Opinion by Mayor Gary P. Sommers,
Village of Monticello

For more than 30 years, casino gaming has been dangled in front of Sullivan County residents as the saving grace that will bring back our glorious resort days. Numerous developers have presented attractive proposals that seemed to lack one element or another. One cannot fault residents who have grown weary of big promises from outside developers only to have the hopes of revitalization dashed away. Perhaps the most frustrating of all is how close Sullivan County has come to realizing economic prosperity.

Although casino gaming is the key element of the past resort development proposals for this area, it is clear that in order to be successful any casino must be a part of the world-class entertainment destination resort that showcases the best our area has to offer.

Only recently have I come to realize what a tremendous opportunity we have for a new resort casino in Sullivan County. I have heard all the critics and listened to all the rhetoric. Having met with Park Place Entertainment representatives, I now have a greater understanding of how committed they area.

Monticello once was the entertainment and dining hub in the county, benefiting greatly from guests at Kutshers, Grossingers and The Concord, as well as the bungalow communities. I am confident that the Village will once again, be the beneficiary of the influx of tourists. In addition, thousands of hotel rooms that will benefit our existing local hotels will be needed to handle the excess tourists not staying at the Park Place Entertainment resort.

I am sure that others have noticed Park Place's significant involvement in and presence at numerous civic and charity events in the area. I am confident that this is only the beginning of the benefits their resort will provide.

No one questioned the desire of previous casino companies to build in Sullivan County. Why should they? Sullivan County's demographics indicate that the right type of casino resort would be highly successful.

We welcome all of you!