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http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2005/02/10/webvote.htm
Sullivan Legislature OKs plan for 5 casinos
By Steve Israel
Times Herald-Record
sisrael@th-record.com
Monticello – At 5:24 p.m., as an orange sun set over the Catskill mountains, a new era dawned in Sullivan County.
The county Legislature voted 6-3 to approve Gov. George Pataki's plan for five Indian casinos. They all would be built in Sullivan.
The vote, before a standing-room-only crowd of some 300 cheering supporters and jeering opponents is the first step toward realizing the county's 40-year dream – or fear – of casino gambling.
State and national politicians also say it's the most important step. Without a "yes" vote, the state bill for five casinos could have died before it was introduced.
"This is the whole ball game right here," said state Sen. John Bonacic, R-C-Mount Hope, who will introduce the bill in Albany after he co-hosts two hearings that begin later this month.
Legislators Leni Binder, Jodi Goodman, Ron Hiatt, Greg Goldstein, Sam Wohl and Jonathan Rouis voted for the resolution to support the five-casino law. Chairman Chris Cunningham, Kathy LaBuda and Rodney Gabel voted against it. The vote came after a move by LaBuda to table the bill. That failed, 5-4, with Hiatt voting to table. He later switched his vote.
[more in Friday's Times Herald Record at:
www.th-record.com]
Sullivan Legislature OKs plan for 5 casinos
By Steve Israel
Times Herald-Record
sisrael@th-record.com
Monticello – At 5:24 p.m., as an orange sun set over the Catskill mountains, a new era dawned in Sullivan County.
The county Legislature voted 6-3 to approve Gov. George Pataki's plan for five Indian casinos. They all would be built in Sullivan.
The vote, before a standing-room-only crowd of some 300 cheering supporters and jeering opponents is the first step toward realizing the county's 40-year dream – or fear – of casino gambling.
State and national politicians also say it's the most important step. Without a "yes" vote, the state bill for five casinos could have died before it was introduced.
"This is the whole ball game right here," said state Sen. John Bonacic, R-C-Mount Hope, who will introduce the bill in Albany after he co-hosts two hearings that begin later this month.
Legislators Leni Binder, Jodi Goodman, Ron Hiatt, Greg Goldstein, Sam Wohl and Jonathan Rouis voted for the resolution to support the five-casino law. Chairman Chris Cunningham, Kathy LaBuda and Rodney Gabel voted against it. The vote came after a move by LaBuda to table the bill. That failed, 5-4, with Hiatt voting to table. He later switched his vote.
[more in Friday's Times Herald Record at:
www.th-record.com]