More Joining Bandwagon Against Casinos
Ali Touhey
A new Indian-run casino would be bad for business in Monroe County- that is the message of the No More Casinos coalition.
Sharon Dupler works at the Finger Lakes Gaming & Race Track in Farmington. She worries about what a new Seneca casino would mean to the area.
"It will not only cost us our business customers, but ultimately our jobs are at stake," she said.
Dupler is part of the "No More Casinos Coalition," a group of business owners and community leaders against any new Indian-run casinos in western New York. The group held a press conference Tuesday expressing their concerns over building a Seneca casino in the community. Former Rochester mayor Bill Johnson is siding with the coalition against that possibility.
"This is not anti-casino. What we are saying is there's enough," he said.
Currently, the Senecas are allowed to operate three casinos in western New York under a gaming compact with the state. The group fears Governor Cuomo could allow the Senecas to expand. Johnson says any new Indian-run casino in our area would only hurt the small business community and economic development, among other concerns.
"The Seneca Nation is an autonomous nation. It's not a part of the United States. So therefore, it doesn't adhere to state, federal, or local laws; and that's the real issue here. That's the big issue," Johnson said.
Both Irondequoit and Henrietta have been floated as possible locations for a new casino in Monroe County. Johnson is urging people to voice their disapproval. He says the Senecas would not be able to go into any community where there is public opposition.
"We have to host community meetings and go into these towns and villages and have an understanding of what the impact of such a development is," he said.
We have reached out to the Seneca Nation and the Governor's office for comment. Neither have responded yet. To learn more about the opposition, click here.
Sharon Dupler works at the Finger Lakes Gaming & Race Track in Farmington. She worries about what a new Seneca casino would mean to the area.
"It will not only cost us our business customers, but ultimately our jobs are at stake," she said.
Dupler is part of the "No More Casinos Coalition," a group of business owners and community leaders against any new Indian-run casinos in western New York. The group held a press conference Tuesday expressing their concerns over building a Seneca casino in the community. Former Rochester mayor Bill Johnson is siding with the coalition against that possibility.
"This is not anti-casino. What we are saying is there's enough," he said.
Currently, the Senecas are allowed to operate three casinos in western New York under a gaming compact with the state. The group fears Governor Cuomo could allow the Senecas to expand. Johnson says any new Indian-run casino in our area would only hurt the small business community and economic development, among other concerns.
"The Seneca Nation is an autonomous nation. It's not a part of the United States. So therefore, it doesn't adhere to state, federal, or local laws; and that's the real issue here. That's the big issue," Johnson said.
Both Irondequoit and Henrietta have been floated as possible locations for a new casino in Monroe County. Johnson is urging people to voice their disapproval. He says the Senecas would not be able to go into any community where there is public opposition.
"We have to host community meetings and go into these towns and villages and have an understanding of what the impact of such a development is," he said.
We have reached out to the Seneca Nation and the Governor's office for comment. Neither have responded yet. To learn more about the opposition, click here.
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