Yesterday, most of the elected officials (and several civic association presidents) for the areas affected by the proposed casino development at the Fortunoff site on Old Country Road, met at Westbury Village Hall to discuss the proposal and participate in a joint effort to oppose the site selection. Mayor Peter Cavallaro urged local elected official to join in a unified effort to fight this proposal. This uniquely important challenge for Long Island to preserve our quality of life and prevent the ill effects that accompany any gaming activity, particularly in a residential community.
The group was unanimous in terms of supporting the community, concerns, and opposing the selection of the Fortunoff site.
The following persons were in attendance at the meeting:
· Westbury Mayor Peter I. Cavallaro
· Westbury Village Deputy Mayor Joan Boes
· Westbury Village Trustee William Wise
· Westbury Village Trustee Beaumont Jefferson
· Westbury Village Trustee Steve Corte
· State Senator Jack Martins
· North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth
· Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer
· Nassau County Legislator Siela Bynoe
· NYS Assemblyman Michael Montesano
· NYS Assemblyman Ed Ra
· NYS Assemblyman Charles Lavine
· North Hempstead Councilwoman Viviana Russell
· Nassau County Chief Deputy County Executive Rob Walker (representing County Executive Edward Mangano)
· Nassau County Senior Policy Advisor and Communications Director Brian Nevin
· Westbury Water-Fire Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello
· Westbury School Superintendent Mary Lagnado, Ed.D
· Westbury School Board President Pless Dickerson, Ed.D
· Carle Place Civic Association President John Hommel
· Hedges Civic Association President Chester Barton
· Sherwood Gardens Civic Association President Joseph Cassagnol
· Carle Place School Board Representatives
· Town of North Hempstead Director of Operations Robert Troiano
· Village of Old Westbury Deputy Mayor Michael Wolf
· Village of Old Westbury Trustee Andrew Weinberg
· Garden City Mayor John Watras
· Garden City Deputy Mayor Nick Episcopia
· Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss
· Town of Hempstead Deputy Town Attorney Frederick Amorini (representing Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray)
There was a consensus among the group, representing both political parties, that the efforts to fight the casino proposal at this location must be a joint, bi-partisan effort. All parties agreed to work together to aggressively urge OTB and the NYS Gaming Commission to seek other locations and abandon plans for locating the gaming parlor at the Fortunoff site.
Rob Walker, speaking for County Executive Mangano, reiterated that the County Executive does not believe this site is suitable, and that his preferred location is at the current OTB gaming parlor in Plainview. Other potential more suitable sites include the re-developed Nassau Coliseum site as well as Belmont Racetrack. None of the alternate sites would affect residential homes to the extent that this site would, or at all.
In addition to the opposition to the site, the group expressed concerns about:
· Need for all elected officials to take a strong, unambiguous stand against the proposal, even if the site or approval is not within their legal jurisdiction or authority
· Lack of transparency in the process
· Lack of public input
· Need for a clear timeline for OTB’s decision and the Gaming Commission’s involvement
· More communication to the community about status
The group will be holding a press event at 6:30 pm, January 15th at St. Brigid School, prior to the Community Information Meeting planned that evening (7:30 pm) to express unified opposition to the site selection.
