Potocki, others speak on land-claim issue
Feb. 26, 2002

ONEIDA — The Feb. 16 proposal to settle the Oneida land claim was foremost on the minds of about 150 people who crowded the Oneida High School cafeteria for Monday’s meeting of the Upstate Citizens for Equality.

The meeting also was the platform for the first campaign speech of Congressional candidate Rodger Potocki of New Hartford. He is challenging veteran incumbent Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, also of New Hartford, for the Republican nomination in the 23rd District.

Potocki offered some criticisms of his opponent, but the heart of his brief talk was devoted to the land claim. The UCE is the largest organization opposed to the Oneida Indians’ federal lawsuit, which seeks reparations for 250,000 acres taken by the state from the Indians in Oneida and Madison counties.

When Potocki announced his candidacy at the UCE office in Oneida, he said he opposes the sovereign status of the Oneida Indians. Oneida Nation spokesman Brian Patterson said then the remark smacked of genocide.

The candidate said Monday that the emotionally loaded term made him angry.

“Money, control and power is what this dispute has been about and is going to be about,” he said. “It has nothing to do with race.”

He said, “I admire the Oneida Nation Inc.” for taking advantage of the opportunity to open a casino and expand its businesses.

“It’s the politicians that have ... created all these problems,” he said, and, “It’s time for Congress to step up to the plate” and settle the dispute out of court.

Potocki said supports equal rights for all American citizens, but, “I will not support a system based on segregation or separatism.”

UCE member Judy Bachmann told the audience that owners should not assume that title insurance on their property will protect them from the barrage of lawsuits launched by the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin.

The tribe was left out of the proposed settlement and sued 20 property owners for their land and back rent last week. More suits are expected.

The tribe’s lawyer said the suits targeted owners with title insurance that would protect them from court-imposed penalties, but Bachmann said most people have policies that protect only the lenders.