Let Governor Cuomo Know You Want Multiple Casinos in SC

writersworkshopofsullivancounty.blogspot.com

"Stimulating meaningful thought & debate in Sullivan County without retribution"  

Casino Gaming in Sullivan County: It's time for all of us to speak out for multiple venues

Be that person that makes a difference.   

by Mo Herman

If you care about Sullivan County, and truly want to make a difference for all of us, write, email, and Facebook Governor Cuomo.

When I was a kid, my father told me the most important thing as a human being is to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and be happy with the person staring back at you.

He told me to ask these questions: Is the person staring back at you someone you're proud of? What has he/she done to help others and the community?

Has the person staring back at you contributed to society that's of value?  Or is the person staring back at you part of the problem?

In Sullivan County, this is a question each citizen should be asking themselves every day.

With one of the highest unemployment rates in New York State, it's only fair to question how many of us actually hold ourselves accountable for the problems the county has.

The reality is, unless you're fighting for change and a better way of life for each Sullivan County resident, then you are part of the problem that has made Sullivan County such a hard place to live, work and raise a family.

Governor Andrew Cuomo recently proposed a bill that would allow table gambling to finally become a reality in the Catskills, something this area has been waiting "patiently" for over 40 years to happen.

While several have been close in their attempts to secure gaming locally in the past, this is the closest our area has ever been to a real casino.

This is the problem: Cuomo's proposal calls for only one casino in the Catskills, and it's not certain that our county, which is desperate for job creation and that already has 3 formidable offers to build here, will lose that site to the former Nevele Hotel in Ulster County.

While bringing in casinos isn't the answer to all of Sullivan County's economic woes, it is a MAJOR start in correcting them.

Multiple casinos will create jobs and bring revenue into the county, and will also allow those visiting to gamble to learn about all the many things we have to offer here. This area has massive amounts of potential and a few casinos might be the start we need to thrive.

Cuomo's attempt to legalize gambling in New York is not really genuine.  If  he really cared about job creation in upstate New York, he would have proposed more than one casion for our area.

One politican who truly has our interests in mind and who does see the necessity of job creation in our region is Senator John Bonnacic (R-Mount Hope).  He is offering an alternative proposal allowing multiple casinos in Sullivan County.

Gov. Cuomo has yet to respond by reviewing this bill, which means it's not too late to persuade him.

Now, here's where all that accountability stuff I was talking about earlier comes into play.

If you care about Sullivan County, and truly want to make a difference for all of us, write, email, and Facebook Governor Cuomo.  Contact Page

Here's what to write: "Governor Cuomo, as a citizen of Sullivan County, which is one of the poorest regions not only in the state, but the US, we have seen our area as well as upstate New York become an area where our children won't or can't return because of lack of economic opportunity.  We need more than one casino to jumpstart our economy and improve the economy here in Sullivan County if casino gaming is approved by the voters.  Please change your proposal to help Sullivan County become a great place to live, work, and bring up a family again."

Be that person that makes a difference.  The only way to be heard is to speak up NOW!

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The Casino Push is On Again

writersworkshopofsullivancounty.blogspot.com

"Stimulating meaningful thought & debate in Sullivan County without retribution"  

The Casino Push is On Again

And finally, Sullivan County residents will be able to vote pro or con

by Ruby Pixman

Since Sullivan County is among the areas being considered for casinos, our residents stand to be most affected by any decision regarding the construction of new houses of gambling.

Once again, there's a new push for casinos in Sullivan County.

Recently, Governor Andrew Cuomo presented his latest plan that would open New York's first three casinos in upstate locations and prohibit them being built in New York City, its northern suburbs and Long Island for five years. 

We’ve been waiting for casino gaminghere in Sullivan County for several generations.  But this time a new approach is being considered, and it really may happen once and for all.

After approving a change later this year to the New York State Constitution, which right now prohibits casino gambling establishments, Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature are going to ask voters across the state to approve a casino gaming amendment.

In the past that didn't stop pro-gambling legislators from trying to get around the ban.  The primary tool was to grant licenses to recognized American Indian tribes, some of which have no geographical or historical connection to this area.  Since the Indian tribes’ lands have been considered quasi-independent jurisdictions, they are immune from many federal, state, and local laws.  In exchange for such gaming licensing, the Indian-run casinos kick-in a certain percentage of their takings to the various governments that are in on the deal.

There are a number of such casinos already in existence across New York State and the rest of the country.  As anyone living in the Catskills knows, there were more planned for our region, but they never came to fruition.

Many impediments prevented such Indian casino establishments in the Catskills during the last decade, such as opposition by the Bush administration, anti-casino politicians, religious groups and even segments of our local populations.  Local residents expressed concern about possible increased traffic and noise, detrimental environmental conditions, and even issues involving gambling addictions and the morality of government-sanctioned gambling.

There’s another issue that was rarely discussed back then, but now may be coming to the forefront:  The possibly unethical reliance on supposed Indian tribal sovereignty to circumvent the NY Constitution. 

Instead of taking this issue head on, and allowing Indian gaming to continue, Cuomo has sought to address this problem by recommending that a state-wide referendum be held, that if passed, would nullify the constitutional ban.  Regardless if one favors or disagrees with establishing casinos in Sullivan County and New York State, the public referendum would at least allow voters to have the final say as to whether they want gambling establishments in their midst.

The latest proposal has raised many questions:  How many casinos should be constructed in the Catskills, and where should they be located? Would these questions be subjected to other local approvals, zoning issues, and referendums and at what governmental level(s)? Since Sullivan County is among the areas being considered for casinos, our residents stand to be most affected by any decision regarding the construction of new houses of gambling.

No doubt most Sullivan County voters have heard all the arguments, pro and con on casino construction, and many would like to see the issue resolved. 

Will we soon get to vote on our preferences, or will Sullivan County continue to remain in limbo for another half century?

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