Spring 2001 Newsletter
Dear Members and Supporters:
After a quiet winter with very little happening on the gambling front, spring has brought on a flurry of activity regarding casinos in both Canada and New York State. Our officers and trustees have met regularly over the winter to monitor the situation and we have the following report to bring you up to date on developments. The situation is changing constantly however, so we suggest that you check our new web site for ongoing developments.
We have some good new and some bad news to report. These will be followed by an analysis of these developments to try to put them into perspective.
THE BAD NEWS:
Thousand Islands – New York State:
We have received the business plan of Nevada Gold and Casino, Inc. for their Blue Diamond Resorts development on Wellesley Island. It focuses on the possibility of an Indian-based casino to provide the “central attraction for Blue Diamond Resorts”, with supporting hotels and marinas. They describe their plan as the “completion” of a larger development begun in the 1980’s (the Jack Webb development). The plan “anticipates the potential for two distinct hotel developments to serve the casino market” . . . and a “marina on the Lake of the Isles with the potential for 350 boat slips”. This development plan has been submitted to the NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation as part of their application for permits to start development. So this must be taken seriously.
Thousands Islands – Ontario, Canada:
The site for the new Canadian Casino that will be operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission (OLGC) has been chosen. It will be located just outside Gananoque where Hwy. 401 and the Thousand Island Parkway meet. Ron Barbaro, the OLGC Chair and CEO said, “By locating . . . close to the 401 and Interstate 81 we have chosen a site that holds the greatest potential to maximize charity casino revenues and tourism visitation.” A group of concerned citizens in the Gananoque and Leeds and Thousands Islands townships, Casino Watch, is calling for a comprehensive “Before” study of the surrounding communities, including those in Upstate New York, so an accurate comparative survey showing the impacts of the casino can be developed later. Such a “Before and After” study would provide invaluable data on the social and economic impacts of casino gambling for future use in decision making. We are of course disappointed that this facility will be built at all. But, now that it is, we hope this kind of comprehensive study will take place. We continue to support all the efforts of Casino Watch.
THE GOOD NEWS:
The Lake of the Isles Protection Association (LIPA) joins the fight. This organization has been active since the mid-1980’s and is dedicated to the preservation, protection and improvement of the resources and beauty of the Lake of the Isles. David Martini, the president of LIPA has written to the NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) raising issues of the impacts of a casino development on water quality, wetlands habitat, wildlife and fishery and the scenic shoreline. They are calling for a full four-season environmental impact study and open public hearings before any construction begins. They are furthermore calling for the DEC to act as the lead agency in conducting this environmental review. We welcome them to the fight and endorse their concerns and efforts, especially in light of Nevada Gold and Casino’s plans for a large marina in the Lake of the Isles. Such a marina would almost match the extent and impact of the marinas near the TI Club on the American channel.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Joseph C. Teresi ruled, in April, that the Governor lacks authority to enter into tribal gaming compacts without legislative approval. This ruling is a victory for anti-casino groups. The ruling will not affect the two Las Vegas-style casinos currently operating (Turning Stone Casino in central New York and the Akwasasne Casino on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation).
ANALYSIS & ACTION:
Nevada Gold and Casino, Inc.’s development plan is backed up by demographic data that is both inaccurate and incomplete. It ignores competition in the gambling market and makes no mention of seasonal population changes or potential bad weather affects. It states that they own 15,000 feet of shorefront, which is a gross exaggeration (it is closer to 4000 feet, as the crow flies). NOcasino is currently gathering accurate information to rebut these claims and plans to get this information to the management of Nev. Gold & Casinos, Inc., their shareholders, other potential investors and the media.
While the NY State Supreme Court’s decision is great news, it will be appealed up through the courts and a final ruling will be sometime off. And, there is still the possibility that the legislature will pass legislation that will allow a casino or casinos to be built. (A reminder that we must write our elected representatives) This is what has happened in the Ontario legislature and is the reason we will have a new casino in Gananoque.
In the big picture casino earnings are up. It is big business and it is very profitable. We will have to remain dedicated and committed to stopping a casino development in our area. This could be a long and expensive battle. The consequences are enormous for our economy, our culture and social well being, and for our environment.
We now have:
• 1,200 members and supporters who have sent donations and signed petitions. Please keep them coming. They will be crucial in swinging state and federal politicians. If you need more petitions, please contact the NOcasino office.
Your support and action is critical. Please continue:
• Writing and expressing your opinions to representatives locally, in Albany and Washington.
• Registering to vote in this area.
• Educating yourselves, your friends and neighbors
To assist you in these efforts, we again enclose a list of names and addresses of key legislators and important points you may want to include in your conversations and correspondence.
Finally, please log on to our web site whynocasino.org. It is very complete and easy to use. It has numerous links to other web sites (including Canadian sites) and more information on who to write and how to present our case.
Thanks again for your help and support!! Steve Taylor David Garlock