Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente On Oneida Deal – I Believe This Will Be The Best Thing Going Forward

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente believes the Oneida Nation deal approved by the county board of legislators is a good deal that will greatly benefit the community going forward.

Just hours after the board's passage of the pact, Picente joined WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning, saying he was disappointed that some legislators were against the deal before they read it, and didn't meet with him or his staff to discuss their concerns or have their questions answered.

Picente said it was time to move the area forward, especially with expected developments coming to the Marcy Nanocenter Site.

''Marcy will happen. I'm not going to put a date on it, but we've been planting the seeds... and working with various companies. When that happens, and as we put the pieces together, this area will see growth that it hasn't seen before,'' Picente said.

''I respect them all. I know some of them live in that epicenter in Vernon, Verona, Sherrill, they live and breath this everyday,'' Picente said on those legislators who voted 'no' on the deal.

On doubts the Oneidas will comply with the terms: ''By waiving sovereign immunity, we can take them to court if they don't abide by this agreement, everybody has to comply,'' Picente said.

From a quality of life standpoint, the county executive said the Turning Stone brings in entertainment and events, however there is constant disagreement between the Oneidas and local governments.

''Someday we'll look back on this, and I hope we'll say 'It didn't taste good when if first went in, but overtime it was the right way'. We've been debating this issue for 20 years,'' Picente said when asked about the hurried process in approving the deal.

And, regarding two exhibits inside the agreement that were missing and not presented to legislators, Picente said those pages dealt with gaming and while there were not intentionally omitted, they were 'not relevant to county issues' , Picente said.

Full interview from WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning: