Lets Get Down To
Facts
New York State voters overwhelmingly approved legalized
non-Indian casinos but now it's time to get down to the facts and see if our
politicians were telling the truth when they sold this referendum on their facts
that the casino industry would bring an estimated 10,000 new NY jobs, increase
aid in every NY school district, and efforts to provide property tax
relief.
We don't have to over emphasize the fact of high
unemployment and the need to increase aid to our school districts along with
property tax relief.
We hear the words from top politicians that the new casinos
will help revive struggling upstate regions.......we don't want to just hear
these promises because promises like this are sometimes nothing but hot air and
don't mean a thing.
At stake locally are possible casinos at the former Concord
Hotel site and one could land at the former Grossinger Hotel property. But
looking at this with reality being the deciding factor we see a casino at the
former Concord property and one at the former Nevele Hotel near
Ellenville.
Now that the casino vote is history it should be clear to
everyone that the new state constitutional amendment allows up to seven
commercially operated casinos in several different locations in the state but
they are banned in News York City and its suburbs for at least seven years and
they are also banned near the five gaming palaces operated by Indian tribes
upstate. The state plans call for an initial roll-out of four casinos in three
upstate locations, the Catskills, the Capital Region and the Southern Tier along
the Pennsylvania border with each region getting at least one
casino.
State officials are backing terminology that these new
casinos and resort destinations will promote tourism and with tourism having
been a leading factor in the health and well-being of Sullivan County it
hopefully will put this area back on the tourism map.
Gambling, although not totally supported by everyone, is and
has been a part of our society for many years. It brings negatives and positives
when discussing what is best for society.
Our sick economy needs a strong booster shot and we see a
casino or two as the start of putting a more healthy economy for
all.
Increased new revenue and job creation both in the
construction state and permanent full time jobs after a casino is in operation
would be a start in the right direction.
No specific time table has been established for what comes
next but casino developers will be submitting bids to the state, a selection
committee will review each bid and it has been reported that administration
officials expect to issue the first four casino licenses by the end of 2014 with
license holders required to open casinos within two years.
If this time table holds true we could see
casino facilities in operation sometime in 2016....but hold your bets folks
changes could be made at any time.
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