Editorial: Take land dispute to voters

THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2001

In an editorial today, The New London Day says its time to consult voters of three Connecticut towns on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's proposal to limit its land-into-trust applications to 880 acres for the next 35 years.

The paper says letting the voters decide could put an end to years of costly litigation. The paper says public opinion may have changed since 1993, when most residents voted to keep fighting the tribe.

The paper says if the towns' lawsuit returns to federal district court, the outcome is less clear. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the towns last fall and said the Department of Interior could take more land into trust for the tribe.

In a related open letter to the leaders of Ledyard, North Stoningon and Preston, a local resident says voters still don't want any acre of land to be taken into trust.

Get the Story:
Editorial: Time to consult the people (The New London Day 8/23)
Letter: Town leaders have no business meeting with tribal leaders (Betty Perkowski. Letter to Editor. The New London Day 8/23)