Newburgh's Special Casino Board Meeting

I traveled to Newburgh last night to attend Saratoga Gaming and Raceway’s presentation to that Town’s Board.  Yes, the Town of Newburgh, not the City. 

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

An East Greenbush Casino?

I personally think it premature to either condone or condemn the possibility of  a casino in East Greenbush … far too little is known at this time.  

 

I’ve spent my professional career developing and analyzing budgets, policies and legislation and much prefer to have something (factual information) I can wrap my hands around and digest … to be "looking under the hood” like Ross Perot (I never thought I’d quote him). 

 

What we do know is that a scant week after the Town Board unanimously adopted "65-2014 A Resolution In Support of Proposals for Casino Sites within the Town of East Greenbush": 

·         An applicant, Saratoga Casino and Raceway, has stepped forward with a plan (which can be seen at http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20140422/details-of-racinos-east-greenbush-gaming-proposal-released);

·         Numerous articles have appeared in the local newspapers and segments in broadcast news;

·         Residents appear to be up in arms at the prospect of a casino in East Greenbush ... residents have expressed concerns that include, at the very least, lack of transparency, openness and information, infrastructure needs (roadways, sewer, water), traffic, quality of life, neighborhood degradation, policing, crime, property values, etc.; and

·         A Casino Protest Rally has been announced for 6:00PM on May 21, 2014 (http://eastgreenbushgadfly.blogspot.com/). 

Still, the unfortunate fact is that we residents know precious little about Saratoga Casino and Raceway’s proposal other than the above referenced plan. 

 

Are residents more upset over the prospect of a casino in East Greenbush or the process that has kept us completely in the dark?  

 

It's said that "information is power" but we are not powerless for the lack of information!

Should the Supervisor/Majority/Town Board have handled this differently?  Absolutely!  

 

Was Resolution 65-2014 a shot in the dark, just in case some unknown entity was interested in East Greenbush?  OR had Saratoga Casino and Raceway or another potential developer contact the Town or Supervisor Langley? 

 

In the latter case, there should have been a presentation at April 16th Town Board Meeting like the one Saratoga Casino and Raceway is presenting tonight in the Town of Newburgh! 

http://www.townofnewburgh.org/Cit-e-Access/news/index.cfm?NID=33873&TID=40&jump2=0. 

 

Jack Conway paraphrases Howard Baker and asks "what did he know and when did he know it?"  Excellent question, Jack!  Mr. Supervisor?

 

The Town Board should immediately schedule and hold a Special Meeting where representatives of Saratoga Casino and Raceway present its proposal!  Such Informational Meetings should be held frequently thereafter (at least monthly).  Mr. Supervisor, two days notice is all it takes!

 

Let’s look what we do know ... the NYS Gaming Commission’s Gaming Facility Location Board's published process (http://www.gaming.ny.gov/gaming/casinos.php):

        

·         Applicants are required to make a $1 million Application Fee payment on or before April 23, 2014 (yesterday) - it is unclear whether a Host Municipality must be identified with the payment. 

·         Applicants must also attend a Mandatory Applicant Conference on April 30, 2014 - This 10:00 AM conference will be open to the public and will be streamed live on the NYS Gaming Commission’s Web site (www.gaming.ny.gov).

·         Applicants must submit Applications* prior to 4:00PM June 30, 2014

·         The NYS Gaming Commission’s Gaming Facility Location Board is scheduled to select Gaming Facility Operators in Early Fall 2014. 

In the event East Greenbush is selected by the Facility Location Board:

·         The casino development project must undergo the complete and transparent scrutiny of our Planning, Zoning and Town Boards.  These meetings are open to the public and we should attend.

·         We residents must be vigilant in tracking development progress and demand frequent Public Information Meetings.

·         Will the renovated Waste Water Treatment Plant, expected to be completed by year-end, support a project of this magnitude along with other projects in the queue?

·         Will the developer or NYS support any other infrastructure needs?

·         Significant Mitigation Fees would accrue to the Town per the July 2009 Western East Greenbush Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (might be a good time to review the fees).

·         Perhaps a Citizens’ Casino Committee could be constituted.

Let’s not lose sight of the fact that last November’s Proposal Number One, An Amendment Authorizing Casino Gaming** could be viewed as one of Governor Cuomo’s signature accomplishments and he will do all he can to make its implementation a success.  I am sure this will include someone, perhaps the NYS Gaming Commission or its Gaming Facility Location Board, closely monitoring each casino development project regardless of the venue.  I sincerely doubt that Governor Cuomo will tolerate failure at any point.

 

Pete Stenson

 

= = = = =

 

* Applications must contain, among other things, the following: 

·         Designs for the proposed gaming facility

·         Number of employees to be employed at the proposed gaming facility, including detailed information on the pay rate and benefits

·         Completed studies and reports including:

o   Economic benefits to the region and the state

o   Local and regional social, environmental, traffic and infrastructure impacts

o   Impact on the local and regional economy, cultural institutions and small businesses

o   Cost to the host municipality, nearby municipalities and the state for the proposed gaming facility to be located at the proposed location

** Proposal Number One, An Amendment Authorizing Casino Gaming received 18,386 “Yes” votes in Rensselaer County (47.10%) compared to 17,443 “No” votes (44.69%), 3,203 “Blanks” (8.21%) and 3 “Voids” (0.01%) according to the NYS Board of Elections (http://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2013/proposals/2013GeneralElection-Prop1.pdf)

 

 

 



Not so Fast ........

"Government and business leaders in Saratoga Springs do not seem upset that the developers who hoped to build a casino in the city are headed to East Greenbush instead. Do you think it will come back to haunt Saratoga Springs?" 

This was the  question posed in  todays  TimesUnion.    Actually,  is East Greenbush prepared to tackle this issue.  It seems as though Langley is blind-drunk on this.  He thinks its going to be a  "cash-cow"  for  East Greenbush.

April 16, 2014 Town Board Meeting Pre-Board Agenda

The following resolutions appear on the April 16, 2014 Town Board Meeting Pre-Board Agenda ... sponsored by Councilperson Mangold and seconded by Councilperson Malone.

You can view the Agenda and complete text at http://eastgreenbush.org/downloads/cat_view/48-town-board-agendas

65-2014 RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE OPEN PUBLIC PRIVILEGE POLICY OF THE TOWN OF EAST GREENBUSH TO SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETINGS

66-2014 RESOLUTON TO RECORD MINUTES OF PREBOARD MEETINGS

67-2014 RESOLUTION FOR REVIEW OF ALL NON-PAYROLL EXPENDITURES AND CHARGES ON A MONTHLY BASIS

68-2014 RESOLUTON FOR TIMELY SUBMISION OF RESOLUTIONS

Make your support for these Resolutions known at the Board Meeting!