New York City OTB merchandise such as clocks, shirts, being sold on eBay by the state: assemblyman
Sunday, September 18th 2011, 4:00 AM
ebay.com
OTB ware like this clock are being auctioned off on eBay. State officials, looking to squeeze every last dime from the shuttered betting halls, are selling OTB merchandise - including leftover uniforms and promotional items - on the Internet auction site, the Daily News has learned.
"It doesn't surprise me," said Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Westchester), chairman of the Racing and Wagering Committee. "They are assets of the state. If they are not usable, the state should try and get what it can."
Items up for sale include a pallet of OTB pants, long- and short-sleeve shirts and fleece pullovers. After a dozen bids, the price was $163.51.
OTB bags, minicoolers bearing the logo of Monticello Raceway and an Elgin OTB clock also are available.
"Your Best Bet," says the green lettering on the clock, which was valued at $26 after eight bids.
The bankrupt city OTB closed its doors in December after the state Senate balked at a last-minute rescue deal. The closure put more than 1,000 people out of work and forced the state to assume $100 million of OTB debt.
Pretlow has floated legislation allowing the Catskills OTB to take over the city's franchise - but that measure has stalled.
A bill that would extend state health coverage for former city OTB workers and retirees was adopted by the Legislature this spring and is awaiting Gov. Cuomo's signature.
A spokeswoman for District Council 37, which represented OTB workers, declined to comment on the sale of OTB goods.
The state has been selling surplus junk on eBay for several years. A year ago, the site pumped more than $1.3 million into state coffers.
Non-OTB items listed on the site recently include a collection of crutches, an Aqua Max bathing tub and a pile of wood.
The state "surpluses a wide variety of items that have the potential to raise money for the state," said Heather Groll, a spokeswoman for the state Office of General Services, which administers the site.
gblain@nydailynews.com
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