<a href="https://www.wliw.org/support/contribute/thank-you-for-supporting-wliw-fm/?ms=wliwfmtopbutton" target="_blank">Donate to WLIW-FM today to keep this podcast going!</a>A NYS Suffolk County Supreme Court justice yesterday granted a preliminary injunction against the continued construction of a gas station in Hampton Bays by the Shinnecock Nation. Michael Wright reports on 27east.com that the injunction issued by Justice Maureen Liccione ordered that all construction activity “cease immediately” — though it is not clear whether the tribe, who have said New York State courts do not have authority over them as a sovereign Indigenous nation, will comply with the order voluntarily. A state court similarly enjoined the tribe from operating two electronic billboards along Sunrise Highway last fall, but the billboards have remained on because the New York State Department of Transportation has not taken any steps to enforce the ruling. Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said on Monday, “In addition to enjoining the Tribal Trustees from construction activity, Judge Liccione enjoined all construction on the site, so the order granting the preliminary injunction definitely applies to the contractor. We're seeking the advice of our attorneys as to what measures are available to the Town to obtain compliance with the terms of the court's order.” In her decision, Liccione referred to the tribe’s Westwoods property as a “residential parcel of non-reservation land,” and said that the construction of the gas station and travel plaza violated Southampton Town zoning codes and New York State law.***A state Supreme Court judge in Riverhead yesterday ordered the Shinnecock Indian Nation's leaders to immediately cease all construction work at the tribe's half-finished gas station/travel plaza along Sunrise Highway in Hampton Bays.The judge’s decision granting a temporary restraining order requested by the Town of Southampton also called into question a recent federal finding that the 80-acre Shinnecock Nation property on which the travel plaza is being built…adjacent north to 27 westbound… enjoyed special protected status as aboriginal sovereign land. In an order Monday, NYS Supreme Court Judge Maureen Liccione in Riverhead ordered "all activities" relating to the nation’s travel plaza and gas station at Westwoods "must cease immediately." The order includes all paving and excavation on the 80-acre property, which already is cleared with a long paved road along its western edge and a steel building frame.Mark Harrington reports in NEWSDAY that the Shinnecock Nation will appeal her ruling, according to vice chairman Lance Gumbs, who criticized the judge's ruling as failing to understand the tribe’s status."She’s not looking at this as if we are a government with our own laws and regulations," he said. "She’s trying to incorporate us into the town and under town’s jurisdiction and we are not under the town’s jurisdiction. We are a sovereign nation."Asked if the nation would stop work, Gumbs said, "No comment." James Burke, a lawyer for Southampton Town, said he was reviewing the decision with outside lawyers to determine next steps, including what to do if the nation fails to obey the order."We haven’t discussed how to enforce this as of yet," said Burke, who added he’d reached out to the town and discussed with tribal lawyers the prospect of a separate agreement by which the nation and the town can move forward. The nation has previously ignored town-issued stop-work orders.***In the Town of Southampton, polls are open today until 9pm for a special election to fill the vacancy left by former Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni’s election to the New York State Assembly.Democrat John J. Leonard, 55, and Republican...

Polls open today in Southampton for special election