By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
When J.C. Seneca takes the oath of office as Seneca Nation president on Tuesday, his thoughts will include his father, William Seneca, who served as president from 1968-70.
Seneca will be sworn in as president at the Seneca Allegany Casino and Event Center. He said some of the best things he ever learned from his father were “patience, fortitude and follow through.”
Having a good connection and relationship with people is very important, Seneca said in a telephone interview with the Olean Star on Thursday. Listening is very important. Other points of view often help provide a solution. “My father was very good at this,” he added.
One of Seneca’s first orders of business will be to set up a number of community meetings to ask the Seneca people what they want. The number one topic is likely to be negotiations with New York state over a new gaming compact.
“We are in a kind of pause (in negotiations) due to the election,” Seneca said. While he’s not sure when the Nation will re-engage in negotiations with state officials, “My priority is to engage with the people. I want to bring them up to date with the negotiations and look for their ideas. What do they want?” Likely topics will be exclusivity and revenue sharing percentage.
Seneca spoke of unifying the Seneca people and fighting drug addiction on the Allegany and Cattaraugus territories during the campaign and plans to follow through on those promises.
As a member of the Tribal Council and a former treasurer, Seneca has learned from other Seneca leaders including Kelly John and JoJo Redeye. “There is always an opportunity to learn,” he said.
This was Seneca’s fourth campaign for Seneca president. “I was 0 for 3, now I’m 1 for 4,” he said. “The Creator has a path for us – when it’s right for you. This is my time.”
Also elected last Tuesday were Treasurer Al George and Clerk Lenith Waterman, also endorsed by the Seneca Party.
Seneca’s path to the president’s office started when he won the Seneca Party primary over Treasurer Matthew Pagels. He was challenged in the Nov. 5 election by Mike General. Seneca posted 87% of the vote in that race.
“We’re really off and running,” Seneca said. “I’m ready. We’ve got a great team. Everybody is on the same page and has the best interest of the Seneca people at heart. We want to keep the Nation moving forward.”
Seneca said he got some advice from President Rickey L. Armstrong Sr., who ran for and won a seat on the Tribal Council.
Seneca said while he served on the Tribal Council, “We worked together all the time. We’re always learning from other people.”
