TRR photo by David Hulse Legislative Chair Rusty Pomeroy, left, is pictured with Park Place Entertainment Vice President Chuck Miller following the Legislature’s August 16 meeting. (Click for larger image)

County affirms casino pact

Resolves support for federal application

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO — Sullivan County approved the dowry and signed the marriage license with the St. Regis Mohawks-Park Place Entertainment casino plan at Kutsher’s Country Club.

At its August 16 monthly meeting, the Sullivan County Legislature adopted two resolutions. The first, an acceptance of the August 10 Memorandum of Understanding with the Mohawks, which provides in part, $15 million in annual payments to the county, Town of Thompson and other impacted communities.

Observers of these agreements reportedly have characterized the payment package as extremely generous.

The Mohawks’ old 1996 Monticello Raceway deal with the county and town provided each with $2.5 million annually and was patterned on a 1995 agreement with raceway predecessors, the Oneidas.

The second agreement was a formal resolution of support to accompany the Mohawks’ application package before federal regulators. One of the primary criteria for Bureau of Indian Affairs approval is support for the casino from the host community. Federal approval will include ceding the 66-acre Kutsher’s Sports Academy site to the federal government in-trust, on behalf of the tribe.

New York State approval of the project is still hinging on litigation and politics. Governor Pataki is fighting a court challenge to his power to enter into compacts with the state’s tribes, such as the compact creating the upstate Oneida casino and another proposed in Niagara Falls for the Senecas.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver reportedly is holding the Seneca casino hostage for Pataki’s approval of a Catskill casino.

The voting in Monticello was eight to one in favor of the two resolutions, with Chris Cunningham (DC-1) providing the sole opposition. Cunningham said he appreciated the work that had been done to complete the agreements, but said he could not support them.  “I believe the county is making a terrible mistake… I believe a large group, maybe a majority [of residents] do not agree,” he said.

Cunningham called for a state-mandated, local referendum.