HOBART, WI (WTAQ) – Police have issued a citation for not having a special events permit to the Oneida Nation after the tribe hosted its Big Apple Festival on September 17.
Hobart-Lawrence Police Chief Randy Bani refused comment to FOX 11 about the ticket, citing the federal court case.
Village leaders say the tribe needed to get a permit for an event with over 50 people. The tribe disagrees, saying the village ordinance doesn’t apply to an event on land held in federal trust.
The tribe’s position has not changed, according to spokeswoman Bobbi Webster.
“Hobart has no authority to regulate the Nation or its officials or activity on the Oneida Reservation or on the Nation’s trust lands. Oneida has laws and ordinances in place to ensure public safety and welfare. We do not intend to pay any citation issued regarding this incident,” she said.
The ordinance, which was passed this spring, states organizers of certain events without permits could be jailed for up to 90 days and fined up to $10,000.
The Oneida filed a lawsuit in federal court before the event, seeking a ruling that the permit was not needed. A judge declined the request for a temporary restraining order, instead ruling the case would move forward only if a citation were issued. As of Monday, nothing new had been filed in the case since the citation was issued.
