Monticello, NY – Governor Urges Washington to Approve Casinos, Sullivan Economy ‘Depressed’

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    The slot machines at Monticello RacewayMonticello, NY – Gov. David Paterson is urging the interior secretary to approve two Indian casino projects in Sullivan County.

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    In a letter, Paterson urged Secretary Ken Salazar to reverse a January 2008 decision by the Bush administration rejecting the St. Regis Mohawk and Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican proposals in the Town of Thompson.

    Both tribes have reached local impact deals with Sullivan County. The Stockbridge-Munsees have actively pursued their casino in Bridgeville since the decision, while the Mohawks walked away from their partner, Empire Resorts. The Mohawks have recently announced, however, that they are negotiating with Empire to reboot efforts for a casino on land next to the Monticello Gaming & Raceway.

    Former Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne imposed a distance test, rejecting casinos too far from reservation lands and not within commutable distance by tribal members.
    Paterson called Kempthorne’s decision “misguided policy.”

    “In 2001, in response to the devastating economic impact of the September 11 attacks on New York State, state legislation was passed to allow up to three Class III Indian gaming facilities in the Catskills region,” Paterson wrote.

    “In keeping with the intent of this legislation, the projects put forward … would promote economic self-sufficiency for both tribes, while breathing new life into Sullivan County’s extremely depressed economy.

    “The economic development potential associated with these projects is the stimulus these tribes and this area of the state desperately need,” the governor said in his letter.


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    15 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    These two casinos are badly needed to stimulate economic development in the Monticello area. They would provide badly needed jobs and boost the value of nearby lands. Most importantly, it would provide frumme yidden with somewhere to go with their families on motzi shabbos for some fun and relaxation.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    Wow I can’t wait

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    will stimulate the economy even further when all heimishe moisdos will have to look for new places.

    moshe
    moshe
    14 years ago

    so many yiden gana make mill. of $$ if that is gano happen. avrey one will gane of this think. all dvellpers and investors !

    Joseph
    Joseph
    14 years ago

    B’H the casino has been thwarted until now. It’ll bring R’L Yidden off the derech and society in general recognizes it as a scourge.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    14 years ago

    How come the Rebbes allow heimisha mosdos to run Chinese Auctions which are essentially the same gambling casinos?

    Charlie Hall
    Charlie Hall
    14 years ago

    This is a TERRIBLE idea!

    There are already casinos in New York State. Many times I’ve driven past the one in Yonkers by the raceway and I’ve also driven past the one in Niagara Falls. The one in Yonkers has not improved life in either Yonkers or neighboring Mount Vernon, both of which have neighborhoods that look worse than anything in the South Bronx. And Niagara Falls, NY is an economic disaster area, one of the most depressing places you will ever see.

    And gambling addiction is terrible for the people involved, especially for their families. The state should not be promoting this.

    Allan
    Allan
    14 years ago

    Genious Governor finally realizes that Sullivan County is repressed. As with everything else in Sullivan County this will take years to be debated and again little or nothing will come of it.The one casino there is barely hanging on.