The Cayuga Nation has filed a lawsuit against the Town of Fayette and the operators of Annie’s Grab ‘N Go in Seneca Falls.
According to a media release from the nation, the suit alleges the town has failed to enforce local codes and regulations on what it calls an illegal tobacco and marijuana retail business. The suit filed in Seneca County Supreme Court alleges the owners are falsely presenting as a native-owned business and the town has taken no action against the business for violating town zoning laws, despite receiving formal requests from the nation.
The nation further alleges that the business purports to be operated by traditionalist members of the nation who lack its approval to operate. and are therefore not protected by tribal sovereignty.
The nation stated court intervention is necessary due to inaction by the town.
Clint Halftown, the federally recognized representative of the Cayuga Nation, claims that Annies Grab ‘N Go being allowed to operate amounts to theft from the nation.
“Although the Nation and the towns may not agree on everything we should agree that business operations that are illegal under both Cayuga Nation law and State and local laws should not be able to operate under any theory of state or local protection. These businesses are stealing from the people of the Cayuga Nation, are not sovereign, and are not protected from enforcement of local zoning laws. If the towns won’t act to protect their citizens from rouge operators, the Nation will.”
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