., is the most engaging, comprehensive and interactive Web site for and about Syracusans and Central New Yorkers. It provides local and national news, sports, weather, yellow pages, audience interactivity and more. Syracuse Online is located at 5795 Widewaters Parkway, Syracuse NY 13214. The telephone number is (315) 251-1810.
	Private Citizen Page Deborah Anderson-Gaiser email: greycatboy@aol.com web site: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/greycatboy/myhomepage/index.html My name is Deborah Anderson-Gaiser. My husband, Michael and I run a Bed and Breakfast and organic farm in Vernon, New York, just three miles from the Oneida Indian Nation’s Turning Stone Casino-Resort, the only legal casino in New York state. We also own and operate a Real Estate Brokerage. We have two grown sons and five grand children. Our families have lived in this region for at least seven generations. We had hoped to peacefully retire to this 1812 home we have so lovingly restored. I would imagine our lives sound very much like many of yours, except for one very important difference. My family and 20,000 other families here in central New York are fighting to simply remain American citizens!