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Ex-Congressman Champions Tribal Casino, Cites 19th Century Treaty

Posted on October 20th, 2010

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A former congressman of the state of Ohio had to dig up a treaty dating back to the 19th century just to forward his position on the need for a tribal casino. James A. Traficant Jr., former Ohio state congressman mentioned that during the War of 1812, a treaty was ratified. This agreement should give the proponents of a casino to be owned by a Native American tribe in North Jackson some legal precedence. But with the impassioned speech by Traficant, residents who attended the trustees meeting of Jackson Township still had mixed feelings about the whole issue.

Some residents spoke for and in opposition of the casino plans, trying to sway each from their position. One resident took an informal poll on who were in favor of casinos in the area among the crowd. Of about 50 or less that were present, only 12 raised their hands. On the other hand, residents like Betty Byram, voiced their support for the project. She explained, “I am very much in favor of having a casino out here basically because I’ve had three children that I’ve raised out here. They’ve graduated from school, gone on to college and moved out of the area because there nothing here.” Her short remark was given a warm applause and cheers from the attendees.

As for Traficant, this was not the first time he expressed his views on the casino project in public. Last week, in a meeting of commissioners of Mahoning County, he also asked for their support for the project. He also asked the commissioners to persuade Governor Ted Strickland to be on the pro side of the plan. Traficant is bent on getting the governor’s support, as the project should still be approved by the latter should it move forward. Traficant is peddling the project in behalf of the Munsee Delaware Indian Nation and the Indigenous Tribal Affiliates of Native America. Aside from the casino, the plan also includes the building of a bank, a hotel and indoor amusement park. These facilities will be housed on an area spanning 20 acres located at the corner of North Bailey Road and Mahoning Avenue.

Trafficant used his time in the Jackson Township meeting to stress on the legal aspects that support the construction of the casino. He began by saying, “I’m going to talk to you about the legal grounds here. Because it’s just not happenstance that it’s the Munsee-Delaware Indian Tribe. He then cited the television series “We Shall Remain” which was aired on PBS. In the show, the Munsee-Delaware Indians were on the side of the Americans during the War of 1812, after which the two parties signed a treaty. Traficant thinks that the signed treaty will aid at the federal level, where the Munsee-Delaware tribe would need federal recognition for them to get a gaming license. He explained, “The attorneys feel the treaty that exists between the Munsee-Delaware and Uncle Sam will be significant enough to make it happen.”

As with speeches by proponents of casinos, he also pointed out the benefits of the project, claiming that the casino would offer at the least, 1,000 full-time employment opportunities for the residents and tribe members. Moreover, the tribe will have something solid to contribute to the community, as well as join in a revenue method that benefits everyone. As for taxes, tribal casinos are exempted from paying it, but Traficant claimed that the Munsee-Delaware tribe is open to discussions with the governments of Mahoning County and Jackson Township for them to work out a scheme that would entitle all parties to revenues. After the residents and Traficant were finished with their speeches, the trustees of the township told the attendees that as of the moment, nothing has been decided yet. Chuck Booth, one of the trustees, said, “This was basically an informational thing to let the citizens know and get some input on whether you want it or you don’t want it. There is still a lot of information to come back to us before anything happens.”

As for Traficant, he plans on continuing his campaign for the casino by addressing the commissioners of Mahoning County one more time, with further details about the project that may sweeten the deal for his audience.