Monticello, NY – It has taken decades to get this far, and there are still no guarantees that a casino will go up in Sullivan County.  But, key supporters, including Gov. David Paterson, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Rep. Maurice Hinchey, who gathered Monday for the signing of an historic compact with the Stockbridge Munsees, all had one assessment.

“It is the closest we’ve come,” said Schumer.

The senator noted there are key components of what is in place this time that add up to what he called “a novel solution.”

“Put together by all the parties and led by the governor, that allows this casino to gain federal approval without overturning past precedent.”

The last deal thought to be ‘close’ was scuttled by Bush era Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne.  That won’t be an obstacle, now, said Schumer.  He, and Hinchey, both pledged to lean hard on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, and current Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, to let this happen. Congressional approval is not needed, proclaimed Schumer.  

Earlier Monday, in the Tribal Council offices in Madison County, Paterson and Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Band of Mohicans, Tribal Chief Kimberly Vele, signed an agreement settling land claim, dating back two centuries.

Later, in Monticello, both signed the compact that Vele said is a huge step toward a long-standing goal.

“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 is 3,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs. That latter number, presumably, would include casino employees, and people who find work in related businesses dependent on the casino.

Several construction industry representatives were in the packed Sullivan County Legislative Chambers for the signing.

Schumer and Paterson addressed concerns raised by Monticello Casino and Raceway.  Paterson noted that that long-time facility recently announced its own $100 million enhancement.

“We will now help them with their expansion in this difficult period, such that they will be able to flourish as well.”

Schumer noted that Monticello is a different type of operation, and that competition could in the end help both.  Sullivan County, he said, would become an attractive desination capturing some of the patronage now going to Atlantic City, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Sullivan County officials are generally onboard with the prospect for a casino, but, not everyone is pleased. 

Dick Riseling, activist and co-founder of the Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development, believes a casino is far less a certainty than supporters suggest.

“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.”

Riseling contends there are an unheard 60 to 70 percent of Sullivan County residents who want no part of a casino.

Clearly not the sentiment in the room Monday.  The biggest cheers went to long-time casino cheerleader, Town of Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini, who referenced Monticello High School’s first football season in 75 years … noting it was a successful season.

“To carry it over the goal line, to bring 2,000 immediate union jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs to the Town of Thompson, Sullivan County, and the State of New York.”

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(Source: MidHudsonNews)