Aside:
There are three Gaming Regions in NYS - Newburgh lies in the Catskills/Hudson
Valley Region, East Greenbush lies in the Capital District Region. The third Region is the Eastern Southern Tier. Thus, Newburgh and East Greenbush do not
geographically compete with one another.
Per Wikipedia, the Town of Newburgh has a population of 29,801
according to the 2010 census and covers 47 square miles compared to East
Greenbush’s 16,473 residents and 24.4 square miles.
Acting Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio expressed his support
for the project as he’d already received the presentation along with some Board
members as had Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus and a few County Legislators. Some County reps were in attendance.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus mentioned that the County had created a Task
Force on Gaming and Economic Development. The task force would study the
potential impacts of casino development on Orange County, including effects on
transportation infrastructure capacity.
Ground rules were that the presentation was to the Town
Board, there would be no public comments or questions.
Also, the Board would vote on the Resolution of Support AFTER the
presentation (it turned out to be a rather lengthy and specific Resolution). Passage was unanimous.
I spoke very briefly with Rita Cox, Sr. VP of Marketing and
External Affairs for Saratoga Gaming and Raceway after the presentation. Ms. Cox informed me that they are coordinating
a similar presentation for east Greenbush.
As the media was seeking more information from her I didn’t press her
for any details, but did get her card so I can follow up with her.
Now, my far too lengthy notes from the presentation ... nothing "Earth-shattering":
Supervisor Piaquadio introduced Ms.Rita Cox to begin the
presentation, which included the same
type of info as found at http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20140422/details-of-racinos-east-greenbush-gaming-proposal-released
only geared to the Newburgh venue and a much larger project (perhaps due to proximity
to NYC - 60 miles ... I've added East Greenbush project details for comparison)
·
$670 million project vs. East Greenbush’s $300
million;
·
2,700 construction jobs vs. 1,700; · 2,500 full time vs. 1,500;
· 500 room resort style hotel vs. 300;
· $37.5 million for the Region vs. $35.5;
· $13.7 million to the County and Town vs. $11.4;
Ms. Cox extolled the corporate and project virtues:
·
Experienced, trusted NY-based organization;· Game changing economic development project;
· Turn Newburgh into a destination
· Give County residents priority in hiring and provide training where needed;
· Stress local restaurants, farms, breweries and wineries in the development;
· Cooperate/coordinate with community entertainment venues;
· Fund local priorities directed by community leaders and local officials;
· Combat problem gambling;
· Work closely with the tourism community.
Brian Davis (Davies?) presented conceptual info about the structure:
·
Fine and casual dining experiences and some fast
food places as well;· Multiple entertainment venues;
· State of the art meeting and convention facilities;
· Broad spectrum of high-end and boutique retail stores;
· Valet, covered and surface parking
Acting Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio started the Town Board
Q & A period by asking if Saratoga Gaming and Raceway would assist the
three school districts in the Town that the Casino would not be located in (that’s
correct, there are four school districts in the Town).
· The developer would meet with all school
districts as well ass the City of Newburgh to discuss what could be done, however they
are a for-profit corporation.
Councilperson George Woolsey commented that they “have to
work like hell to make it happen” and there should be no negatives expressed.
Councilperson Betty Greene commented that the public has to
be involved and be supportive of the project.
Councilperson Paul Ruggiero thanked the presenters for
coming and stated that “we need to get the public behind us”.
Someone mentioned that a petition would be very helpful as
part of the Application to the NYS Gaming Commission’s Gaming Facility Location Board.
Pete Stenson
Pete,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the informative post. Nicely done!! I'm looking forward to the East Greenbush presentation.
All the best,
Tom
Pete -
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you taking the time to attend this meeting. My head is spinning from trying to absorb the facts, rumors, conspiracy theories, and just plain nonsense surrounding this issue. Until the residents of East Greenbush are given a chance to collectively express their feelings about this project we'll continue to wallow in bad information and unfocused emotions. So if we're not given this opportunity by our elected representatives we'll have to do it ourselves and so far your contributions on this blog are the single most invaluable tool in that process.
The latest from the Supervisor's Desk says there has been "much discussion" on the Casino issue locally since last November's referendum. Can any one document ANY of which the public was aware? It's BS, and he's lying.
ReplyDeleteOne of the other misleading statements was gthat EG Voters approved. only county data is available. does he think if he keeps saying it it will come true?
DeleteALBANY - Along with the inevitability of a Capital Region casino, addiction experts are also expecting another sure thing: problem gambling.
ReplyDeleteEven though we don't know yet where a casino will be built in the Capital Region, those same experts are saying they do know with a high degree of certainty, there will be negative consequences that go along with the hoped for benefits.
Again, the problem is that, whether you support the casino or not, Langley and DeFruscio are so untrustworthy that you can't count on them doing the right thing for the people of East Greenbush during the negotiation talks with the developer. In contrast, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Members of the Albany Common Council are doing the right thing by requiring the casino developers to submit a written memorandum of understanding on various issues before they approve a supporting resolution.
ReplyDeleteDue to the willful ignorance of Supervisor Langley, the East Greenbush Town Board has given the developers unilateral approval without being provided specific details of what the developers will provide to the Town in exchange.
Keith Langley's lack of negotiating skills does not bode well for East Greenbush as this process develops.
I'm not so sure about that. is this really worth the paper it's written on
ReplyDeleteRESOLVED, the Town Board joins Rensselaer County and other area communities in declaring support for the siting of a casino in East Greenbush to allow for presentation of proposals that benefit the town and its residents.
Once again, and I hate to sound like a broken record- DEFRUSCIO is the biggest FRAUD we've ever put in a position of power. He's a criminal with a criminal mind and criminal desires.
ReplyDeleteWe will all eventually feel the full impact of his mischief and interference in Town affairs that he has NO BUSINESS sticking his moon face into.
Looks like the developers have quickly realized Langley just isn't that bright.
ReplyDeleteAs usual even in the end if it was a good fit for e.g. how could we the residents get past the bull shit once again
ReplyDeleteTo 10:26 PM, The residents are in a tough position right now. The only temporary solution is to keep a very close eye on the antics of Langley and Gilbert by attending meetings and emailing FOIL requests for written information. Hopefully, after election day in November 2015, the voters will vote for a change from the sneaky and untruthful Langley way.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing how many wonderful conversations I have at Price Chopper ! Yesterday, I ran into three other concerned taxpayers while grocery shopping and there was one common theme of all the conversation: LANGLEY MUST GO !
ReplyDeleteThe man has proved he has no care for the best of EGB, nor that he listens to anyone but Chris Defruscio. Those two points make him a very dangerous Board member. As far as his being he Supervisor - that has become the laughing joke of the Capital District. People are keenly aware that he takes his marching orders from Chris Defruscio , which has basically taken away any credibility from Langley.
Best solution for East Greenbush would be for Langley to resign, and take Matter s and Dimartino with him. They DO NOT have East Greenbush best intentions and will plunder our fine town into further financial peril if left alone much longer.
You might want to throw "orders from Kathy Jimino" into the mix too, given his performance on this Casino fiasco. Totally clueless as to what is going on around him.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGilbert will remain silent on this because he has to keep peace in his family.
ReplyDeleteHe has family that are staunchly against the casino.
The driving force behind the casino is clearly Dumbfruscio and his minion puppet - Langley. Watch and listen to those two and you'll quickly see why EGB is screwed until 2015 when we get rid of both of them !
Straight up : does Langley have any idea what he's doing?
ReplyDeleteAre we content as taxpayers to have this incompetent excuse for a Supervisor lead this extremely important issue ?
Are we all going to sit back and watch Chris Defruscio tell Langley how to handle this mess that they have allowed to consume voters?
Do we all stand together and demand a special election to rid us of this elephant in the room ?
We'd all better wake up and soon !
Langley and his pal Defruscio are screwing all of us - openly and without hesitation.
SWF was/is a complete scam and we all are suffering at the hands of these political imposters. They have virtually NO IDEA what they are doing.
The most dangerous liars are those who believe they are telling the truth. That most likely explains Defruscio and Langleys arrogance.
DeleteThey are keenly aware of their political ignorance but refuse to stop acting a fool. 2015 here we come !
No doubt Defruscio is a scammer, but whats Langleys excuse ? Ignorance ?
ReplyDeleteT.U. this morning;
ReplyDelete"And no doubt officials will be under pressure to take action with the kind of speed and lack of public input we saw last week in East Greenbush,"
"We appreciate the position public officials will likely find themselves in, with casino developers dangling millions of dollars in host fees and other benefits in front of them. But secrecy has no place in a democracy. Citizens deserve to know what these projects will be and who is behind them before their elected officials endorse them in their name."
The benefits need to benefit the community at large. Our Supervisor has excluded himself as a reliable negotiator with his dishonesty,secrecy, and surly attitude. We need an advisory committee to protect the interests of the taxpaying citizens.
DeleteDon't put too much into this EG Racino. Usually anything that happens in EG FLOPS, lets face it. I'm sure something will happen in the near future that this will NOT be the site for the Racino; it was poorly planned, Langley and the TB are just "YES" people to the Republicans at the County. There's just too many obstacles and questions that need to be answered! Langley has no idea whats going on. He just sits there and prays the meetings to be over so he doesn't have to answer any questions; oh that's right; you comment, he doesn't answer. Dumber than a Box of Rocks!!
ReplyDeleteMoon Pie face Defruscio , true to his form, thinks this is all a joke !
ReplyDeleteHe sits back, laughs in our faces and walks thru Town Hall like he's Ralph Cramden !
Just remember people, he's driving the bus - straight to lake desolation !
and none of Ralph's big plans ever worked
ReplyDeletehttp://www.albany.com/whatsnew/2014/04/east-greenbush-casino-coming-soon.html
ReplyDeleteJack, I tried posting this response on the fly, but apparently he's having issues with the authorization process...so I'll try here:
ReplyDelete"Jack, I've been preaching for months about Langley, Defruscio,Gilbert, MAM and Dimartino. This entire SWF is b-s and a complete scam.
Defruscio is nothing but a petty thief ! He isn't a leader, but rather a scammer who intends NOTHING for the taxpayers of East Greenbush, only to line his own pockets and those of family and friends.
Lets just start with the debacle on January 2nd and go from there. This past organizational meeting set the tone for exactly what we are all witnessing today!
I said it earlier, the ONLY reason that Ed Gilbert has kept quiet on this casino thingy is because he's Dwights relative ~ period !
Otherwise we'd all be hearing the snide, arrogant snippets that we all recognize as the offerings of Gilbert. I'm sure you all were tired of hearing me preach and scream and holler about how corrupt Langley and Defruscio are. Well, too late.
We are all stuck with these two incompetent, ignorant, yet arrogant foolish juvenile delinquents running our fine Town directly into the sh*thole!
SWF !?! What a joke !"
Sorry 214....I checked all the "in boxes" and your comment is in none of them. Not even "spam."
DeleteI tried Don,,the verification thingy wouldn't let me prove I wasn't a "bot"....so I cut and pasted it here....I would have preferred to answer Jack there....
DeleteIf you have a flat tire, you fix it ! You don't drive around on it for four years hoping it will fix itself ! Bye~bye SWF , and not a day too soon !
ReplyDeleteOverheard this gem at Dunkin Donuts. "Stop using such big words, talk to me like you're talking to Keith Langley." That's what we have folks.
ReplyDeleteWell, the mouthpiece for our inadequate Supervisor has chosen to prove once again why he cannot get elected to any position in Rensselaer County.
ReplyDelete- Eddie Gilbert should actually proof-read his ramblings prior to sending them out for publication.
His assertion that Pete Stenson was one of the many Democrats who was "shown the door" is accurate but really Ed, elaborate on your list of "many", and at that point , we'll gladly compare notes with the utter incompetence you SWF frauds put in Town Hall at generous pay increases. Please let us all see the SWF team of inexperienced and incompetent employees that were ushered in by Langley and party leader Defruscio. Then we'll talk about how foolish your political drivel really is !
Your feeble attempt to diminish the proposed resolutions by Councilman Malone and Councilwoman Mangold shows how immature you really are. Your a political kindergartner in a grown-up Town Government who just got slapped around on the playground. The obvious cover-up by Republican leaders to withhold their political crimes and failure to usher in some form of transparency proves what a fraud this Board majority truly is.
The level of mistrust is like a neon sign pointing directly at YOU and your cohorts who are failing miserably at running our Town Government. The overspending on your choice few "friends of the party" is a clear indication of the SWF political mantra of feeding favors to defruscio friends and family. Quite frankly - giving you $3000.00 of tax dollars is a real slap in the face. Exactly what do you do for your $3000.00 except shoot your extremely immature mouth off ?
You obviously don't like Phil Malone - ok- got it . Move on ! Say something productive and meaningful , like exactly when are you SWF brainchilds going to move forward with a public hearing on the proposed Casino up near your families property .
King and court ? Explain the Defruscio mantra - ' I'm driving this bus now" . Really Ed, your a true peon in a much bigger pool. Go to the mens store and treat yourself to some real clothes. Your like some un-real throw-back into the 70's.
Dear Talks,
ReplyDeleteWould you please consider sending Times Union reporter, Chris Churchill a copy of the Ed Gilbert Advertiser letter ASAP? I'm sure Mr. Churchill would be most interested in our Deputy Supervisor's skewed view of our Nation's democratic process, particularly in the context of Supervisor Langley's own secretive and non democratic stance regarding the proposed East Greenbush casino project.
Does anyone need further evidence of the incompetence running our Town Hall ?
DeleteThe Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor, and chairman of the Republican Party are simply providing ammunition for the opposition in Nov. 2015.
Keep spewing your vitriol b~s Eddie....we starting to love your garbage more and more each day !
Chairman of the Ethics committee ? I do believe we have reason to demand his immediate resignation from the post. He clearly is NOT QUALIFIED to be in that position.
ReplyDeleteLearn your responsibilities Eddie before you go shooting your mouth off !
Your political inexperience is starting to really become intolerable.
I said it before and I'll say it again: you can be a partisan political operative or you can be a member of the Board of Ethics but you can't be both. I don't know if it's more frightening that he was appointed or that they don't get why it's wrong.
ReplyDeleteRight on target, Jack. I'll venture to say that it's worse that they don't get why it's wrong. It points to a lack of intellectual ability and a lack of curiosity. It's the inability to engage, but instead retreat to a defensive bunker - protected by barrages of profanity, consummate defensiveness and the "they did it first" excuse. They just don't get it. I hope Mangold and Malone are learning something from this too.
DeleteHis appointment falls in line with the foolish decisions of the Langley majority.
ReplyDeleteThe organizational meeting was just a glimpse into the warped game plan that Defruscio intends to force on East Greenbush over the next 20 months.
Its kinda funny, but several people have eluded to the fact the Defruscio thinks this is all just a game. I can tell you frist hand that he does indeed think this is a game and that no one is watching.
When the Supervisor surrounds himself with questionable people such as John Tirino, Chris Defruscio,Sean Mulvey and Ed Gilbert , it more or less confirms what ALOT of people apparently knew prior to November 2013.
Too bad more people did not heed the warnings. We wouldn't be in this mess if they did.
To say that some of the SWF appointments are questionable at best is the understatement of the century.
Still waiting for an answer from Marybeth Cherubino as to why she abruptly resignedher position in NYS rather than face inquiry regarding the theft of thousands of taxpayer dollars. Still waiting to hear the qualifications and justification for hiring the current comptroller when he was basically run out of Glenville.
Why was it necessary to hire Dan Fiacco ? Why was it necessary to increase the salaries of each of the Town attorneys? Why was it necessary to suddenly pay Ed Gilbert to be Deputy Supervisor?
And finally - the question of the year thus far : Does Deb Dimartino actually have an opinion on anything? MAM just confirms her inabilities when she opens her mouth, but poor Deb. Does she actually know that she's supposed to earn her position on the board ?
at least the Stuporvisor is getting OUR $3,000 worth out of Eg Dilbert
ReplyDeleteit's said it's better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak and confirm it
ReplyDeleteObviously , many of us previously knew Gilbert was a damn fool. Just peruse his dismal election results!
ReplyDeleteWhen this moron opens his angry little mouth- it just proves we were all correct in not electing him to public office.
Note to Ed Gilbert: really - STFU already ! Your a complete moron and it shows clearly enought without your stupid carrying on.
Gilbert,Defruscio,Langley,Mulvey,Tirino,Lenartz,Randy Cherubino,etc....
ReplyDeleteALL political losers or has-beens. These people are the SWF brain-trust that Don speaks of....no doubt about it !
Dimartoni and MAM are simply along for the ride- no voice - no opinion.
She was just a face to put on his political propaganda. No one ever thought for a minute that she was going to make a difference, and///she has proven alot of us correct. All show - no go !
ReplyDeleteAll hat, no cattle - the whole bunch.
DeleteCheck your mail. Now the barrage of crap from the money boys is beginning. Looks like a put-up deal from the outset. The Board should be ashamed of itself. "No confidence" in this bunch the next time around. They just want to hoodwink the people.
ReplyDeleteNothing in my mail. Tell us more.
ReplyDeleteI got the mail and found it very interesting that there were two identical quotes from Rensselaer County Executive, Kathy Jimino and none from East Greenbush Town Supervisor Keith Langley. Do you think it is possible that Keith Langley backed out of giving a quote at the last minute? forcing the Casino backers to print a duplicate Jimino quote instead? If I were part of the Saratoga Casino and Raceway group I'd be keeping a close watch on Keith Langley. Mr. Langley has a history of saying he will do things one way on Friday and then doing things the opposite way on Monday.
ReplyDeleteIf Langley and the Board had any brains at all, they'd be rescinding that Casino Resolution. Of course the pay-offs have no doubt already taken place, so they'd be in something of a pickle.
ReplyDeleteThe casino literature made it to my mailbox yesterday. They mention thousands of jobs created in the community (beyond the 1,700 permanent casino jobs and 1,700 construction jobs). Do I believe that? Hardly. But maybe they can elaborate.? Maybe my skepticism is off-base? I'd love to know what these other jobs are or if this is pure b.s.
ReplyDeleteAlso, they mention new playing fields for the community (apparently gifts from the casino). Playing fields? I hope we're not talking a mowed lawn with a lacrosse net or two on it? If this very unimpressive Administration (Supe, Dep Supe - a complete joke) and the equally unimpressive Town Board (all of them) had any brass, they would seek some real town assets - for starters a swimming pool at the Town Park and a Hockey/Skating Facility, which I would situate at the soon to be vacant K-Mart location. That's just for starters. I'd also demand annual funding to maintain such assets. If they want this EG location for their gaming site, they should be made to really pay for it. With the bad (traffic & you name it) must come the good. Any real Town Advocate would demand real quality of life improvements for the Town and the Town alone (I hope everyone gets my drift).
If they want a casino and an accompanying golf course (located with our Schodack neighbors), make them pay! And do not bow to Jimino and anyone else at the County or State level.
The casino literature reminds me of the SWF bulls*t that clogged my mailbox this past October.
ReplyDeleteWell, according to some people who claim to be in the know...its most certainly coming.
ReplyDeleteKeith Langley, says nothing .... does nothing!! The voters will do nothing for him in November, 2015.
ReplyDeletebut langley won't hold a public forum just him and his bff chris!
ReplyDeleteCapital Tonight to debut 3-part series delving into proposed casino projects - See more at:
ReplyDeletehttp://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/casino_gambling_in_nys/738194/capital-tonight-to-debut-3-part-series-delving-into-proposed-casino-projects/#sthash.Ugx2kBia.dpuf
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteI got my second casino mailer today. Still no statement from Supervisor Langleybut it does include the third identical quote from Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino. Seems the Casino folks have realized that Langley's support is a liability to the project.
ReplyDeleteLangley has been a liability to this Town since the day he took office !
ReplyDeleteWith a dingleberry like Defruscio hanging around- how can he be anything less ?
Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer is on Paul Vandenburgh's show talking about the City of Rensselaer's Casino proposal. Paul Vandenburgh just said that he has placed a number of calls to East Greenbush Supervisor Keith Langley to talk about the East Greenbush Casino proposal. Mr. Vandenburgh said that Mr. Langley hasn't bothered to return any of his calls.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to our world Mr Vandenburgh!!!
that's our Sup
ReplyDeleteno comment to anyone but DefCon
For at least the twentieth time - LANGLEY IS INCOMPETENT~ IGNORANT - and INCAPABLE of leading East Greenbush !
ReplyDeleteThe Casino process and the groups and individuals involved with it are so far over the head of Keith Langley that the Town of East Greenbush has become the laughingstock of the entire Capital Region.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteKeith Langley is the laughing stock of the Capital District
ReplyDeleteLangster isn't the only one here - we can't forget Duhfruscion is very in the middle of this as well.
ReplyDeleteLangster doesn't take a **** without Duhfruscions OK. Keith and the duhmba** are still together every day- shows how totally incompetent Keith really is! Idiots alike those two are !
Let's not let Langley off the hook for the free pile at the transfer station. At the board meeting April 16th he said he would look into why people were no longer allowed to pick up useable stuff instead of throwing it out. Well Langley its been 21 days and no response. How long does it take to call the commissioner to find out why? I know it's still not allowed because I had some little tykes yard toys my kids have outgrown I wanted to leave last Saturday but was told I could not.
ReplyDeleteJack Conway makes an excellent observation :
ReplyDelete"Jack ConwayMay 7, 2014 at 5:07 PM
There are two separate issues in play with the possible siting of a casino in East Greenbush. One, of course, is whether a casino is coming or not and how people feel about that. But there's another issue that needs to be underlined regardless of the outcome of the first issue and that's the way our town board acted to put us in this position. Even if you favor a casino you have to admit that our town board should have been transparent and in doing so might have squeezed a better deal out of what seemed to be desperate developers. Instead they rolled over without a fight (some would say without even knowing what they were doing) and without even a patronizing nod towards the right of people in town to have their say on an issue that would change this town forever.
First they snuck an entire Board of Ethics past us in an 8:45 a.m. special meeting at which no public comment was allowed. Now they've snuck a casino - a casino, for Christ's sake - past us. Go back and look at Matters and DiMartino's campaign literature and count how many times they promised open, transparent, responsive and accountable government. In just four months they've snuck - and that is the right word for it - an entire Board of Ethics and a casino by us.
Whatever your thoughts about a casino, you have to acknowledge that our town board has abused our trust and is pretty much unfit to govern. Listen to the radio, watch TV, read the local papers, they (and us with them) are the laughingstock of the Capital region."
Kudos to you Jack !
Since that ham-handed, un-studied piece of political thuggery inviting a casino to ANY site in the Town of EG passed 5-0 and will be used as a demonstration to the Gaming Commission of the Town's full support, perhaps we should advance additional sites for consideration. How about Hallenbeck Hill? How about Ridge Road? How about Werking Road? All of them have wonderful views just waiting for a high-rise hotel complete with hot air balloons.
DeleteMoon-Pie Face thinks this is all just some fantasy that will pour more tax dollars into his and his family and friends pockets.
ReplyDeleteWhen the people of East Greenbush finally wake up and realize exactly how foolish it was to allow CHRIS DEFRUSCIO to have any say in the day to day dealings of Town business, then, maybe we'll get some action.
Defruscio holds the strings that control the Langley. Take Defruscio out of the picture completely and you might see some progress.
Leave Defruscio in and reap what you sow !
Defruscio is a thief, scam artist and bold faced LIAR. He's a scumb*g to the enth degree just stealing money and services from ALL the townsfolk.
Dismissing him as anything less - your only kidding yourself !