More Land Claim Negotiation Details Announced

Additional details concerning the Oneida Land Claim mediation process were released today (September 7, 1999) by Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Larry Carpenter and Oneida County Executive, Ralph J. Eannace, Jr.

According to Carpenter and Eannace, county officials assisted by private citizens represent Madison and Oneida County landowners in the mediation process. This public/private sector team is studying issues related to settlement.

The mediation process is conducted under the auspices of the Madison County Native American Affairs Committee and the Oneida County Indian Affairs Committee. Their membership includes: Madison County: Donald Behr, Donna Brummer, Rocco DiVeronica, John E. Gladney, Harry Hatton, Marcia Rafte, and James V. Rafte. Oneida County: William B. Croll, David L. Kennett, Neil C. Angell, Edward L. Morris, Robert F. Julian, and David J. Wood.

Other public officials participating in the process include: Oneida County - Hans Arnold, Harry Hertline, Joe Timpano, John Kent, Steve Haggas, Michael Arcuri, C. Lee Hinkleman Sr., David Pendergast, Fred Lampman, and Daniel Middaugh. Madison County — S. John Campanie, Ron Cary, Harold Landers, Russ Lura, Joe Slivinski and David Dorrance. 

These committees are being assisted by Frank Anechiarico, professor of political science at Hamilton College; Bob Calli, chairman of the Oneida County Industrial Development Agency; Dick Clark, a local businessman; Rick Fenner, professor of economics at Utica College; John Reinhardt, director of the Oneida Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Madison County Industrial Development Agency; Ned Walker, president of Walker Planning and Design and Don Iram a member of the Verona Town Planning Board. The counties are represented by attorneys G. Robert Witmer, Jr., and David Schraver of Nixon Peabody LLP.

"These individuals and many other private citizens have made major contributions to the mediation process," Carpenter said. "Their professional expertise and sensitivity to landowner concerns are invaluable."

According to Eannace and Carpenter, the team has been engaged in a lengthy process of researching issues and gathering information from landowners. This week, with the concurrence of Settlement Master Ronald Riccio, U.S. District Judge Neal McCurn approved the counties’ request to release the members’ names. Otherwise the settlement process and details remain confidential.

"The counties have been on a deliberate course to release more information," said Eannace. "An informed public is essential to our negotiations. We have spent the last several months conducting meetings with community and business leaders, as well as holding a public forum at the Stanley Theater in Utica on August 3. We are also engaged in ongoing discussions with citizen and landowner groups. In addition, we are in the process of developing a formal, region-wide public outreach program that will provide citizens with more opportunities to ask questions and offer opinions on Oneida Land Claim settlement issues." Details of the public outreach program will be announced in upcoming weeks. Eannace noted that the Counties’ research also included visits to other communities in the U.S. that have been involved in land claim settlements.