No More Casinos Coalition

No More Casinos Coalition

Henrietta Town Board to oppose proposed casino

Tom Tobin, Staff writer 6:52 p.m. EST March 7, 2014

 

Henrietta Supervisor Jack Moore Friday declared his opposition to a proposed Seneca Indian casino in the town, along with three other Town Board members.

 

Moore said he will introduce a resolution at the March 19 Town Board meeting expressing opposition to the "establishment of a gaming casino in the town of Henrietta and urging those state and federal officials who have decision-making authority to deny permission for casino gaming in the town of Henrietta."

 

Philip Pantano, a spokesman for the Seneca Gaming Corp., said the company was surprised and disappointed by the announcement. But he gave no indication how the statement would affect the corporation's plans for the 32 acres of land on Clay Road it bought for $2.75 million.

 

Monday: Senecas buy 32 acres in Henrietta for possible casino

Wednesday: Casino critics overwhelm Henrietta Town Board meeting

Tobin: Senecas' land purchase raises eyebrows

 

"We were not afforded the opportunity to present a full discussion on our vision, which included millions of dollars in private investment, 2,000 good-paying jobs and countless partnership opportunities for local companies," Pantano said in a statement issued Friday evening.

 

Town Board members reached Friday said that the residents they have spoken to are worried about the impact of a casino on the community's lifestyle and on adjoining roads and existing businesses.

 

Many people, they said, feel casino gambling leads too often to addiction.

 

Residents packed a Town Board meeting Wednesday to register their concerns. The No More Casinos Coalition issued a statement this week urging the board "to immediately take action to prevent a Seneca Nation casino in Henrietta."

 

The coalition, which has financial support from Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. and Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track, said it has 1,728 names on a petition opposing the casino.

 

"I've never seen a delegation of community members so opposed to a proposal," Town Board member Rick Page said Friday. He said the board registered opposition when it had discussed the casino in the past.

 

"I can't speak for other board members, but I expect there will unanimous support for this resolution when it comes up," Page said.
 

Board member Kenneth Breese said he has talked to people in the community and gathered sentiments similar to those Page obtained.

"Among those I've spoken to, there are people who support it. But they are very few," Breese said.

Board member William Mulligan Jr. said he has received a mix of views about the casino — not all against — but that he supports Moore's resolution. "Our job as town board members is to reflect the community," Mulligan said. "And a majority of people here oppose this."

Board member Janet Zinck could not be reached for comment.

The board members said they didn't know how the Senecas would react to the resolution.
"They bought the land," Breese said. "They took a gamble, so to speak."

In his statement, Pantano said the corporation's process for siting a casino "was based on gathering community input to develop a plan that would best complement the surrounding community. We were working toward that end, but apparently will not have that chance in Henrietta."

Despite the town's response, "... ours is a vision for economic growth and job creation, and it is a vision that still fits within Monroe County," the statement said.
TTOBIN@DemocratandChronicle.com


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