Friday, December 15, 2023
Vol. 100, No. 49
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Ready, Sell, Go With Bella
Happy Holid ays
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Rec Dept seeks to fill key jobs
Holiday houses PAGE 6 n Blood drive PAGE 7
Casino concerns aired at joint POA meeting
A GREAT START
BY RIKKI MASSAND
BY RIKKI MASSAND
To wind down 2023, the Village of Garden City’s Recreation Commission took a look into upcoming budgeting for capital projects and maintenance expenses anticipated over both the short-term and long-term. But before the heavy equipment, management and planning for the upkeep of turf fields and natural grass fields and planting new trees was laid on the table, the people doing the work of the department were a topic of discussion. Commission members heard from Superintendent of Recreation & Parks Paul Blake as he detailed the status of staff vacancies and operations within the department.
Members of the Garden City community and a few guests from neighboring municipalities gathered at the Senior Center on Tuesday evening, December 12, to discuss the proposed Sands Casino at the Nassau Hub site, and its potentially detrimental effects. The meeting, organized as a joint session of the four Garden City property owners’ associations (East, Central, Estates and West) was led by the Say NO to the Casino Civic Association. Village Trustee Ed Finneran was among the presenters. Village Trustee Michele Harrington and several outspoken local residents and volunteers also participated in the discussion as many issues were explored. The Say NO to the Casino group has 1,100 members on Facebook and over 4,200 residents have signed the Change. org petition opposing the development of the Sands Casino and hotel/retail complex at the Nassau Hub.
Financial impacts on community
Rec Director retires
The retirement of longtime village Recreation Director Sandy Young in early fall created a shift in responsibilities, as candidates to take over the role were interviewed but no one has been hired yet. One candidate was forwarded to Civil Service but they were not approved. “We’re starting to get a little strapped in terms of personnel; we have not been able to fill Sandy’s position and it looks like it will be a while before we can do that since Civil Service See page 36
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The Garden City High School Swimming and Diving Team took home their first two wins of the season against Oceanside and BellmoreMerrick. See page 58.
Financial impacts of the Sands Casino were elaborated on by village resident Rich Catalano, who said the annual losses by those who gamble at the Sands will exceed $2 billion, or $5.5 million lost every day. He noted that there may be increased demands on social services for gambling addictions, emergency services for police, fire and medical assistance and prosecution costs due to an increase in criminal activity. This amount, given Sands’ projections for attracting guests/patrons, would be more than eight times the amount gamblers lose at Jake’s 58 casino in Islandia. None of the $2 billion spent and lost by consumers at the Casino would be subject to sales tax, hurting Nassau County’s revenues if the project goes ahead, the Say NO to the Casino group noted. The group also said that the local and small businesses in central Nassau would not see an increase in customers, as “the casino will monopolize consumer spending.” Organizers pointed out that the restaurant space inside the Sands casino at the Nassau Hub will be equivalent of 18 See page 24
Festival of Carols at the Cathedral PAGE 3 GC Jewish Center celebrates Chanukah PAGE 42