Nickerson said, “I am delighted that the BIA has recognized that the Golden Hill Paugussetts did not meet the federal criteria for becoming a recognized tribe, and lacked tribal continuity in many areas.

This is good news for Bridgeport because it casts aside the shimmering mirage beguiling some in Bridgeport to believe that the city could gamble its way to prosperity. In fact no older urban city has ever found casino gambling to be a path to prosperity.

It is good news for the State of Connecticut because we can now concentrate our efforts on developing Bridgeport as a transportation, business and maritime hub for the whole state in a health fashion that will attract good jobs.

It is good news for Fairfield County because the traffic congestion, air pollution and road fatalities would have had a chilling effect on economic development and quality of life throughout the county, including Bridgeport.

With this new and more realistic approach by the BIA we can now hope that in Connecticut and throughout America the uncontrolled proliferation of Indian casino gambling has run its course and the billionaire casino investors, many of them foreigners, who hoped to hit the jackpot have come up double zero.

The Golden Hills will undoubtedly seek to appeal this decision and I know that the Governor and the Attorney General will oppose this appeal with all the resources at their command and with my full support.”