I was stunned by the Sept. 17 article regarding the Stillaguamish Tribe wanting to purchase land from the city of Arlington. What is wrong with our federal and local laws?
First of all, if tribes are allowed to be a “Sovereign Nation within a Great Nation,” why would we allow them to purchase more property for their reservation and monetary gain? That would be like allowing China or Canada to come to the United States and buy up land and title to their own country.
I served on the Stanwood City Council for several years and the three mayors I worked with were always promoting economic development. I hope Mayor Larson realizes that if the tribe disguises a “buffalo farm within the city of Arlington,” it will merely be another location for gambling, tobacco sales and economic obsolesence.
The city of Arlington will have no long-term revenue benefits, no control of property and defeat the purpose of allowing small cities, like Arlington and Stanwood, to grow.
It is my belief that Native Americans have a program to help them economically. This has been “handed” to them by our federal courts. Let them take what they have been given, use it for developing their lives, but stop the hand-out program.
Let their citizenship in the United States of America be as equal as everyone. Considering that they can vote, why can they not be subject to taxes, hunting and fishing licenses and the other requirements of all United States citizens?
Let government and society go hand in hand and build a stronger nation!
Gil Powell
Stanwood
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