Quote:
Originally Posted by Bownesian
I think that the City's best approach would be to tell the band council that we will consider any fully ratified offers they propose while we make preparations to build the bridge over Weaselhead and an interchange at 37th that does not include access to their casino on our dime. No more *us* making offers to them, no more good faith negotiations.
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I appear to be out of thanks so I guess I have to quote this and agree with it instead. And I fully agree. If they're going to steadfastly reject all proposals, that even they are in on concocting, and maintain that the land is of some historical value to them, this is the only option.
They know we want a road. They know we're willing to pay for it. If they're willing to hook us up, great. If not, they're squandering an opportunity to seriously enhance their own future. That's alot of money we're offering. If they hope to build things in the future that we'll support (ie the casino), they need to stop saying one thing and doing another.
I fully respect their right to deny us their land. But the constant dangling of the carrot has just gone too far. AFAIC, take that money and keep it on our land. Expropriate a string of houses along 37th in Lakeview and build a bridge. Sorry, residents of Lakeview.. It's for the greater good, much like the houses that got expropriated to build the glenmore and elbow interchange. We can't change the fact that it was ill planned, all we can do is fix it. If the Tsuu Tina won't help then to hell with them. Something tells me that in 50 or 60 years, when the city has grown further west and started to really surround the reserve, they're going to look back on this opportunity and do a facepalm.