BestCraps.com

Sectors Cynical About Catskills Casino

Posted on November 27th, 2010

News Sponsored by Go Casino

Rated 5 Stars by BestCraps.com

Read Review

Visit Casino

Download Software

————————————————

The recent quest of a tribe to have a casino outside their reservation still remains in the balance despite previous efforts to make the goal a reality. It has taken decades, starting from the late 1950s for a Native American tribe originally based in Sullivan County, to settle things and construct a casino of their own. Finally, with the support of Gov. David Paterson, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Rep. Maurice Hinchey, the dream has taken strides towards becoming a reality. The three fathered with the key heads of the Stockbridge Munsee nation, a historic signing of a compact on Monday to finally settle a decades-long land dispute. With the issue settled, the state government in effect will allow the tribe, currently based in Wisconsin, to construct a casino in New York. Despite the progress, the tribe is still shaky in its position.

Senator Schumer commented, “It is the closest we’ve come.” The senator further note that there are important ingredients that has caused what has been years to resolve to finally start rolling, and thus have a “a novel solution.” He said, “Put together by all the parties and led by the governor, that allows this casino to gain federal approval without overturning past precedent.” That is because there was a deal being concocted during the previous administration which was close to being approved, but was ultimately trashed. But the senator said that what happened is past and that all previous spoiled attempts should not affect what is turning out to be a light at the end of the tunnel. He and Rep. Hinchey promised to use all the influence they have to sway federal agencies – the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, and current Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, to make the casino possible. With the local and state approval in place, the federal government is next.

Before the compact between the state government and the tribe happened, the governor and Kimberly Vele, Tribal Chief of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Band of Mohicans, signed an agreement that settles the two century-old land claim in the offices of the Tribal Council in Madison County. Vele proclaimed, “We need all of you to make sure that Washington knows that our settlement will lead to the economic revitalization of the Catskills, will provide thousands of jobs in Sullivan County and millions of dollars in revenue to the state and local government.” The estimate of the benefits this casino project will bring starts with job creation. Seven thousand jobs are projected to be created – 3,000 construction jobs and 4,000 jobs in the casino that will be permanent. That means there will be 4,000 casino employees and other workers that will have jobs connected to the casino. As early as the Monticello signing, a number of construction industry representatives were already present. It looked like they were already jockeying for position as to which company will get the lion’s share of construction jobs by making their presence felt in the Sullivan County Legislative Chambers.

At the signing, Monticello Casino and Raceway raised concerns that were answered by the governor and senator. Paterson proclaimed that the facility has announced renovations and enhancements to the tune of $100 million. He explained, “We will now help them with their expansion in this difficult period, such that they will be able to flourish as well.” The senator meanwhile, assured Monticello that they will not be severely affected by another casino to be built in the vicinity, as they are a varied kind of operation. Moreover, the senator claimed that healthy competition may just what both facilities need. In the end, Sullivan County might just be a more attractive destination because of the new attractions set to be built, taking patrons from Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City casinos.

However, there are still some sectors that claim that the project is not exactly a sure thing Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development co-founder Dick Riseling claimed, “We have a very significant chance to fight it. We’re going to stop it. I don’t think for a minute this is going to happen. I think there are … I’m certain there are tens of thousands of people in Sullivan County who are not going to let this happen.”