tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post3108908440505832365..comments2024-03-05T05:38:22.024-05:00Comments on Left at the Gate: Too Important To Fail?Alan Mannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12570505944559196118noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-69118391682869520112009-08-16T20:16:59.958-04:002009-08-16T20:16:59.958-04:00In a parallel world, watch what's going on in ...In a parallel world, watch what's going on in the Catskill's with full fledged Indian casinos. Several players and lobbyists in the Aqueduct game are up there making some noise.<br /><br />Whatever happened to Senator Joe Bruno's pal Donald Trump, the man that said after NYRA chose MGM as its operator in 2003, "if I can't have Aquedcut, nobody can." What's he going to get from NY to protect his NJ casino interests that he just reinvested his own money in?<br /><br />So many things going on behind the curtain......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-84366839279835144322009-08-15T18:02:06.520-04:002009-08-15T18:02:06.520-04:00Interesting blog. Stanley & Pansy Ho from Mac...Interesting blog. Stanley & Pansy Ho from Macau, the Chinese Triad, NY's Genovese family, St. Louis & Detroit organized crime groups, all come to mind per the last poster's suspicions as those having been eluded to alongside certain Aqueduct bidders. <br /><br />Hope Governor David Paterson is on his toes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-66595621629924904632009-08-15T17:19:25.536-04:002009-08-15T17:19:25.536-04:00Politics aside, given all the big names and big-ti...Politics aside, given all the big names and big-time gambling connections being touted as morning line favorites for the casino deal, let's hope they come taint-free. :) If they really aren't, then the decision makers need to eliminate the big casino poobahs from competition, do what's right and choose from who's left standing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8711985.post-12203494953015084522009-08-15T14:04:28.755-04:002009-08-15T14:04:28.755-04:00Horse racing and breeders await a plan for NYCOTB,...Horse racing and breeders await a plan for NYCOTB, and what appears to be an even harder decision at Aqueduct. It's hard to find anyone in this gaming/development bid without, as Alan says "ties," certainly including, and well beyond the example mentioned, the Aqueduct Entertainment Group.<br /><br />Don Peebles has had Carl McCall, one of Governor David Paterson's fondest supporters, championing him in NY for years and Donahue Peebles has been recognized as a key President Barack Obama fund raiser and "bundler." Who doesn't remember the Sheldon Silver lobbying fiasco involving Steve Wynn's current in house gaming counsel Kim Sinatra when she worked for Caesars. The case suggested that the Silver's were given preferential treatment out in Las Vegas, a trip arranged by James Featherstonhaugh's (named as an investor in the Delaware North/Saratoga Gaming bid)office, who was the then Caesars' Albany lobbyist and counsel. Delaware North, supported by former Silver senior office member and now lobbyist Patricia Lynch, has well known ties to the highest level of state and federal elected officials on both sides of the aisle. S.L Green brings in Jeff Gural, who has been a Lottery and legislative story, renegotiating contract terms and getting what's best for he and other gaming operators, along with Stephen Green, whose brother Mark Green is a leading candidate for NYCity Public Advocate and perhaps even New York City Mayor. Penn National has had no community contact, no plans released, maybe just a tire kicker, but as Alan has mentioned, who knows what's going on behind closed doors with this or any other group?<br /><br />My guess is "ties" are ultimately what scored the touchdown for the NYRA in the racing franchise part of this deal. Let's hope plans that are achievable, by bidders with "baggage free", unquestionably honorable reputations are the most integral part of the determination made by Governor David Paterson, Speaker Sheldon Silver and as Alan reminds us, whomever is the Senate decision leader du jour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com