Game Changer – Yes! Mind Changer – Eh!

Aside:  I saw Councilpersons Mangold and Malone, as well as Deputy Supervisor Gilbert in attendance.  I did not see Supervisor Langley or Councilpersons DiMartino and Matters – my not seeing them does not mean they were not there - just that I didn’t see them. 

Also, it would have been so nice to have seen the presentation before the Town Board vote.

Last night’s Casino Presentation illustrated that an East Greenbush Casino would be a Game Changer.  Saratoga Gaming and Racing claims: 

• 1,700 construction jobs;
• 1,700 permanent jobs ($23,000 / year according to one member of the public – lots of unemployed and working poor would love that – not everyone is college material);
• $6.0 million in mitigation fees;
• $5.7 annual(?) revenue;
• Local planning and zoning; and
• Property and School Taxes - not PILOTS a la FedEx and Regeneron – it would’ve been nice to hear estimated tax payments.

The “Game” would also include the negative impacts that were evidenced in the public’s questions:

• property values;
• problem gambling;
• crime; traffic;
• police and fire safety.

All valid concerns.  All deftly addressed by the panel, but remember their job is to spin down the issues and concerns and spin up the advantages and benefits.

Interestingly, the speaker associated with Temple Farms seemed supportive of the project – he and his partner have a lot at stake.

I also found the gentleman from North Greenbush’s comments interesting – can you say Global Foundries?

Was the presentation a Mind Changer?

Probably not for the Times Union-estimated crowd of 500. 

          Casino pitched as a 'game-changer'

          By Kenneth C. Crowe II
          Published 11:43 pm, Monday, May 19, 2014
          http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Casino-pitched-as-a-game-changer-5490674.php

Those opposed are likely still opposed - nothing said would likely change their minds:

• the morally opposed reject to concept regardless of location.
• the 'locally' opposed may not object to the concept, just don't put a casino in East Greenbush  –  they're OK with Saratoga, Rensselaer, Albany, Troy – anywhere but here (NIMBY).

Those in support are probably similarly unswayed.

The wild card (sorry) are the undecided – did the presentation tip them one way or the other?  We'll likely never know.

I’m old enough to remember opposition to Off Track Betting (OTB), the Lottery and Quick Draw, aka ‘video crack’.  We as a society survived these.  The impact of a Casino is more localized, however.

I think that problem gamblers will travel to a local casino – build it and they will come – wherever it's built.

The questions:

• Would pursuing a casino be tantamount to ‘selling’ the Town for the "promise" of jobs and revenues?
• Do we have sufficient confidence in our Town Board and Planning Board to get enough concessions from Saratoga Gaming and Racing if the resolution stands and East Greenbush is chosen (Remember the Recreational Amenities Plan?  I can't find a link on the Town's web site);
• Do we have sufficient confidence in Saratoga Gaming and Racing and its claims?

Pete Stenson