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Poarch Creek Tribal Chair: No Plans For Pot In Nokomis, We Really Want Scott To Talk Gaming
March 16, 2015
The Poarch Creek Indians believe they have the right to grow marijuana on their one acre in North Escambia, but that’s not really their plan, according to Stephanie Bryan, tribal chair. What they really want is to sit down with Gov. Rick Scott and negotiate a gaming compact that would allow casino gambling on the on Nokomis Road acre, just a few miles off Highway 97.
Bryan explains, in her own words:
by Poarch Creek Indian Tribal Chair Stephanie Bryan
Home for me has always been Poarch, Ala. — 10 miles from the Florida state line. I know when I pass the highway marker that I am leaving one state and entering another, but it is a separation that means little to those of us who grew up with family spread out on both sides of that boundary.
Certainly, it would be impossible to explain where Alabama ends and Florida begins to my ancestors. They were Poarch Creek Indians with a distinct culture and values. Neither they, nor the place they called home, were ever defined by lines drawn on a map.
Today, our Poarch Creek Tribe is federally recognized with trust lands in our ancestral homelands of Alabama and North Florida. It is our land in Nokomis that has been the focus of our efforts to negotiate a gaming compact with the state of Florida. But, recent roadblocks in those negotiations, a lack of understanding of our status as a federally recognized tribe and sensationalized media headlines indicate a need to reiterate our legal rights pertaining to the property, as well as how we plan to use it.
So, let me be clear. We are a federally recognized Indian tribe and we have been consistent in wanting to build a gaming business in Florida. In exchange for entering into a compact with the state, we have committed to sharing revenue and honoring existing compacts.
During a recent media interview that focused on our rights as a federally recognized tribe, the reporter asked whether we believe we legally could grow marijuana on our land. We have been advised that the answer to that question is “yes” because we are a federally recognized tribe, the same legal status that entitles us to negotiate a gaming compact with Florida.
Let me clarify, though: While it appears that we are legally entitled to do so, we have no plans to grow marijuana on our land.
We do have plans to replicate in Florida what we have done in Alabama — create jobs and economic security, add to the tax base and fiscal strength of our state, and be good and charitable neighbors.
In Alabama, our Tribe and our businesses have created more than 3,500 direct jobs and another 3,000 indirect. Last year, we spent more than $200 million on goods and services, paid more than $51 million in wages, and generated in excess of $100 million in taxes.
If he would meet with us, Gov. Rick Scott would learn that we are a deeply caring and religious people. We have given more than $7 million in charitable donations because we believe that to whom much is given, much is expected.
We are a community of Poarch Creek Indians who care deeply about each other and our neighbors. We are hopeful that the state of Florida will recognize our rights, sit down with us, and negotiate a compact. We stand ready to be good partners and good neighbors for Florida.
Pictured above and below: A “warehouse” under construction on an acre of land owned by the Poarch Creek Indians in the North Escambia community of Nokomis. Pictured bottom inset: The large metal building overshadows a neighboring home. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Story reprinted with permission from FloridaPolitics.com.
Comments
29 Responses to “Poarch Creek Tribal Chair: No Plans For Pot In Nokomis, We Really Want Scott To Talk Gaming”
That’s a fine looking barn.
@taxpayer…….maybe you should re-think the farming comment. Without farming, well, you wouldn’t eat. Poker chips don’t digest very well, but if you believe its okay to put a farmer out of business so suckers can go gamble, then I hope you enjoy THAT buffet.
if all the people the want pot to be grown would just move to Colorado it would alleviate a lot of problems in Florida. Please do not grow more pot and do not ruin the lives of others with another casino
It is apparent that the Porch Tribe has no respect for the folks who have residential land around their puny little acre. to have constructed that building next to a home is very inconsiderate to be sure, Whether there is gambling in fiorida or alabama is irrevelant to me, however I think consideration for land holders residential areas should be a concern of the county, state and respected by the Tribe. the casino in Atmore does not encroach on private homes and I believe they should show us the same consideration…..
It is fact that the Porch do a great deal of good for the community, however there is a point as to when a financial embarkement can be a cruel tool to harm previous land owners and their dwellings, very inconsdiderate indeed, The Tribe certainly has the money to purchase lands away from housing areas and farming lands………Anyone with a good conscience recognizes when they are making a serious error against another..
molino jim, bullseye on all counts!
for you people think that thinks a gabling place will bring in drugs,murders etc,well look at Escambia county,they have gangs,killing and drugs every day of he week.you dot hear all that killing in atmore. its brought in jobs and a place kids can even go to movies and bowling alley.do you see the lottery building new schools with their money,i don’t. the tribe is always helping our schools in some way. I don’t see Escambia county getting any jobs in here/ all they worried about is the beach.look at mobile they always gets jobs over there. all our money goes out of the state,not bringing in. you ever hear people here winning big on the lottery.look on their web site,its all in south florida. whats up with that? keep keep all their big winning scratch offs down. they cant say they don’t know where thoses big winners go because the control it. Escambia county is low paying and not enough high paying jobs here. the commissioners don’t want jobs here. they want tourist here for the beach.only so many people can work at Walmart. leave the Indians alone atleast they have jobs.
CW, it’s not so much about this particular location as it is them getting their foot in the door with Florida. This location will be used as a doorway into Florida.
With that said, I approve of them putting a casino.
” It brought drugs, thieves, heavy traffic and booze to the area. If you like that in Atmore, thats ok. I dont care to have it in my backyard.”
@Puddin,
It certainly did not. Atmore had drugs, alcohol, and thieves long before Wind Creek was ever thought of. I’m old enough to remember the crack epidemic back in the early 90’s. Traffic has increased a little, but it’s far from “heavy”.
There is a casnio in Tampa run by the Indians, so what’s the difference here?
I love Windcreek. The movie theater is great, the Christmas lights were beautiful. I don’t care to put any money in a game but if some one else does I don’t care. I am going to check out the restaurants and spa. Might go bowling and drink a pitcher of beer. I hope the tribe continues to use good sense and gets a foothold in Florida also. I don’t mind if they grow pot either. It would help tourism and bring $ to the area.
With the number of casinos closing down in other areas of the country it would appear that they have over built. I personally could care less if there is one or not because I have no desire to stand in front of a slot with bells ringing to make the fool players think some one just won a large jackpot. In truth find out what the percent of payout in the casinos is. Almost of it is a total suckers bet. At least with the lottery, if you do not win you will still have a book mark. Remember when the lottery first started it was going to support the school systems and was suppose to lower our taxes— how do you like your lower taxes?
To Bob, please read the entire comment. It brought drugs, thieves, heavy traffic and booze to the area. If you like that in Atmore, thats ok. I dont care to have it in my backyard.
I still don’t see this turning into anything. Wind Creek is succesful because it’s next to I-65 and very visible, but this one arce lot is in the middle of nowhere.
How many of You all buy lottery tickets, go to the dog track, ect. I think if its their land then they should be able to put a casino on it. If one wants to gamble all they have to do is go to mississippi or atmore anyway. Plus like I have said before these indians give a lot of money to the northend schools. So for the ones that do buy lottery tickets, drink ,cuss, ect what kind of examples are you setting for your kids, We ,us americans did steal their land and put them on reservations , leave them alone, no I am not a indian, I am a german. Lol
In Alabama, our Tribe and our businesses have created more than 3,500 direct jobs and another 3,000 indirect. Last year, we spent more than $200 million on goods and services, paid more than $51 million in wages, and generated in excess of $100 million in taxes.
They have given more than $7 million in charitable donations because we believe that to whom much is given, much is expected.
The farming industry will never come close to those numbers in the next 100 years! So some folks in Florida would like to just watch the grass grow? some people just don’t want to work!! some would just like to grow pot and sit own their front porch and get high..
Escambia county is in poverty. My sons don’t need this in their future. This is still a decent area to live if we don’t screw it up. It doesn’t matter what We want. I want to be a responsible parent and help to provide successful opportunities, and gambling seems like a lame decision to support.
Marilynn more than likely your property will be bought out if you’re willing to sell. If they get the ok to put the casino, they will probably build it so that the current 1 acre lot will be a gaming floor. They will buy up land around it for the rest of the building and parking. The current casino is built that way. The hotel, food, lobby, etc. is built on land that’s not allowed to have gambling.
Your land value might increase so…….
In response to pPuddin:
What has the Casino done to Atmore? Please explain. All I see is growth. Atmore was turning into a wasteland before the casino. I see jobs, taxes, new businesses popping up, etc. You sound like someone who likes things to be stagnant and never progress.
Well again as usual there is only one side of the property shown here. We live on the other side of this construction. We have been disturbed unbelievable since this project started. We get awakened very early in the morning with the sound of heavy equipment and people working, slamming dump trucks , the beep beep beep of things backing up and all sorts of noisy things. And it goes on and on. Some of our pets are getting afraid to go outside. The may have a legal right to build and do what they want with their land but does that also mean a legal right to infringe on our right to live peaceable. And all the upcoming possibilities that having that kind of place next door can bring, we have lived here in our RURAL not COMMERCIAL neighborhood for 14 years, when did it change ? We haven’t received any notice that there was a hearing for our zoning to be changed. And what about our property value are they going to send our appraisel down the toliet? This might be good for them but definately problems for us .
Personally, I would rather see pot grown there than another casino. Pot is a helpful medicine, where a Casino will bring booze, drugs, heavy traffic and a bad crown to our peaceful area.
Yes sir, its your land. Yes, you have a right to use it. But there is no need to wreck the area to prove a point. Please dont bring gambling to Fl. Looks what its done to Atmore.
With the seminoles having their fingers crossed for renewal…we all know it’s about the numbers regardless of what the politicians say their concerns are.
“We are a community of Poarch Creek Indians who care deeply about each other and our neighbors.”
See this picture? We just gave our neighbors a beautiful “warehouse” to look at.
That extortion plan for marijuana by Poarch to the state probably closed any doors for consideration by Florida or the gov.
Well there goes our neighborhood…to Hell in a basket of casino chips. Thanks a lot!!
If the Indians want to do the state a favor and make a ton of money, they will sell pot! Rick Scott is just waiting to find a way for he and his cronies to make the dough off pot. They put little children’s lives at stake for their political selfishness. The Indians should sell pot to help the children. What parent doesn’t want to do anything to save their babies?
It would be nice if they would use it for something positive for the community. Something other than gambling and drugs
If you make a threat you should be prepared to back it up. backpedaling like this will result in no gambling. I guess alot of people will be happy with that. I could care less, as I think casinos are for suckers. To each his own tho.
sensationalized- by the tribe – not the media- on the threat to grow pot
No honor in blackmail and threats shameful
So they threatened to grow marijuana if they weren’t given a deal and once Gov.Scott didn’t cave in to their threats they say they really weren’t gonna do it anyway. Sounds like the tantrum of a 5 y/o holding his breathe until he gets his way instead of a tribal council wanting to work with others to get what they want.