The Stockbridge-Munsees are defending a state compact and settlement deal that could bring a long-awaited casino to Sullivan County, saying opposing gambling interests are trying to squash competition.
On Tuesday the state’s racinos filed a letter with Gov. Andrew Cuomo asking him to rescind support for the casinos. Empire Resorts, owner of the Monticello Casino & Raceway, joined Yonkers and the developer of a new Aqueduct casino in Queens in asking the state to urge federal authorities in the Department of Interior to stop the clock on a review.
In December, Gov. David Paterson signed a compact and land settlement deal that is under review.
“The same people who are leading the opposition to our compact, Empire Resorts, tried unsuccessfully for years to open a casino at the Raceway with the Mohawk Tribe,” said Kimberly Vele, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in a prepared statement.
“A closer look reveals that the firm selected to operate a racino at Aqueduct - the Malaysian-based Genting New York - owns nearly 50 percent of Empire Resorts. It is not difficult to see that the driving force in opposing the proposed Stockbridge-Munsee casino resort is nothing more than a desire to eliminate perceived competition.”
Vele also touted the casinos potential economic benefits for a state, saying it would create more than 1,166 direct and indirect jobs over a seven-year construction cycle and 4,900 full-time equivalent on-site jobs and 1,820 indirect full-time equivalent jobs.
“The total economic activity from constructing the casino resort: $186 million per year,” she wrote. “The total economic impact for Sullivan County and other counties in the region: $715.6 million.
The total economic impact for New York State: $925.9 million. The Stockbridge-Munsee is entirely committed to providing Sullivan County and New York State with this long-awaited job-producer and economic engine.”
<![CDATA[ .jsk-CommentFormButton{display:none;} .js-singleCommentReplyable{display:none;} .jsk-CommentFormSurface{display:none;} #ReaderReaction{display:none;} ]]>
Webmaster Forum | SEO Forum | Coding Forum | Graphics Forum
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|