This is a shame. Guess I'll just keep going and spending my money in Niagara Falls. Plus NF needs the jobs & money more then Buffalo does.
This is a shame. Guess I'll just keep going and spending my money in Niagara Falls. Plus NF needs the jobs & money more then Buffalo does.
Would you like to know why this is a GOOD thing? Especially for a city with no other major attraction. Like I said in the other thread - the Falls has, well, THE FALLS!
http://www.noslots.com/Aborn_Crime_Gambling_study.pdf
exactly potato! There are already 5 casinos in the area, anyone from Buffalo who wants to go is already going, they do bus trips from the Kmart parking lot for crying out loud.
Since they are already gambling, why not let them do it in our city and let Buffalo get a cut of the action.
If you don't want to gamble, dont go. simple enough.
New York State Constitution states gambling is illegal. A statewide referendum in 1990 supported that.
Our elected officials only had to put the issue to a vote in 2000. They chose to try subterfuge to get gambling into the state. All they had to do was put it to a vote of the people. If the people voted to make it legal, then everyone would have the opportunity to open a casino and pay taxes and follow regulations.
If you don't like the decision ask your elected representatives to get the issue on the ballot. Or you can now join the Senecas in an appeal.
The tragedy here is that several buildings of real character and history were lost - now perhaps to no end. By claiming to be sovereign territory, the Senecas claimed that environmental and preservation laws didn't apply to them, so they bought buildings and swung the wrecking ball with what they thought was impunity - and even scattered pollution on their neighbors downwind (remember that?). They tore down the HO Oats complex, which had been previously owned by a developer intending to convert it to loft housing - which would have been real development. When the Buffalo News asked Barry Snyder if he would at least meet with the preservationists, he said, "no." When asked why, he said, "because I don't have to."
That kind of arrogance took the Senecas a long way in Salamanca and Niagara Falls, but in Buffalo they ran into a perfect storm of civic heroism. Progressive groups - fiercely protective of their city - joined forces to form CBB. Savvy attorneys got involved. Local foundations courageously footed the bill. The Buffalo News and ArtVoice dissected the project, and provided western New York for the first time with investigative exposes of the internal (and mob-like) workings of the Seneca Nation's development operations. Even this funny-looking kid from Rochester got involved, first by joining in the protest against the demolition of the HO Oats complex, and later by joining one of the progressive groups that was part of the CBB campaign.
Seeing Buffalo's progressive activists in operation is a wonder to behold. They don't win every time, but always fight the good fight, taking on issues like the boulevard, commercial slip, Bass Pro, the expansion of the Peace Bridge Plaza, and historic preservation. I deeply admire and love the fine folks who sacrifice and risk to fight these high-stakes (pun intended) battles, and the fine city and community they fight so hard for.
Congratulations CBB!
This is ridiculous! Why aren’t these decisions made early in the process? And what has this CBB (Citizens for a better Buffalo) done to make anything better here in Buffalo? They’re just keeping this area down by postponing this so late in the project. Some jerk on the news said that poor people will be gambling so much that they won’t be able to buy notebooks for their kids schooling. I’ve got news for them, people who want to gamble are gambling already, it’s called the Lottery. There are about a hundred different scratch off games at every corner store threw out WNY. Isn’t that gambling?
1. The timeline of "the process" was set by the Senecas. They chose to start building despite an active lawsuit. Oops -- their fault.
2. Citizens for a Better Buffalo has done something to make things better -- they've stopped the casino. That's why they were formed.
3. Lotteries are gambling. If I had my way, they'd be gone. But their existence doesn't mean that every other form of gambling is ok.
Good news for Buffalo, casinos bring many more negatives to a community than benefits. Working in Niagara Falls for 10 years I saw not only the lack of any spinoff developement but also the closing of existing business. Most people control their gambling but I knew many who lost their paycheck, spouse, and even their home. In the end we all pay for the profit of a few. Buffalo can't afford to ship our dollars out, we need to spend them here and support the very business establishments that a casino would threaten.
I dont like ART, so I'm starting a group to shut down the ART musuem. I dont like animals so I'm starting a group to shut down the ZOO. Neither of these have helped with Economic Devolpment and I know they dont bring in droves of tourists. They are only visited by locals. They take away from the local artists and animals. I can also tell you they dont create 1000 jobs or give ANY money back to the city and county much the opposite. Ohhh this would really piss off you liberals!! P.S. This decision will be overturned without a doubt. It effects people in other citys other then just Buffalo. Once they hear of it the voice of reason will prevail. People in other citys get things done!
Does anyone know whether this legal decision impacts the other 2 casinos already in operation? It seems it would make gambling on those site illegal as well...
So, a group of people have decided upon themselves to make Buffalo better? What god given right do they have to decide what others may want or what is or is not best for Buffalo? did they take a pole? get elected?... or now that no hotel is going up on Elmwood and the Gates circle condo tower WILL happen, they are moving on to yet another project to keep them occupied while the migratory patterns of birds are being decided for the new peace bridge?...And Collin, other than no casino and no scratch tickets, is there anything else you would like to see gone simply becouse you don't agree with it?
Buffalo... the place where good things go to die.
This is a joke!
$333 million development in Buffalo goes down the drain because a hand full of people don't want it.
I hope the Senecas decide to put in gas pumps and smoke shops on the site.
What a shame.
potato --
"I dont like ART, so I'm starting a group to shut down the ART musuem. I dont like animals so I'm starting a group to shut down the ZOO."
Except that you're not. Brilliant analogy, though.
martin --
1. These people are citizens and have certain rights before the law. If they had no standing to file suit, their suit would have been dismissed long ago. They have no obligation to consult with you (or anyone else) before they act.
2. Everyone else has exactly the same rights. If this issue is so important to you, nothing was stopping you from forming your own group or filing your own suit. It's a bit ridiculous to blame people for exercising their rights.
3. Yeah, there are plenty of things that I would change or get rid of if I had my way. I won't apologize for that -- why should I? I have my opinions, and I advocate for them. Sometimes things go my way, and more often they don't.
There are obviously things that you would "like to see gone simply because you don't agree with" them, as well. Lawsuits to stop casinos would seem to be near the top of your list.
The casino isn't a good thing. And it "went down the drain" because it violated the law.
The problem is that people who hire attorneys to force their issue have one thing that the rest of dont. MONEY to hire attorney's. This lawsuit has cost them over $1MM.
It "went down the drain" because a small group of pin heads decided to sue.
Unbelievable! The beat goes on.
Whoever said it - Thats a great idea. Let them open a gas station and smoke shop. I hate driving all the way out to the res. T
MAJOR CORRECTION: Skretny did not rule "against the Senecas." The Senecas were not among the defendants, although they did file amicus briefs.
Here's who Skretny ruled against (clipped from the ruling):
PHILIP N. HOGEN, in his Official Capacity as Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, the NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, and DIRK KEMPTHORNE, in his Official Capacity as the Secretary of the Interior, Defendants.
onestarmartin: "So, a group of people have decided upon themselves to make Buffalo better?"
Actually the entire state of NY voted to keep gambling illegal. So are implying that you are against democracy???
So having an entertainment venue with 200 suite hotel that will bring people into the city for weekends and during the week is a bad thing? Seneca Niagara is opening another hotel because capacity is always full, that is another 100 or so employees. No one makes any sense on here, we want people to live in the city and move back into the city, but have waited 50 wiht nothing to show, . Someone wants to create 1100 good paying jobs with health benefits, these people will need a place to live and eat and be entertained. It is far enough from the heart of the city, theatre and clubs, its is like adding another feature to the city, another draw, another reason to maybe head down to the city from the suburbs.... It will happen I have no doubt about that, just wait and see...
This is only 1 battle of what will be a long war. Its not over. It really seems that the majority is for the Casino. We should make our voices heard somehow. F.Y.I. - The tenmporary casino has drawn over 400,000 people to downtown since it opened in July 2007, how could any body argue with that!!!!!
Sorry, I was busy lookin for the rightess born again tent gathering. So, this group has inside info on what impact the casino would of had on this over-employed city? Yes Collin, I am and will always be pro casino, more for a better skyline when I'm on my boat more than anything else. I don't gamble, do not buy lottery tickets, but would like to see a massive private development happen in this city without my tax dollars as they are too busy supporting the East side. Yes, I would of gone to the casino, probably taken out of town guests also as well, it is only 9 acres in a city of massive brownfields, homes being pulled down by the mayor etc. Why's this "group" think people would not visit the FLR property's, go to the Buffalo Chop house and then throw some coins down a slot machine? [yes, some losers would just do the casino night after night, I do admit to that]. The shear arrogance of this little group astounds me, like on tonights news when their lawyer said "now the future poor patrons can buy school supplies for their children"...damn, where'd that come from? [love a good sparing match btw]
Three predicitions:
1) The "temporary casino" stays open as this goes through appeals, for years. And construction on the new place continues.
2) Byron Brown, Chris Collins, or someone, successfully pushes a bill through the state legislature to legalize casino gambling just this once on this one piece of property. The legal hurdles are knocked down.
3) Colin gets disappointed again when things don't go his way in the long run.
kooks - not overdramatic. When people try to paint this as a small group of people dictating to everyone else that we can't have casino's... when the reality is that NYS referendums have given all residents a vote, and they voted No. The reality is that a small group of politicians and Indians have made the decisions without any input from the voters of NY.
300miles...can't be the entire state. As ya'll are claiming, it's locals visiting the casino, not the out of towners. maybe times have changed or the people...[I can see some Spaulding Lake "Poodle" voting against gambling, but heading to Vegas as so many people do...lol]
Anyway - I'm not even anti-casino. But I'm against the way our dumbass State pushed this agreement thru illegally, and Buffalo is getting very little in return. Hopefully, however this all plays out, Buffalo will end up with a much better deal.
onestarmartin- Don;t you know where your tax dollars really go? The big money goes to support sprawl, at the expense of the very people you denigrate.
unfortunate for sure. especially for the 12+ friends I have that were/are employed by the temporary casino. these are seniors who needed some additional pin money to keep them going.
what has lippes done, along with his gang of monkeys known as the cbb, to preserve or save important buildings? nothing, not a frigging thing. now, they have added to under- and unemployment. thanks, you rich bastards!
The argument that "if a casino opens, then poor people will for sure gamble all of their money away and become addicted" is like opposing a new bar opening in the City because it's patrons might drink their money away and become alcoholics. Come on - it is a lame argument. No one can predict what people will do. If arguments are based on standing law or case precedent - then OK.
I encourage everyone who has an opinion (either pro or anti) to go check out the casino in Niagara Falls and spend an hour or so there (if you haven't already). Walk around, get a drink, play a few slots or watch othersp laying the slots. You can read study after study but I personally believe it is not possible to form a valid opinion without actually seeing what goes on in the casino. I went to the Niagara Falls casino a few months ago for an event. I had one opinion about a casino coming to Buffalo when I walked in, and the exact opposite when I left.
martin --
"Yes Collin, I am and will always be pro casino, more for a better skyline when I'm on my boat more than anything else."
Well, it's good to see that you've thought so deeply about the question.
"The shear arrogance of this little group astounds me"
I don't get why it's arrogant for citizens to take an active interest in their city, and to try and stop it from making what they see as a terrible mistake.
Thank God. Go spend your money at a business that plays by the rules... You know the ones that have to deal with those pesky taxes, insurance, building codes, ADA, Family Leave and all the rest of the crap the Senecas can ignore.
To those looking at our city from afar, this decision just solidifies the thinking that this is not a place to invest. Whether your a foreigner with some vision that gets caught up in union entanglement, a designer with a dream for a bridge that can't coexist with a certain bird, or a tribe that wants to invest real money, there's just an inability in this community to see a project through to completion.
With a national economy in a tailspin, and jobs at a premium, this would seem like a self serving suit by a few that can afford to see the status quo through the few final years they have left.
Prodigal --
"3) Colin gets disappointed again when things don't go his way in the long run."
Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last time.
Badash --
"what has lippes done, along with his gang of monkeys known as the cbb, to preserve or save important buildings? nothing, not a frigging thing."
They're not a preservationist group -- why would they have saved important buildings? Your complaint makes as much sense as criticizing Jason Pominville for failing to score any touchdowns last season.
The South has grown ten fold because there isnt the annoying red tape that there is here. Large companies dont invest here because they dont want to deal with the bullshit, this is just another reason to back up all of the movement out of here. Its because these yip yaps are miserable old ............ that only want it there way..... 1100 jobs, world class hotel and entertainment venue, plus gambling, that sounds bad to who?
Its not like we are Detroit who thought the answer was to live and die with the casinos, its just one casino to add to the flavor
Colin, the arrogense is in the statement of saving the poor people of Buffalo, I also feel a 1000 jobs are pretty darned ipmportant in this city which happens to be one of the poorest in the country.
benfranklin- Do you think maybe people are just tired of being burned and have become skeptical of the false promises that mega developements promise? Small business is what makes a community strong and creates real wealth for the citizens.
You need big business to bring in people to support small business, unless you want small business owners to live in poverty as do most of the small business owners in the area... Most cant stay open on our busiest streets, ie elmwood, delaware because there arent enough people here to spend money, So I believe in small business, but they cant be sustained by other small business owners only ..
blackrocklifer, too much of our small business is locally focused. Business A opens, just to take customers from business B. Business A lowers prices, business B lowers prices, profit decreases, both businesses close. Six months later business C opens, and the cycle continues (I've been A, B and C... and it's excruciating)
I'm all for small business, but we need more entreprenuerial efforts that create new markets, new demand, that can draw dollars from outside the community.
I'd prefer 200 small businesses employing 5 people each over a casino employing 1000 people, but I didn't see that option on the ballot.
ben- casinos have a record of displacing small business, taking dollars out of the community.I watched this occur in Niagara Falls, working for 10 years in the area directly adjacent.
The convoluted breaking of the U.S, Constitution and imposing a foreign entity for gambling purposes from day one has been the best that the brain dead opportunists could come up with for Buffalo.
Massive thefts from Catholic Churches by degenerate gamblers are like gambling over the robe of Jesus Christ on Golgatha. There has never been any reparation for the thousands that was meant for the poor and the sick.
Collins to Masiello are pawns and stooges of the casino industry like the government of Chicago was under Al Capone.
The pathetic lament of losers who want to impose a foreign government on Buffalo for nickels and dimes on the dollar are like the Tories who went along with the British during tjhe American Revolution. The sillyness that tells people from Buffalo that if they get harmed in the USA in downtown Buffalo in a casino that they have lost their constitution rights to due process are a sham.
I'm sick of reading chicken hawk blogging and corrupt go alongers who are the night of the living dead on Buffalo.
At least a judge could see the utter rediculousness of this nonsense that from day one subverted our constitution.
I take our constitution any day over the collaborators of the greatest wrong ever perpetrated on the people of Buffalo in the history of this city.
Shut this abominatoin down today.
Bring in the New York State Police, or the National Guard or the U.S. Army and shut down this occupation of downtown Buffalo. It is against the law as of today.
If people of the State of New York and Buffalo want gambling so bad in downtown Buffalo than change the New York State Constitution otherwise give it a rest. Buffalo is not a Seneca Reservation. Casino gambling is illegal in N.Y. State. The courts have spoken. Obey the law and due process of our country.
Perhaps it takes a judge to realize you can don't always have to settle for the lowest common denominator when making planning decisions for your city. Keep the fight up. We don't have to be the city of clowns.
Niagara Falls was dead long before the casino blackrock, dont kid yourself.....
Here was my thought on this, they were going to put it in Cheektowaga so I thought at least if your going to build in put it into the city. Now will I ever go there no I doubt it , I have no interest in Casinos but do I know people from the burbs who will roll in go to a Sabres game then to the Casino or go out to dinner and then hit the casino?? Yes! I feel like it can only help us attract more people to our core area and strengthen that urban core.
Here was my thought on this, they were going to put it in Cheektowaga so I thought at least if your going to build in put it into the city. Now will I ever go there no I doubt it , I have no interest in Casinos but do I know people from the burbs who will roll in go to a Sabres game then to the Casino or go out to dinner and then hit the casino?? Yes! I feel like it can only help us attract more people to our core area and strengthen that urban core.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS MESS becaiuse the do gooders/special interests prevented a referendum to allow govt sponsored or private industry that is taxed like any other business enter into casino gambling! The catholic church did not want to lose their bingo revenue..which took a big hit anyway, only to be even futher diminished by the anti smoking laws.The state did not want to lose their honeypot of revenue from the lottery that is regularly pilferred for other pet projects. WE ALL ARE TO BLAME..we allowed our elected officials to tell us what is right for us and prevented us from using our voice (referendum)in choosing what was right for NYS . Until the voters wake up and put people in office that are sensitive to our needs instead OF THE OLD SHELF EXPIRED CRONIES WHO SUCK OFF THE PUBLIC TEAT, WE WILL NEVER PROGRESS!! NYS has surely deserved its title for the worst state in the nation...and it's citizens have to be the most naive and exploited in the union!!
scandy- Niagara Falls is not "dead" just down. And the area around the casino was poor but had many small business's and few vacant buildings pre casino.
If New York Sate wants gambling than do it like Ontario,Canada and keep the profits in our country and not in some fabrication in our city.
Gambling can no longer be legitimized as a way to attract people from far away to our city. This was the premise for the three legged economic monstrosity from day one. Now with the proliferation and spread of gambling to and fro it has become like the inner city convience store that sells bad products to the community and takes adavantage of the poorest, least educated, and the addicted gamblers.
Please consider how currently the corrupt gambling industry is pushing Columbus, Ohio for casino gambling and a very large corporate employer has threated to leave that city.
Today Buffalo was blessed as it will be when Bush is gone from office. Laws and the constitution of this country were broken fast and furious for selfish interests..GO TO HELL ABRAMOFF!
Put people in office who worry more about the people of the United States and Buffalo before we worry about the Senecas. The no do gooders are those who have forgotten and abadoned their country and their constitution for gambling.
Recently, 3rd street has seen new life and there has been some developers buying property around Niagara Falls, o it has taken time, but there seems to be a bit of trickle effect....
The Wendt Foundation should have their foundation status yanked for funding this folly of a suit and somebody should try and catch Lippes during the day a put a stake through his vile little heart.
well i'm so glad that they have made their minds up about gambling, i guess that means everything else will have a negative impact. How does that not sound like a lack of innovation?
Knowing that gambling is bad is not the same as seeing opportunity, even if the premise is bad. The history of the movie theather is something this city could learn from. We are still a drive in city and i am tired of these bad projects having abusive boyfriends. Not everything can possibly be wrong with this investment. Im thinking of the casino as a place to ditch my car(kind of like nj) while i mess around on the rail. is it possible that this casino could actully bring more conveniences? Most of what makes this city great is already in the suburbsI it might have been a gamble that the suburbanites would have taken.
If I wanted to sue to stop the sun from rising tomorrow, I'd hire Richard Lippes. He genuinely loves obstructing everything.
Lippes is a profile in couage for standing up to this abomination.
The people who disrespect him are anti American. They care more about gambling than they do for the constitution that thousands fought and died for.
Gambling was an impoverishment scam for Buffalo.
Go to Las Vagas and tell them they need a native American reservation in their city. God bless America.
If anybody gets hurt in the casino running illegally in Buffalo hire the best lawyer in Buffalo and exercise your rights to sue a business in Buffalo that harmed you.
Take down that dam Seneca flag flying over Buffalo. We have our country back from corrupt politicians and the collaborators for casino gambling appeasement.
'Most of what makes this city great is already in the suburbs.' Really? Which mall would that be?
impressingagent- "Most of what is great about this city is already in the suburbs' HUH? I don't think so
lol thanks for reading my crap. i was not really happy with it so i threw that in there. i guess i have been struggling with how to suggest that the casino might draw a lot of interest from the suburbs and that it would be really great for the city. some how they have to connect the casino to the city. i am not giving up on the project because i believe that is one aspect that has been shrouded in gambling pro or con.
Former attny gen Dennis Vacco was on WBEN this evening. He pointed out that this ruling only covered class 3 casino's which is like the one in NFNY. He also pointed out that by virtue of his other ruling that the land is sovereign both Class 1 and class 2 gaiming is allowed. Class 2 gaming is what the Turning Stone Casino in Verona. So should the Seneca's decide to go ahead they can open up a Turning Stone Style Casino with VLT's instead of slot machines without overturning today's ruling. My guess is that that is why they did not halt construction. They can open as a class 2 and move up to a class 3 once they either win the appeal of ge re approved by the Federal Government.
The following is most disturbing to me: "The City of Buffalo is not a party in the federal lawsuit. According to initial legal analysis, the judicial review process will continue and the city remains committed to receiving 100% of the estimated $5-$7 million a year in revenue as the host municipality to the casino." How much additional cost to the City for social services because of the Casino? Is it Mr. Magoo or Erkiel.........or Steve Casey. Regardless of one's view of the casino, this quote by a Mayor is endemic of what is wrong with the City. Quality of life emanates from performance not epistles.
So when is Lippes et al going to file their suit against the Buffalo Raceway slots? Or is the truth that they are a bunch of bigots?
hahaha exactly paul. lol :) imagine if we could fool people into thinking it was a mall? off ramp parking and then build some kind of metro station with a destination map and information center. maybe i just miss being lost in nyc. Though i do feel like this casino has room to take on extra responsibility.
This is great news. It doesn't make sense to have a piece of sovereign territory in the middle of the city.
If we want to have gambling, let's change the constitution. The city would make a lot more money if we had a tax paying casino, that played by the rules that the rest of us play by.
The Senecas lost my vote when in response to a question about why they weren't trying to save the grain silos on site, their response was "Because we don't have to".
I hope all you stuck-in-the-past, don't care about the future hippies are happy. You begged and pleaded to preserve the most disgusting, decreped and decayed part of an already behind-the-eight-ball city, and although your prescious rat-infested grain silos are gone, so (tentatively) is a 333 F'ING MILLION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT!!!!! GET WITH THE PROGRAM. GAMBLING IS EVERYWHERE IN WNY. HAMBURG, NIAGARA FALLS, OTB's EVERYWHERE!!!!! WHO THE F CARES IF IT'S DOWNTOWN!!!! BUFFALO NEEDS TOURISM, BUSINESS CONVENTION AND ANYTHING IT CAN GET IT'S PAWS ON!!!!
This city and it's political BS can go F itself. I've lived here for all of my 27 years on earth and can quite honestly say I am cannot wait to get out and enjoy life somewhere that isn't stuck under the strong-arm of pussy-foot losers that can't pull their respective heads out of their asses.
I mean, I've tried to enjoy it here, and certainly it has it's pros, but let's be serious, blackrocklifer; this region is beyond ridiculous and things will probably never change, in terms of political nonsense.
You can move to a real progressive city like Detroit. They have THREE casinos there.
Or how about Gary, Indiana? I think they have one there too.
It's not the point of casino or no casino. The point is, there was a $333 million project going on in a part of downtown that no reasonable developer should or probably ever would develop. My point was, there are ALREADY casinos here, so who seriously cares if the city has one that has potential to further stimulate the economy. I can tell you with 100% certainty that when business leaders make their way to WNY for any type of meeting or convention, they go to Niagara Falls to spend their money. Why not have these people spend their money in, and enjoy downtown?!!! Is this really that difficult of a concept?
crobs- things are changing, people are finally willing to stand up and challenge the bad decisions made by the politicians and powerbrokers.
hamp 'this is great news'....because you didn't like the fact someone said something critical about a grain silo. Unfortunately, we seem to be left with a lot of weak individuals like you who pick the least opportune time to make a stand. The venom expressed above from bitter individuals who don't want to see anything succede, because they 'don't compete by the same rules'..or they 'don't like the flag' or some other blather that I'd be embarassed to hear from my five year old. Suck it up people, build it, live with it. Make your statement in a proactive way, get out of the way of people trying to get something done. You're killing the city you say you want to protect.
In case you missed it, let me give you this news flash. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is bringing a few thousand people to BUFFALO for their national convention. They're not going to Niagara Falls. And they're not coming here to gamble.
Uniland is building a new hotel downtown, next to the Hampton Inn. Do you think they're building these hotels just for fun?
And, do you think it's fair that privately run hotels would have to compete with an Indian run hotel, that doesn't charge any taxes?
Skretny's decision bodes well for the future of the city.
I suspect the folks that are really upset about the casino bitiing the dust are the same cynical thinkers that didn't want the Erie Canal saved.
Instead you wanted to make "progress". That meant going with the state's plan to construct a bland harbor that buried the canal.
If it were not for a few people that stopped that plan, there would be no Central Wharf. No Commericial Slip. And no Erie Canal.
Thankfully, your side lost. And your side lost again today.
Ok, so even in your example, if your group of allies don't want anything to do with what's going on in that part of the city - DON'T GO THERE!! Obviously not EVERY group of people is interested in gambling, HAMP. Quite frankly, I have no interest in gambling. But pleanty of others that come here do. My point still maintains it's case. It's all about OPTIONS, people!! Honestly, get with the program. Life is not always fair, Hamp. Was it fair in the first place that we drove the Indians out of this area? I mean, if you want to get technical here...
Once again, Hamp, you continue to make everything a battle with your one-track thought process. I for one am happy for the Erie Canal, but once again, it all boils down to OPTIONS. If you care about the earth so much, why did you sit here and pick your ass while the Senecas escovated all that land and launched six tons of steel into the prescious downtown soil??
You want an option? Drive to Niagara Falls.
Life isn't fair? Of course it isn't. Ask anyone living in the projects adjacent to the casino.
These lawyers put in countless hours on this law suit. CBB worked like crazy on this, and they won. That's how the system works.
You want a casino? YOU can work to change the constitution.
So if there's no Casino-Hotel, then what? Did the Senecas get in the way of a Grand Hyatt Resort? Or a Mandarin Oriental? Nobody had plans for that location. Building lofts in a disused grain elevator, however intriguing, would be fraught with uncertainty and a real risk of failure. Very few grain elevators have been redeveloped in that way and it's doubtful the market was ever there for such a product. What else? Another Perry St. project? Sure there was arrogance and more than a few sharp elbows to push this through, because it meant jobs and opportunity for many people. This isn't a brownfields redevelopment that would employ 60 people in a million square foot plant, this was hope for people living in Buffalo who might otherwise rely on public assistance. That was worth the lost taxes. You get your tax base from many employed people spending money at the corner grocery, not one hotel.
The Senecas were warned many times that they were building "at their own risk". They can get a lot of money for that steel on the scrap market.
And regarding battles. Sometimes that's what it takes. Can you say "Peace Bridge"?
Bring it on.
Well the NYS Compact only allowed revenue sharing for 15 years. -at risk were loss of the control of our city due to sovereighty -loss of revenue after 15 years since Buffalo refused to take the casino revenue off budget -our regions seniors, poor and children having access tocasinos -gambling addictions and bankruptcy
Maybe the smart thing to do would be to renegotiate a new compact for permanent revenue sharing or simply change the nys constitution.
Thing is the nation has to many casino's as it is....and indian sovereignty isnt the way to do it...because there can be no such thing as a nation within a nation.
anyway, I doubt that this spells the end of the casino. NYS refuses to collect the cigarette tax from the indians, they refuse to enforce the law when the senecas block the thruway and they refuse to collect the tax on gasoline as well as taxes on non-indian patrons of indian owned businesses. Does anyone think that NYS is going to have any more backbone with a Buffalo CAsino than they do with the other indian issues their not enforcing.
I say let them run the casino...and in 15 years when the revenue sharing expires then enforce the judges ruling and give them a choice...either
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