Tempers flared and voices rose towards the end of Thursday's Town Council meeting, as Councilman John Gavaris led the charge during his council person's concerns portion of the meeting and began to question the Western Mohegans' representatives, Chief Ronald Roberts and Business Manager Robert Parker, about the group's tax-status with the county and about Roberts's own past and character.

Gavaris began his questioning by asking about the tribe's situation regarding their taxes, and what he said were lies told to him and the rest of the town board. He said that when Parker told the town board that they had a PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) agreement with the county, that this was untrue, as was their assertion that all of their taxes were paid up until the present year, citing an unpaid 2007 school bill.

"In the legal sense of what PILOT is, it's not a PILOT. But it is a payment in lieu of taxes," said Parker. After pointing out that the 2007 school bill was covered by the county making the district and town whole on unpaid taxes, Parker then explained that the Western Mohegans had an agreement with Ulster County to pay a certain amount of money each year instead of their regular taxes, and as such, it was payment in lieu of taxes, adding that right now the agreement is in dispute. Eventually, Parker admitted that while his use of the term "PILOT" when describing the agreement was potentially misleading, it was not actually untrue, saying it was a "misrepresentation," and a use of "poetic license." He apologized for the confusion, and Chief Roberts told the board that they didn't mean to lie to them. Chief Roberts also said that the dispute with the county would be settled in the next 60 days, and if they lost the case, they would pay this year's taxes.

Gavaris then switched gears, bringing up the oft-discussed New York Times and Kingston Freeman articles detailing Roberts's court experiences, which Gavaris had only recently been privy to.

"He's paid his dues," said Parker. "He had some legal troubles, but that does not change his Indian heritage."

Gavaris then began to ask the two if the group had ever applied for federal recognition as a tribe, a question which led to some confusing discussion and debate. In short, Parker explained that despite reports to the contrary, the Western Mohegans never applied for federal recognition. He said that the group had submitted a letter to the President of the United States which was mistaken for an application, which, because it was not intended as an application, came up short.

The accusations, questions, and explanations kept coming from both sides of the bench, with occasional comments or questions from Councilman Terry Houck and Councilwoman Theresa Hyatt, when Joann Parker, Robert Parker's wife, said that Gavaris was "acting like the judge and jury," basically saying that he had overstepped his bounds in his capacity as a member of the town board during the heated discussions.

"Facts are often gotten incorrect," said Joann Parker. "The chief has done great things for his people, and he's doing great things for this county…you should be working together! This is disgusting."

At this point, Chief Roberts became somewhat emotional as he responded to some of the accusations which had been sent his way during the fracas.

"I took responsibility for the things I've done wrong," he said. "I want a second chance for my life…I haven't done anything to hurt you people."

Eventually, Robert Parker broke into the conversation, putting the situation bluntly.

"We need to pass muster with the state of New York. If it doesn't, we won't do it," he said.

At one point, a motion was made by Gavaris to hold an informational meeting at the Ellenville Central School District Campus in order to inform the community about the Indians and their plans for the proposed casino, but disagreements arose about time frame, timing (the meeting would have taken place before a parade the Western Mohegans had planned, as well as the opening of their museum), and other scheduling conflicts, and the motion was rescinded before it was voted on. At this point, much of the discussion had moved from talk of Roberts to that of the casino itself, and whether or not it would benefit the town. At this, Gavaris pledged his support, and said that he wanted to hold the informational meeting to better acquaint the community with the proposed plans.

Later still, local business owner Bella Volchik began to argue with Councilman Gavaris, during which time she said that it was a "constant struggle to get anything done" in the community. She then commended Town Supervisor Ed Jennings as the "most proactive Town Supervisor" in years, citing the approved resolution for Western Mohegan support, passed several weeks ago, and the impending arrival of Wal-Mart. Volchik also said that those who were trying to slow the progress of these two projects were displaying a "cave-dwellers' mentality."

"This town is about to wake up," she said.

Near the very end of the protracted discussion, Councilwoman Theresa Hyatt used her own concerns-period to make a motion to rescind the resolution which had granted town-support to the Western Mohegans in their bid for state recognition and subsequent casino. The resolution had been voted on twice already, once defeated 3-2, and approved a week later 3-0. The town board had attempted to hold an unscheduled emergency meeting two weeks ago to vote on the motion a third time, but because of the open meeting law, was unable to do so. This week, the resolution to rescind the already-passed resolution was defeated, 3-2, with Jennings, Geelan, and Gavaris voting against, a surprising turn of events given Gavaris's urgency two weeks ago while trying to put together the unscheduled meeting.

At the very end of the meeting, resident Joan Beck sought clarification regarding what would allow for the casino to arrive in Wawarsing. She was told that it's entirely up to the state as to whether or not the project could even move forward. She said, "So then why are we arguing?" to which the room burst into applause. With that, the meeting was adjourned.

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