Will Sullivan County get two casinos? Will Sullivan County get one casino? Will Sullivan County get any casinos? That question will finally be answered within the next few weeks.
The process has been flawed and bothersome since the legislation was first was introduced. The long and winding trip has been nauseating to say the least.
This past Tuesday Sullivan County residents traveled to Poughkeepsie as the Gaming Commission held their public hearing for the Hudson Valley Region. The experience was quite interesting and exciting.
The pleas made were heartfelt and meaningful as to why Sullivan County deserves to be awarded both casino licenses in the Hudson Valley.
Sitting in the room, it appeared to me that the members of the gaming commission were very sensitive to Sullivan County’s economic plight and need for resort destinations, and they will do the right thing. But, of course that could all just be wishful thinking.
If you did not attend the public hearing on Tuesday, you can still get involved.
I am asking – No – I am begging – That you email or mail your testimony as to why we need to be awarded two casinos in Sullivan County.
Please show your support of our two Casino Projects – Mohegan Sun at the Concord and Montregin.
You can email your comments to info@gaming.ny.gov or mail Gail P. Thorpe, Supervisor of Contract Administration, New York State Gaming Commission, Contracts Office, One Broadway Center, Schenectady, New York 12301-7500
All responses must be received by Monday September 29, 2014.
For years Sullivan County has been screwed in the quest to open casino resort destinations.
It was the issue of resort destinations that originally began my political activism in Sullivan County and penning “The Mouth That Roars.”
I even spent four years representing The Seneca’s and Rotate Black in their pursuit to open an Indian Casino in Sullivan County. We were so close.
For decades everyone including all media outlets and elected officials looked at Sullivan County and the Catskill Mountains as the home for casino resort destinations.
The vote supporting passage of Proposition One was stupendous and focused on Sullivan County.
Even Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to Sullivan County the day after Proposition One was passed to celebrate.
Cuomo was electrifying as he told the jubilant crowd at Bethel Woods that he was able to accomplish something for Sullivan County that no Governor before him was able to achieve in New York State.
He told the audience how resort destinations will stimulate Sullivan County’s economy. “You have workers in these facilities that are making 40, 50, 60 thousand dollars per year. These are good, well-paying jobs. And they are permanent jobs, not to mention the construction jobs that hundreds of millions of dollars in construction will bring in. So there is no doubt that there will be a significant boost to the economy.”
We can argue back and forth with what should have been and what could have been done differently in the legislation that brought Proposition One to the ballot. Sadly because of it, we are once again faced with the reality of being screwed.
Who would have ever thought that there would be six contenders in Orange County when for years they opposed casinos in Sullivan County?
Boy – Were we fooled!
We are very fortunate to have two respectful and serious contenders in Sullivan County – Mohegan Sun at the Concord and Montregin.
The original intent behind Proposition One is bringing economic development, jobs, and revitalization to depressed Counties in New York State. I can think of none more deserving than Sullivan County and it is imperative that the Gaming Commission understands this.
The simple truth is that Orange County is not depressed – It is flourishing because it has literally become a suburb of New York City. Orange County is not a vacation destination – it never was – nor will it ever be.
Orange County is filled with casino developers who are doing everything they possibly can to win a license. They are even participating in the lowest form of “Pay to Play” politics with buying off municipalities. The gaming commission must see through this unethical, immoral, and possibly illegal behavior.
Unlike other counties in New York State, Sullivan County has been fighting for Casino Resort Destinations for decades, and every elected official in New York State knew this. Out of the three regions approved for gaming voters in one do not even want them, and the other including those in the Hudson Valley region never lobbied for them.
If the Request for Application is any indication, Sullivan County must be leading the way for approval of two resort destinations.
Seventy percent of the determining factor in deciding who gets a license is supposed to be based on economic impacts such as jobs created and what they mean for the host County. Because we are such a depressed County one would assume this will benefit Sullivan County.
Even the two casinos proposed near Newburgh are not in economically depressed municipalities.
Although local support only entails 20 percent of the determining factor – the Casino Commission must understand that Sullivan County’s support for resort destinations reaches over 90 percent.
Ulster and Orange Counties must not win a bid – it will destroy the economic revitalization of Sullivan County as a tourist destination.
Ulster and Orange will benefit substantially from Sullivan County gaming facilities as will other counties in the region.
The simple truth is that Ulster and Orange do not need resort destinations for their survival – Sullivan County does.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself on National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in THE SULLIVAN COUNTY POST.