In a 5-0 vote the City Council Tuesday night voted against
the State gambling law, leaving the door open for the State to still have Saratoga Springs as #1 on their list to put in a Saratoga style Casino
after the bidder for a casino builds community relations. I’m sure the Destination Saratoga group will
bring to Albany past Mayors, Commissioners,
Supervisors and current business owners who would like to see a Saratoga style casino
placed here, to pressure them as well.
This vote holds no water with many as last year the council
(except for Yepsen, who was not Mayor) voted 5-0 in favor of expanded gambling
in Saratoga Springs and if Destination Saratoga does
indeed go to Albany
for talks, I am sure they will bring a copy of that resolution with them. The leader of the no vote was none other than
Commissioner Skip Scirocco, who if you remember pulled a circus act against
having the Racino in Saratoga when he was a County Supervisor
Regarding the casino, Mayor Yepsen has called this the issue
of the decade. While I agree, there
could be a part (b) that will be an issue of the decade and that is what will
happen to Saratoga Springs
if a casino is placed as far as 25-35 miles away? We would be crazy to think that we could keep
our same status as the destination city of NY.
A speaker at tonight’s meeting said that NYRA already owes the State $17
million dollars that it can’t pay and
without casino money the thoroughbred industry can’t even turn a profit. The Governor wants NYRA to make money without
the casino money and if it can’t, then our flat track will follow the trend of
lower attendance and handle that has happened over the last few years and then
we ask what then Commissioners? We have 2 new hotels going up now and 1 on the
board (I think) and that doesn’t count the numerous hotels built in the last 6
years. The City will have more non
occupied hotel rooms as it has empty condos. Saratoga
Springs lost its City in the Country charm years ago
and our officials can’t accept this, we are becoming an over built city with no
controlled growth (something I don’t think we ever had). We need to do something to bring more people to
Saratoga and the
flowers on Broadway aren’t going to do it.
PS: Remember 43% also have a voice and can tilt
an election.
These SAVE nuts are nothing but a bunch of whiny snot nosed snobs. Spoiled rotten no doubt their whole lives getting what they want. They have total disregard for working class people who struggle to support their families. They are delusional if they think people won't lose jobs if a casino is built somewhere else. Hopefully the Governor can see through these trouble makers.
ReplyDeleteAfter much bragging by SAVE they finally are realizing that the no vote was not against a casino setting in Saratoga but rather no against how is presently constructed. Very good chance Cuomo places it here in Saratoga anyway. Especially when this Racino is one of the highest money earners in the State.
ReplyDeleteWhen is a no a no? don't you just love it when our half baked commission form of government has too many cooks in the kitchen. Another great picture of government in action. If this NO turns into a Yes
ReplyDeleteI certainly can not wait to find new elected official here in Saratoga Springs.
Mr Cuomo had my vote, but now anyone but him will have mine. 58-39. Those are the facts jack!
When is no a no? Well, ask yourself when is a yes a yes? Last year our Council with the same 4 Commissioners and Mayor Johnson voted unanimously t0 allow more or extended gambling in Saratoga in the form of table games. Remember 42% of Saratogian’s voted to have a Saratoga style casino here in our City and that % has increased by those who voted no but have since changed their minds for fear of a nearby City getting the casino. So, yes, no or maybe, what does it all mean.
DeleteCan you show your data? I personally know very few people who support the casino expansion, and nobody who lives in the zone affected.
DeleteI can't recall the exact #s but watching election results come in Election night: Precincts closer to the site -- much higher than 58% against. Had the state law been drafted to respect host communities, the November vote should have been a done deal.
No home rule is bad. Disregarding our community's vote - and taking market value from property owners near the casino without due process - would violate the spirit of our democracy, and possibly the Constitution itself:
" A taking can occur even without the actual physical seizure of property, such as when a government regulation has substantially devalued a property... According to the Supreme Court, an unconstitutional taking consists of two components: taking of property and subsequent denial of just compensation." (source: http://www.lectlaw.com/def2/t003.htm)
I haven't seen any procedure for homeowners to be reimbursed for that ... or female assault victims or car theft victims etc etc for that matter.
So what if the Council voted in favor of it a year ago. That was Johnson-Sutton, for God's sake. Further, the past year has brought more news on property value impacts, increased crime, casino market saturation in the Northeast, job layoffs and the elephant in the room - declining performance of casinos in other areas.
Let Rensselaer build a casino, and compare the value to their community with Thoroughbred racing here. How many jobs, hotel occupancies would a casino give Saratoga, vs lost? Impossible to quantify because a TB race track has never been forced to compete with a Vegas style casino in the US before.
The game now is new casinos poach from existing casinos ... till your casino gets poached from by the next one.
The local voters have spoken. 58% against. Way more in the longstanding residential community that would suffer the impacts. It's time for the State to listen.
what data is that? the 42% can be found from the election results. I personally know many people who have changed their mind from no to yes. As far as the vote last year it was the same 4 commissioners who cast a yes vote and now voted no, Johnson voted yes and i don't think he or Sutton had much impact on the Commissioner's yes vote. Saratoga style casinos competed with TB racing for years and both did well. If the Casino is placed in the Tri City area watch our property values go down, the loss of business and conventions & concerts will have a chill in Saratoga.
Delete38% said yes. I can guarantee property values will decline quickly once a casino is sited here. Any idea how much sales tax revenue the racino contributes each year to Saratoga Springs City coffers? Not as much as you think.
DeleteOh mighty white-shirted Captain, did you put your tear-soaked white shirt in the laundry after the meeting or did you just toss it out with the trash?
ReplyDeleteI don't have a white or red shirt, just being realistic. However by the tilt of your post, don't go throwing that red shirt away, you are going to need it when they start digging.
DeleteSave Nuts! That sums it up! They are out to get rid of the casino. Next they will want to end horse racing. These people cannot be trusted.
ReplyDeleteIsn't is funny how these guys think they have won the battle when in all reality they got nothing from the council and their decision. Nothing! They will be the one's crying when the GOV places it here. Done Deal!
ReplyDelete4:29
ReplyDeleteLike you are so right.
Like, I totally agree with you dude, totally. And, like, I think horses are so totally cool, but like they are like so untrustworthy, dude.
Looks to be trouble in SAVE paradise! Many of their support group are disgruntled about not being included with planning their strategies. Typical action when fanatical groups like this try to dictate every persons thought process.
ReplyDeleteGreat article by former long time Saratoga Supervisor Phil Klein regarding the benefits of adding another crown jewel (casino) to Saratoga Springs, back in the day it was his vision that urged the BOS to place the Racino in Saratoga. Remember, even Skip Scirocco was dead set against that deal.
ReplyDeletepart-time blog administrator on duty, take heed posters, or wanna-be posters.
ReplyDeleteI've been getting ready for Spring, getting my pedicure, trimming my nails, my hair done up in a bee hive, my eyes touched up and counting my Casino chips. This is also a product of not making up stories. patience my children, there will be more, there will be more. In the meantime keep shoveling that snow.
DeleteCaptain
ReplyDeleteThe election results were
58% against
39% for casinos
4% did not vote
It has been awhile but a 58-39 equals 19%
19% equals LANDSLIDE!!!!!
Let find a new topic!
No means No!
You are right, let's find a new topic. With the 4% that didn't vote 3% figured it would pass and we would get one anyway, out of the 58% I would figure 7-8% who voted no changed their mind since the vote passed in the State and don't want to lose the casino to another area. Even some downtown business owners are starting to have doubts and want it here because of potential large loss of business if placed close by. Landslide??
DeleteYou keep hanging on to people changing their mind to help your numbers.
DeleteThe downtown business owners also had a landslide nearly 2-1.
Give it up
The VAST majority have said NO!! The only authentic way is to cast votes. That was done and your side lost...by a lot!
Admit that the normal taxpayer of the city said NO! You can line up all of the workers at the Racino and they will say YES. But most of them do not live in the city. I would totally happy to weather the storm of short term business loss, when the casino is sent elsewhere. Now that we said NO, watch the ass kissing to gain the public support needed to get a casino in Saratoga. I was raised here and we no not need it, do not want it and we will continue to grow with out it!!
I don't think the provision of the law says that the show of support has to be 99%, I think it alludes to the fact that there has to be interest in the community and 32% isn't peanuts in the scheme of things and if most of the workers don't live in the City, then don't count them in the 32%. I'm glad you would weather the storm (I am glad you think it will be short term) of business loss, especially if you are paying between $4,000.00 - $6,000.00 or more for rent on Broadway. You will have to sell a lot of dresses to make up the loss.
DeleteNice diversion, everyone knows you are a guy, or sort of.....
ReplyDeleteYou have never gotten a pedicure? Get one, you're much too anal, sort of
ReplyDeleteWhat ever you're referring 2 about Skippy won't really matter unfortunately. Regardless of what it is & how much proof u have this is how it'll play out. He will constantly swear on a stack of Bibles he knew nothing about it. He will throw everyone & anyone within his dept. under the bus. His own wife, even his girlfriend Donna if it's the only way 2 save his ass. So u had better have undisputed proof & a ton of believeable witness b 4 u make any kind of accusations against "Slippery Skip". He NEVER seems 2 pay 4 any of his crimes against us taxpayers. Remember the time card incident while he was a County Supervisor? Ask Lou Benton!
ReplyDeleteBoring Boring Boring. How about Saratoga gets a real blogger?
ReplyDeleteJust sayin too.
I'm waiting for you to start one.
Delete