Now we know how Monroe County feels about possibly having a casino
within its borders: it doesn’t want it. County Executive Maggie Brooks has sent
a letter (see below) to Governor Andrew Cuomo and the federal Department of the Interior
expressing opposition to putting a casino in Monroe, according to a press
release sent out by Brooks this morning.
The Seneca Gaming Corporation, an affiliate of the Seneca
Nation of Indians, purchased 32 acres on Clay Road in Henrietta this year to
develop a casino, hotel, and related facilities. The Seneca Nation still has
the land, though the Henrietta Town Board is officially on record opposing a
casino.
Gates Supervisor Mark Assini has said that he would welcome a casino at
the Rochester Tech Park, which is located along Elmgrove Road in the town. But
it’s not clear if the Senecas are interested.
While the local governments do not have any official say
over where Seneca casinos go, their opinions could influence state and federal
officials, who do have the authority.
The Seneca Nation’s casino plan has faced vigorous
opposition from the No More Casinos Coalition — a group backed by two area
racino operators. Former Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson has been loosely
affiliated with the coalition.
The coalition has been making the rounds, urging local
municipalities to oppose a Monroe County casino.
Due in part to that pressure, the Seneca Nation said in a
May letter that it is not pursuing a Monroe County casino “at this time.”
Brooks to Cuomo – Casino Opposition (1)
This article appears in Jul 23-29, 2014.
This is exactly the type of thing that I been talking about… over and over again. I do not care what Bill Johnson thinks as well as Maggie Brooks when it comes to Casinos, although I do like them as people; and, both have done many good things in Rochester / Monroe County.
Any group can organize and present petition signatures to any City, County ,Town or Village to let “their voices be heard”. Yet there are, in the most recent case, in Henrietta,NY the same amount of people that MAY Want a Casino in Monroe County in Gates or Henrietta.
I know the last group delivered about 1600-1900 signatures to the Town of Henrietta backed by OTB and Finger Lakes Gaming not in favor. I know there are about the same amount of registered voters in Henrietta that may want a Casino…but did not bring signatures to the recent Town Board Meeting in Henrietta. The rest of Henrietta will be “fine in whatever happens” with a casino in Henrietta, Gates or Monroe County. The real decision in power over the matter rests with The State of New York and the Department of the Interior… the process will take years. But Maggie had to have her say…just like I will have my say.
I just wanted Henrietta Town Govt ‘ to hear out the entire proposal issue, all the way to the end, giving FAIR consideration to Native Americans and ALL parties that have concern or questions. Not to run “them” out before all the facts and the process in done to the end…then make a decision. I would like that very much !!!To go over every detail in Public Forum in Gates or Henrietta or where ever in Monroe County. Maggie Brooks may want to consider trying not to influence the process as well as Bill Johnson. Neither Bill or Maggie live in Henrietta… I do live in Henrietta,NY
Bill does not live in Henrietta does he ? ( Correct me if I’m wrong ). As a County Executive, it is well known ,that she is supposed to stay out of influence in matters in Towns unless it impacts, positive or negative, all of Monroe County. Each Town has its own rules, laws, planning boards, conservation boards, zoning boards, set in place by the registered voters of that Town only. The State of New York has a full SEQRA review and more. Maggie Brooks lives in Webster.
Craig R. Moffitt
What a strange one Maggie Brooks is. First she says that she opposes ANY designation of sovereign lands in Monroe County before any study has begun to determine this. Then she says she opposes any expedited process for such a designation. Apparently, the only expedited appraisal she approves of is her own. But that is what we expect from this “leader.” Poor reasoning and lots of exceptions for herself, her husband and her circle of co-sonspirators.
I want to be charitable and say thank you to Maggie Brooks. It is one of those “hell freezes over” moments that Brooks and I agree–at least on the surface–on an issue.
Then I think more about motivations or, in this case, lack of motivation. Does the lack of motivation to support casinos have anything to do with the fact that Brooks would not be able to hand out favors/contracts/jobs in a casino project because it would be controlled by the Seneca Nation?