The Times Herald Record reports: Gov. Eliot Spitzer is calling for a congressional oversight hearing to force Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to explain why he has not acted on the St. Regis Mohawk casino in Monticello. (Click HERE for original story.) “The Secretary has had all of the information he needs to reach a decision for months; yet, he continues to let the application languish,” Spitzer wrote in a Sept. 17 letter to Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee. In February, Spitzer OK’d the casino at Monticello Gaming & Raceway. The Mohawks previously cleared the other major hurdle when the Interior Department approved the environmental piece. Kempthorne still must agree to take the land into trust for the proposed $600 million casino. He has put about two dozen other tribes with pending applications for off-reservation casinos, including the Mohawks, on notice that final approval is not guaranteed.

It’s been five months since NY Govorner Elliott Spitzer gave his approval to build a casino in Monticello, and the project is exactly where it was five months ago. It seemed that everything was ready to go, but still no word from Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on whether he’ll approve the St. Regis Mohawk casino at Monticello Gaming & Raceway. According to the Times Herald Record, the Bureau of Indian Affairs completed its review more than a month ago. “Governor Spitzer has spoken on several occasions to Secretary Kempthorne, and he’ll continue to press the secretary for his approval,” Spitzer’s spokeswoman, Christine Pritchard, said. “The conversations were substantive in nature, including the governor’s explanation as to why the casino would benefit both the tribe and New York state.” Kempthorne is touring Guam and other American possessions in the Pacific. Spitzer is planning another call when Kempthorne returns this week. “The Tribe has remained confident and optimistic “¦,” the Mohawks said in a statement yesterday. “We are hopeful approval is in fact imminent.”

The Seneca Nation of Indians and a Michigan based company have an agreement to develop a casino in the Catskill Mountains region of New York, WGRZ reports. Nation President Barry E. Snyder said that the Seneca Nation has had the agreement with Rotate Black Gaming Inc. to build the region’s first major casino, 80 miles north of New York City in Monticello. “The Nation views development of a Catskills casino with the state as yet another example of a ‘win-win’ economic development, which have generated more than 4,000 jobs and $300 million in payments to the state,” Snyder said. The Nation has not yet approached Gov. David Paterson regarding this proposal, but plans to do so.  They say they are acquiring the land in anticipation of a change in national policy by the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama. Rotate Black projects that a fully developed Catskills casino will generate approximently $160 million in exclusivity fees to state and local governments.

Empire Resorts, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Sullivan County casino development partner has notified the Tribe of its intention to abandon the Mohawk’s Catskills casino project at Monticello Raceway – MidHudsonNews reports.The Tribe received a letter from Empire on February 5, 2008 informing the Tribe of their intentions to “shut down” their Monticello Development office and to immediately cease funding of necessary pre-development expenses associated with the Mohawk project. Empire has previously communicated its intent to enter into a joint venture with a competing gaming interest to move the raceway and VLT operations to a different location a few miles from the existing Monticello Racetrack. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council has determined that Empire’s notice constitutes an express breach of its gaming agreements with the Tribe and is committed to aggressively pursuing any and all appropriate legal remedies to protect the interests of the Tribe. On January 5 YWN reported (HERE) that the federal government had rejected plans for two casinos in the Catskill Mountains, saying that the reservations of the two tribes that submitted the plans were too far from where the casinos would be built, in Monticello and in the town of Thompson. The decision was a major setback in the 30-year effort to bring gambling to Sullivan County. One of the proposed casinos, at Monticello Raceway, received the support of Gov. Eliot Spitzer and was expected to attract six million visitors a year, generate 3,000 jobs and provide the state with an estimated $100 million a year. But the plans faced intense opposition……… (Source: MidHudsonNews.com)

In a move that will delay any final decision to approve the proposed Monticello Raceway casino, the U.S. government agreed this week that a decision must first be reached on the adequacy of the Interior Department’s assessment of the $500 million casino’s environmental impact on surrounding communities before the department would be allowed to take the land into trust.

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

Monticello, NY – In the wake of President Obama’s jobs summit, Thompson Town Supervisor Anthony Cellini Friday faxed him a letter urging him to remove the one impediment to creating three Native American casinos in Sullivan County, thereby creating thousands of jobs. Cellini told the President the three locations are shovel-ready and ready to go. “Only one thing stands in our way; that being Secretary of the Interior Salazar’s reversal of the Kempthorne decision that prevented off-site Indian gaming casinos,” he wrote in his letter. The supervisor told the President Sullivan County has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. “We were once recognized as the ‘hospitality capital’ of the northeast. With your immediate intervention with this policy change this is instant stimulus without federal monies.” Cellini noted Obama was at West Point earlier in the week. He invited him to visit Sullivan County “to meet with labor leaders, government officials and our residents to display to you our complete support of this important stimulus and instant gaming issue.” (Source: MidHudsonNews.com / YWN-112)

Monticello, NY – If Empire Resorts wants to continue its efforts to develop a Native American casino at Monticello Gaming and Raceway, it will have to find a new partner. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Saturday conducted a vote of its community members and the majority turned thumbs down on continuing with the off-reservation gaming project. The vote among its members was 178 “no” and 140 “yes”. The next step for the tribe would have been to seek the reversal of the so-called Kempthorne Policy, which, under the Bush Administration, prohibited the St. Regis Tribe from building an off-reservation casino in Sullivan County. Sullivan County Partnership President Timothy McCausland Monday said while he is disappointed that the tribe has decided not to pursue the project, he can respect their process. “I hope that the folks at the track can identify another partner that can come forward and become part of the tremendous support that the county, the Town of Thompson and us here at the Partnership have for casino gaming,” he said. (Source: MidHudsonNews)

KIAMESHA LAKE – The Seneca Nation, which has been eyeing Sullivan County for development of a Native American gaming casino, may purchase the entire Concord Hotel property from Louis Cappelli. At present, Cappelli’s lans include redeveloping the site for a hotel-resort conference center with a racetrack and video lottery machine gaming operation with Empire Resorts. Apparently, Cappelli approached the Senecas about purchasing his entire Concord property for development as a gaming facility. Michael John of the Seneca Nation of Indians wrote to Cappelli telling him “this is an attractive prospect and we would like to discuss this further with you when we are in Monticello next week.” Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther said a sale would be “a great partnership” between the Senecas and Cappelli. “The Seneca Nation has a lot of experience with these kinds of projects and Louis Cappelli has a lot of experience developing hotels in different parts of New York State,” she said. Sullivan County Partnership President Timothy McCausland said the “time is right with the economy turning around,” particularly with the 18 month to two year time frame in which to build such a facility. “The Senecas have and are operating casinos in New York State. Their tribal leadership and operating partners seem to be credible guys who are really energetic and enthusiastic about being here in the Catskills in Sullivan County.” County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis said with a fair amount of the environmental process completed, it would make sense for the parties to team up. “There is a tremendous amount of property along the master plan of that site so perhaps there will be a joint venture down the line,” he said. Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Larry EchoHawk will be in Sullivan County for meetings with representatives of the tribes interesting in development projects in the county as well as public officials and residents opposed to development of casinos. (Source: MidHudsonNews.com)

Five years ago Tuesday, the racino at Monticello Raceway opened with as much flair as the rainbow-colored fountains that flowed in the track’s Borscht Belt heyday. The throngs who ran to the beeping slot machines represented 40 years of Catskill gambling dreams come true, said supporters. The racino was the first step towards the full-fledged savior, a casino. The protestors standing outside said the place that touts itself as “a little Vegas in your backyard” would be the first step on Sullivan County’s road to ruin. It would clog roads and tempt problem gamblers. Today, Monticello Gaming & Raceway is neither savior nor devil. It’s a business fighting for survival. Its daily take per slot is the lowest of New York’s eight racinos — the second-lowest of all 42 casinos and racinos in the Northeast, according to the most recent Gaming Industry Observer’s East Coast Slot Report. Attendance continues to plummet, down 11 percent from last year. It owes creditors $72 million, with $65 million due by the end of next month. It does not have the money. “We do not presently have a source of repayment … and our operations will not provide sufficient cash flow to repay these obligations,” says its most recent government filing. It is, however, actively seeking solutions, including new financing. The factors that were supposed to guarantee the racino’s success in 2004 — proximity to the metropolitan area and the Poconos — are now cited as reasons for its decline, with the Yonkers racino and Poconos casinos taking huge chunks of the Monticello market. Five years after it opened, the racino at Monticello Raceway — under new management this month — is at a crossroads. It’s gambling on a couple of shots in the arm to survive: A new racino, Entertainment City at the old Concord resort, owned by its parent company, Empire Resorts. Video table games, to be installed at all New York racinos, including Yonkers and a future racino at Aqueduct. At stake isn’t just Sullivan’s decades-long gambling dream. The racino employs some 300 workers in a county with one of the state’s highest unemployment rates. It also pays some $1.7 million per year to three municipalities: Monticello, the Town of Thompson and Sullivan County. “It’s just extremely important to us all,” says Thompson Supervisor Tony Cellini. (Source: Times Herald Record)

[MidHudsonNews reports:] The NY State Assembly late Tuesday afternoon gave final legislative approval to a financial package that will pave the way for the resort that will rise out of the ashes of the old Concord Hotel in Kiamesha Lake. The Senate passed the measure sponsored by John Bonacic on Monday and on Tuesday, the Assembly carried Aileen Gunther’s bill. She talked of the many benefits of the involved when the resort, hotel, conference center, harness racetrack and racino are built. “The contribution to education form the VLTs will be at least double and 2,000 new jobs will be created,” she said. “This is a great day for the people of Sullivan County and the Mid-Hudson region.” The partnership group plans to invest $1 billion into the facilities, which will include moving Monticello Gaming and Raceway to the new site. “After 10 years of failure and frustration the champagne cork has finally popped for the Catskills,” said Charles Degliomini, Empire Resorts’ vice president. “After everyone has had a few sips, it’s time to build.” Governor Paterson has promised to sign the incentive bill, which will provide for the group to retain 75 percent of the profits from the video slot machines, up from the current 50 percent.

Empire Resorts, the company that owns Monticello Gaming and Raceway, and Concord Associates today announced plans to move the gaming and racing facility to a 160-acre tract at the site of the old Concord Hotel in the Town of Thompson. Construction on the $700 million, 1.5 million-square foot facility is expected to begin later this year with a grand opening in 2010. Under the agreement, the parties said they will develop a “world-class gaming and entertainment facility,” which will include a 100,000 square foot gaming area, convention center, hotel, golf, retail stores, restaurants and family entertainment. The gaming floor will be built within the hotel and a 5/8th mile harness racetrack will be developed next to that. Officials of this new venture emphasize that engaging in this deal does not mean Empire Resorts is withdrawing from its plans to build a Native American casino at the present racetrack site with their partner St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. In fact, Empire Resorts’ CEO David Hanlon said they have offered the Tribe the opportunity to invest one-third of Empire’s contribution to the new project. “This could be their first commercial opportunity outside their of their own reservation while waiting for the next year or two until the Kempthorne final decision is reversed by a court,” said Charles Degliomini, Empire vice president. “This is a win across the board for Empire’s shareholders and Sullivan County’s residents,” said Hanlon. “The local economy will get the boost it needs in terms of jobs and this project is expected to enhance the value of the company for our shareholders, who will finally be rewarded for their patience in waiting for the day when we can build a world-class resort and gaming complex in the Catskills.” Concord Associates’ Managing Member Louis Cappelli said the “ambitious project will create thousands of union jobs for the region and the Catskills.” He said the project will create “thousands of jobs throughout the entire upstate economy and bring the former Concord Hotel back to its glory as one of the region’s truly great convention, destination and resort hotels.” (Source: MidHudsonNews.com)

The federal government rejected plans for two casinos in the Catskill Mountains on Friday, saying that the reservations of the two tribes that submitted the plans were too far from where the casinos would be built, in Monticello and in the town of Thompson. The decision was a major setback in the 30-year effort to bring gambling to Sullivan County. One of the proposed casinos, at Monticello Raceway, received the support of Gov. Eliot Spitzer and was expected to attract six million visitors a year, generate 3,000 jobs and provide the state with an estimated $100 million a year. But the plans faced intense opposition from the NRDC and other environmental groups, and required the final approval of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. Mr. Kempthorne, who has long opposed Indian casinos on nonreservation land, said in his letters that the casinos would be too far away to offer jobs to tribal residents and that forcing residents to relocate would hurt the reservations. In a statement released Friday night, the NRDC called the decision a major victory and said the casinos would have burdened the Catskills with pollution, traffic congestion and sprawl. Representative Maurice Hinchey, D-NY who has strongly supported the proposed casinos, said proponents of the plans would not give up. “It is clear that the next opportunity for these proposed casinos to move forward and be objectively evaluated will be under a new administration by a different secretary of the interior, who under current law has the final determination in this matter at this time,” he said in a statement. (Source: NY Times)