S P OT L I G H T: C A S I N O S I T I N G S city & state — June 16, 2014
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Orange. … The bidder is a subsidiary of Saratoga [Casino and Raceway], so when I went up to Saratoga and looked at the way they run their operations, it seemed that they are really good community partners. They have done this before, and have a great record. They are also a New York company, which adds additional revenue to the state of New York. … The other reason a casino in the county of Orange [makes sense is that at] the intersection of [Interstates] 87 and 84, [it] will draw a great many more patrons than anything in either Ulster or Sullivan [counties]. We’re closer to [New York City], and we’re going to pull a lot more people from the city and also from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and all directions. I believe the statistics could be as much as 10 times more revenue than in Sullivan and Ulster County. … Also, a casino in Orange County would impact the schools’ taxes. Newburgh Enlarged City School District is the second largest district in the state of New York. It takes in all the City of Newburgh, about three-quarters of the Town of Newburgh and twothirds of the Town of Windsor. Every person or entity who owns a piece of property in those three municipalities should very carefully be considering the property tax issue, because it will significantly reduce some very high property taxes, which we are all suffering under the burden of. ... The Hudson Valley Casino and Resort and the Town of Newburgh have both entered into an agreement—a memorandum of understanding— with the City of Newburgh to give us 15 percent of the host municipal seat, so that in addition to reducing our school taxes and [creating] jobs— about 2,800—and generally helping the economy, this 15 percent from both the Town of Newburgh and the Hudson Valley Casino and Resort will bring in an excess of over $2 million initially, and if it grows even more, it’ll help move the city forward to rebuild infrastructure, [spur] economic development and, most especially, help our crime reduction. … If we can really pull ourselves out of the economic hole, then the state will not have that much of a burden with us.”
JEFF KAPLAN Mayor, Village of Ellenville Local Casino Bid: • Nevele Resort, Casino & Spa, site of former Nevele Grande Hotel, Ellenville “The Ellenville area has a historical background in resort. We were at one point at the very center of the Borscht Belt—and frankly, as a result of the fact that New York limited casinos, our resorts basically went into a state of disrepair and decline, and most of them have closed, and have created a significant loss of employment in the area. That added on to the fact that the recession a few years ago killed our manufacturing and industrial base, and resulted in the Ellenville area [being] limit[ed] in its employment opportunities to, basically, public employment as either correctional officers or teachers working for the town or village. … Wherever you go in the world, you mention where you’re from ... so the historical basis for that site and the aesthetics of that site are incredible. You would not just be opening a casino but you’d be restoring a site that’s now a basically abandoned hotel and has been that way for five years, and an abandoned golf course, and is one of our entries into the area that really gives the whole area a blighted look, and would clearly be turned around. Our area is really prime for resort, because we are a two-lane highway somewhat off the four-lane road, and our roads could handle [the volume of] automobile traffic, as they did for many years. … We have the full support of the county, town and village … and in fact I haven’t heard any negatives from any religious organizations in our areas. [We have] universal support for this one specific site, as opposed to some of the areas [that] are split.”
MARTHA SAUERBREY Legislature Chair, Tioga County Local Casino Bid: • Tioga Downs Casino, Town of Nichols “In 2006 Jeff Gural opened Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. This was the site of a former quarter-horse track that despite attempts for revitalization sat idle for many years. It took Gural years to perfect the system, editing his leadership staff until he was able to find the best management for the property. Tioga Downs is now a smooth-running machine. They offer harness racing, simulcast betting, over 800 VLTs [video lottery terminals], two bars, a restaurant, concerts— and the list goes on. Over the years Jeff Gural has made numerous improvements to the property and added new opportunities and venues to attract people from all over the area. It’s important to note that the process of making this venture work has taken a high level of financial investment, along with an ability to build a strong positive relationship with our local communities. In a recent article out of Albany, a report states that part of the
casino evaluation criteria likely would include: immediate and full financing availability; a level of comprehensive development; relative experience in the gaming industry (track record of success or lack thereof); timeliness of project completion; pace of construction; significant ethical and integrity review of corporate activities; personnel; workforce development issues; labor harmony agreements; and environmental sensitivity. In my opinion, Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y., is the best choice for the Southern Tier. Their location is ideal, as they are already established along I-86. They are experienced, qualified, and ready to go with construction projects and improvements to an already established site. As I mentioned, their relationship with our local community is positive. The organization supports many community events, veterans’ groups, and they provide an ideal venue for various community events. The whole of the Tioga County Legislature agrees. Tioga County is a rural upstate county. We don’t have a large population, or extensive development. We do have an excellent work ethic. The people of our communities look forward to the opportunity that will present itself when Tioga Downs is designated a full casino. Jeff Gural came with an idea, and he made it work. He brought jobs to the area, increased sales tax, and on numerous occasions [has] come to the aid of people in desperate need. We have faith that he will continue to do the same with the expansion of table gaming to the facility.”
CITY & STATE REACHED THE FOLLOWING LOCAL OFFICIALS FOR COMMENT, BUT THEY CHOSE NOT TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE • • •
Leo McAllister, Supervisor, Town of Cobleskill Ronald McGreevy, Supervisor, Town of Tyre Robert Jeroloman, Mayor, South Blooming Grove
CITY & STATE TRIED TO CONTACT THE FOLLOWING LOCAL OFFICIALS VIA EMAIL AND PHONE, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND • • • *
Ann Thane, Mayor, City of Amsterdam Eric Mead, Supervisor, Town of Florida Greg Deemie, Mayor, Village of Johnson City John Burke, Supervisor, Town of Woodbury
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