The is neither denying or acknowledging the occurrence of an incident in which a Hampton Bays baymen says he and another fisherman were shot at while harvesting shellfish in the Shinnecock Bay near the reservation on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman for the Shinnecocks said on Friday that the trustees of the nation "have no comment" regarding the incident.
According to an article published on 27east earlier this week, Scott Burgess and Dean Columbo alleged that they were digging clams when "they heard the report of a rifle and the sound of bullets whizzing past" them.
To read the full 27east report, click here.
Mr. Gumbs also made it clear that the Shinnecocks claim ownership of the bay bottom to 1000 feet from shore but it is unclear on what this claim is based. The gunshots were fired, it would seem, to scare the baymen off. If there is a dispute between the Shinnecocks and the state as to which offshore waters are actually "theirs", then the dispute should be settled before any further action is taken by the state enabling Shinnecock casinos. This egregious anti-social behavior is intolerable. Holding off on licensing Shinnecock casinos is the most assured means of compelling a speedy resolution of the dispute and ending the "turkey shoot" PERMANENTLY.
The Shinnecock claim of ownership of the bay bottom is a naked assertion unsupported by law or consensus. The Southampton Town Trustees, charged with oversight of the bays, do not recognize it. Since the Trustees are properly jealous of their authority, they never will. As long as the Shinnecock leaders continue to promote the dogma that the bay bottom is tribal land on which baymen are trespassing, their members will continue to shoot at citizens violating their "rights". Putting a stop to the shooting requires that an end be put to the ownership dispute. The pending approval of Shinnecock casinos gives us the leverage to compel an agreement with the intransigent tribe, an opportunity which will not come again. The state should make it clear to the Shinnecocks that no licenses will be forthcoming unless and until they reach an agreement with the authorities about the status of the waters offshore of Indian land. Foregoing this opportunity, and allowing the status quo to continue, is a timorous legislative decision that will end in tragedy.
They MAY have a right to possession of the bay bottom that had been exposed prior to the opening of Shinnecock Inlet (thanks to a '72 court decision.) This would seem to be a profitable line of discussion. If an agreement can be reached on this point, a boundary can be measured and marked by pilings so that baymen will know where the Indian lands end. The granting of casino licenses should be contingent on such an agreement.
I would guess that is not an ideal situation. Perhaps a VIP entrance will solve the problem
They are not the only people in the Hampton's that can't police themselves.
Are there any nail lady job's open?