Friday, June 30, 2017


Cuomo’s racing advisor quits in protest


Hendrickson
Hendrickson file photo

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> John Hendrickson has sent a loud, clear message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom he said hasn’t been listening lately – I quit.
Hendrickson, Marylou Whitney’s husband, resigned his post Tuesday – four days before the Belmont Stakes – as Cuomo’s special advisor on matters relating to Saratoga racing.
He has grown increasingly frustrated over Cuomo’s handling of New York Racing Association, which has been under state control since October 2012.
“I was appointed to help give a voice to Saratoga, but it’s clear the governor is not listening,” Hendrickson said. “Marylou and I are sorely disappointed. We hope the governor finds some newfound enlightenment soon.”
Instead of advising Cuomo, Hendrickson said his role turned out to be a “nightmarish job of ‘Whack-a-Mole’ ” as he constantly tried to stop Cuomo from doing things to hurt racing.
One of the latest episodes was the state’s approval, in an omnibus bill, of 1,000 new gaming machines at Aqueduct Racetrack to benefit Nassau Regional Off Track Betting.
The slot-like video lottery terminals will be located at Aqueduct’s casino, which generates revenue for racing. But none of Nassau OTB’s machines will benefit racing.
“We thank Mr. Hendrickson for his service and wish him well. The governor and the Legislature saved NYRA from yet another bankruptcy in 2012 and installed a board and management team that, by every metric, has been a success. We seek to continue this progress,” Gov. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in a statement. Former NYRA board member Charles Wait of Saratoga Springs said Hendrickson’s resignation is a “disaster for Saratoga, a disaster for racing and a disaster for the governor.”
Saratoga is losing an important voice, he said.
“This is the governor’s hand-picked advisor and he’s quitting because he can’t get anywhere,” Wait said. “I hope this gives the governor pause about the advice he’s getting or his own direction.”
Hendrickson and Whitney are highly respected in the world of thoroughbred racing and have done a great deal to improve the lives of Saratoga’s many backstretch workers. Hendrickson said he and Whitney plan to continue sponsoring their annual Backstretch Worker Appreciation Program, which provides daily activities during the 40-day meet, this summer.
But Hendrickson’s split from Cuomo is clear evidence of their disapproval with the governor’s racing policies.
In October 2012, Cuomo reorganized a 17-member NYRA board with 12 state appointees, and charged the group with returning the firm to private hands within three years.
But early last year, after NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay developed such plans, Cuomo instead extended state control of NYRA until this fall.
Most recently, it’s believed he favors a plan that would effectively keep a majority of state appointees on the board, while at the same time taking some of the money NYRA gets from Aqueduct’s casino and transferring it to the state general fund.
Under NYRA’s latest franchise agreement, the contract called for NYRA to get a share of gaming revenue in return for giving the land, worth $1 billion, at its three tracks – Saratoga, Belmont Park and Aqueduct – to the state.
Hendrickson said it’s now apparent that Cuomo wants to control the money generated by VLTs.
“Maybe this was his original course all along,” Wait said. “Racing is one of the greatest upstate industries there is. The governor says he’s open for business. This sends a message that he’s shutting upstate down.”
The group Concerned Citizens for Saratoga Racing is extremely upset at Cuomo, charging that taking money from NYRA will hurt Saratoga Race Course, one of the Capital Region’s most important economic engines. Maureen Lewi, the group’s chair, said Hendrickson’s resignation is a setback for Saratoga and racing.
“John is one of only a few notable figures that speak the truth, regardless of personal consequences, a virtuous asset in today’s society,” she said.
Only a few years ago, the best horses and stables in the country began moving to New York, attracted by the lure of higher purses resulting from gaming revenue at Aqueduct’s casino. Now, the reverse could happen if Cuomo takes money from NYRA, Wait said.
“I can’t imagine anybody investing in any business if they don’t have certainty about what the state is going to do,” Wait said. “It was his (Cuomo’s) word that he would privatize NYRA in three years. He has not lived up to his commitment.”
Last year, Wait resigned from the NYRA board when it became apparent that Cuomo’s plan was to continue state control over the firm.
Hendrickson’s departure leaves Georgeanna “Georgie” Lussier of Saratoga Springs as the region’s lone representative on NYRA’s board, a position she’s held since last September.
“I’m clearly upset,” she said. “I relied and depended on John’s input throughout this process. As long as I’m on the board I will represent his views and thoughts to the rest of the board.”
The board is not scheduled to meet again until August in Saratoga Springs.
Read other stories involving Andrew Cuomo: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/Cuomo
Read other stories about horse racing: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/Horseracing
Read other stories involving casinos and gambling: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/casino

utica bettors

it is time to have one otb ticket cashable at sny itb in the state and otbs open for simulcasting every day of the year like the ny lottery and the ny slot machines


some prople work and others like cuomo are born to steal, scam ripoff, intimidate and abuse







New York lawmakers produce a Very Special Ugly

Naturally, the Legislature’s special session wound up producing a Special Ugly — an omnibus bill loaded down with extras that sock the taxpayers.
The centerpiece was of course the two-year renewal of Mayor de Blasio’s control of the city’s public-school system — without the increase in the charter-school cap that Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan had insisted on, until in the end he didn’t.
Mayoral control was set to end on Friday, so action on that, and on renewing also-expiring sales taxes for 50-odd counties, fits the definition of “emergency” that justified the special session.
But the omnibus also prompted a bidding war as legislators stuck out their hands for more pork and other local favors. Or, as John DeFrancisco, the No. 2 Senate Republican, piously put it: “There were other things that were really emergencies as well.”
So the bill (which Gov. Cuomo promptly signed into law) also provides a financial incentive for Vernon Downs racetrack, near Utica, designates $55 million for Lake Ontario flood relief and more cash for Adirondack road and well construction, as well as sweetening some pensions for cops, firefighters and some other workers here in the city.
Plus $10 million to expand the National Purple Heart Hall in the Hudson Valley — a tradeoff for passing another “emergency”: naming the new Tappan Zee Bridge after Cuomo’s father.
In all, the 72-page bill contains millions in new subsidies and billions in tax renewals.
Credit upstate Republican Sen. Joe Griffo with the understatement of the year: “It’s not the best way to govern.”
Apparently, it’s the only way Albany knows.

andrew cuomo works for pope francis

closing nassau otb on roman catholic easter sunday in preverenve to orthodox easter sunday

few people find andrew cuoumo credible about much




Senate, Assembly pass Vernon Downs relief measure






Vernon Downs owner Jeff Gural was getting a haircut Thursday afternoon when he got the phone call he was waiting for.
“I said, ‘I have to take this call,’” Gural said.
The news was exactly what he hoped it would be.
In what is called an extraordinary session, the state Senate passed a measure Thursday that would save Gural’s enterprise $2 million per year for the next two years, resulting in Gural being able to save 300 jobs at his facility that includes the historic harness track, casino and hotel.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill Thursday afternoon.
“The future of Vernon Downs is secure for the foreseeable future,” Gural said. “It’s a good day.”
The money is a relief to the beleaguered “Home of the Miracle Mile.” Gural recently threatened to close the track, casino and hotel if the state did not offer it some kind of tax relief. Gural has stated publicly that casino competition is taking a bite out of his business. Further, he has canceled some racing programs this year due to a lack of horses.
































The mechanism of the measure, which passed the Assembly Wednesday night, would work by lowering some administration fees the track pays for video lottery terminal usage.
“Basically, instead of paying the (state) Gaming Commission 10 percent in administration fees, we only pay 2.5 percent,” Gural said. “We just have to show financial hardship which won’t be a problem.”
Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson — whose district includes Vernon Downs — said the move also requires the track to keep the same number of part-time and full-time employees.
“I’m pleased that they were able to come to some agreement,” Magee said.
The situation at Vernon Downs has been in limbo for several months.
Gural announced in April that the opening day of racing would be delayed from its April 21 date. He claimed to have lost about $150,000 a month since November because of the increased competition from Yellow Brick Road, Lago and Rivers casinos. Live harness racing began May 6.
Over the last few weeks, the state Senate and Assembly passed differing measures to help the facility but couldn’t agree on a plan until Thursday.
Vernon Downs’ stakeholders were happy with the announcement.
“It’s great news that Jeff Gural, the legislature and Gov. Cuomo came together to insure that Vernon Downs stays open for the foreseeable future,” said Gary A. Greenberg, minority shareholder at Vernon Downs. “The tax break will keep 300 full-time jobs, allow horsemen to continue to operate and the Vernon community to continue to benefit economically from Vernon (Downs).”






Cuomo’s racing advisor quits in protest



Hendrickson
Hendrickson file photo


SARATOGA SPRINGS >> John Hendrickson has sent a loud, clear message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whom he said hasn’t been listening lately – I quit.
Hendrickson, Marylou Whitney’s husband, resigned his post Tuesday – four days before the Belmont Stakes – as Cuomo’s special advisor on matters relating to Saratoga racing.
He has grown increasingly frustrated over Cuomo’s handling of New York Racing Association, which has been under state control since October 2012.
“I was appointed to help give a voice to Saratoga, but it’s clear the governor is not listening,” Hendrickson said. “Marylou and I are sorely disappointed. We hope the governor finds some newfound enlightenment soon.”
Instead of advising Cuomo, Hendrickson said his role turned out to be a “nightmarish job of ‘Whack-a-Mole’ ” as he constantly tried to stop Cuomo from doing things to hurt racing.
One of the latest episodes was the state’s approval, in an omnibus bill, of 1,000 new gaming machines at Aqueduct Racetrack to benefit Nassau Regional Off Track Betting.
The slot-like video lottery terminals will be located at Aqueduct’s casino, which generates revenue for racing. But none of Nassau OTB’s machines will benefit racing.
“We thank Mr. Hendrickson for his service and wish him well. The governor and the Legislature saved NYRA from yet another bankruptcy in 2012 and installed a board and management team that, by every metric, has been a success. We seek to continue this progress,” Gov. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in a statement. Former NYRA board member Charles Wait of Saratoga Springs said Hendrickson’s resignation is a “disaster for Saratoga, a disaster for racing and a disaster for the governor.”
Saratoga is losing an important voice, he said.
“This is the governor’s hand-picked advisor and he’s quitting because he can’t get anywhere,” Wait said. “I hope this gives the governor pause about the advice he’s getting or his own direction.”
Hendrickson and Whitney are highly respected in the world of thoroughbred racing and have done a great deal to improve the lives of Saratoga’s many backstretch workers. Hendrickson said he and Whitney plan to continue sponsoring their annual Backstretch Worker Appreciation Program, which provides daily activities during the 40-day meet, this summer.
But Hendrickson’s split from Cuomo is clear evidence of their disapproval with the governor’s racing policies.
In October 2012, Cuomo reorganized a 17-member NYRA board with 12 state appointees, and charged the group with returning the firm to private hands within three years.
But early last year, after NYRA President and CEO Chris Kay developed such plans, Cuomo instead extended state control of NYRA until this fall.
Most recently, it’s believed he favors a plan that would effectively keep a majority of state appointees on the board, while at the same time taking some of the money NYRA gets from Aqueduct’s casino and transferring it to the state general fund.
Under NYRA’s latest franchise agreement, the contract called for NYRA to get a share of gaming revenue in return for giving the land, worth $1 billion, at its three tracks – Saratoga, Belmont Park and Aqueduct – to the state.
Hendrickson said it’s now apparent that Cuomo wants to control the money generated by VLTs.
“Maybe this was his original course all along,” Wait said. “Racing is one of the greatest upstate industries there is. The governor says he’s open for business. This sends a message that he’s shutting upstate down.”
The group Concerned Citizens for Saratoga Racing is extremely upset at Cuomo, charging that taking money from NYRA will hurt Saratoga Race Course, one of the Capital Region’s most important economic engines. Maureen Lewi, the group’s chair, said Hendrickson’s resignation is a setback for Saratoga and racing.
“John is one of only a few notable figures that speak the truth, regardless of personal consequences, a virtuous asset in today’s society,” she said.
Only a few years ago, the best horses and stables in the country began moving to New York, attracted by the lure of higher purses resulting from gaming revenue at Aqueduct’s casino. Now, the reverse could happen if Cuomo takes money from NYRA, Wait said.
“I can’t imagine anybody investing in any business if they don’t have certainty about what the state is going to do,” Wait said. “It was his (Cuomo’s) word that he would privatize NYRA in three years. He has not lived up to his commitment.”
Last year, Wait resigned from the NYRA board when it became apparent that Cuomo’s plan was to continue state control over the firm.
Hendrickson’s departure leaves Georgeanna “Georgie” Lussier of Saratoga Springs as the region’s lone representative on NYRA’s board, a position she’s held since last September.
“I’m clearly upset,” she said. “I relied and depended on John’s input throughout this process. As long as I’m on the board I will represent his views and thoughts to the rest of the board.”
The board is not scheduled to meet again until August in Saratoga Springs.
Read other stories involving Andrew Cuomo: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/Cuomo
Read other stories about horse racing: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/Horseracing
Read other stories involving casinos and gambling: www.OneidaDispatch.com/topic/casino


Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said keeping Vernon Downs afloat required teamwork.
“This is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we work together on the local and state level,” he said. “Vernon Downs has been a vital part of this region for many years and I hope it will continue to be for many years to come.”
Follow @OD_Cleaver on Twitter or call her at 315-792-4956.




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The New York legislature voted to grant more video lottery terminal revenue to Vernon Downs ahead of threats the harness track would close due to declining profits. Vernon Downs will now get at least $2 million from VLT revenue to offset the $150,000 owner Jeff Gural said he is losing per month on the track.
Vernon Downs is responsible for 300 jobs and more than $20 million in total tax revenue.
Gural estimated the move would help him break even. Gural released the following statement Thursday afternoon:
“I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all of my employees, the many local businesses that rely on Vernon and me personally to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support yesterday and today in getting the legislation we needed that would allow us to remain open.” 
“A special thank you to Senator Joe Griffo, who worked tirelessly in this effort and the Mohawk Nine, whose bipartisan support yesterday also made a difference.  In the Assembly my thanks going out to Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi, who also worked extremely hard, along with Assemblyman Bill Magee and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo from Binghamton.”
“Thanks to this legislation we will not only continue to employ 300 people but will continue to provide education with between $11 million and $12 million annually and continue to pay $2 Million dollars in local taxes to the local communities.” 
“I remain committed to maintaining Vernon Downs as a local Mom & Pop type casino with horse racing, an affordable hotel and a great place to host weddings and meetings at our event center.  This is obviously a great way to begin the summer season and the upcoming holiday.”
“We expect to continue to give back to the local community as we have in the past.  For those of you in the area tomorrow we are hosting our annual charity concert featuring 38 Special.  As always, all of the ticket sales, plus an additional $10 for every ticket sold and $0.50 for every dollar raised by Food Bank of Central New York at the door will be donated to the Food Bank of Central New York.  On Saturday after the races we will be having our annual fireworks display.  Thanks again to everyone who insured the future of Vernon Downs.”
Claude Solnik
Long Island Business News
2150 Smithtown Ave.
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779-7348 

Home > LI Confidential > Stop scratching on holidays

Stop scratching on holidays
Published: June 1, 2012



Off Track Betting in New York State has been racing into a crisis called shrinking revenue. Some people have spitballed a solution: Don’t close on holidays.
New York State Racing Law bars racing on Christmas, Easter and Palm Sunday, and the state has ruled OTBs can’t handle action on those days, even though they could easily broadcast races from out of state.
“You should be able to bet whenever you want,” said Jackson Leeds, a Nassau OTB employee who makes an occasional bet. He added some irrefutable logic: “How is the business going to make money if you’re not open to take people’s bets?”
Elias Tsekerides, president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, said OTB is open on Greek Orthodox Easter and Palm Sunday.
“I don’t want discrimination,” Tsekerides said. “They close for the Catholics, but open for the Greek Orthodox? It’s either open for all or not open.”
OTB officials have said they lose millions by closing on Palm Sunday alone, with tracks such as Gulfstream, Santa Anita, Turf Paradise and Hawthorne running.
One option: OTBs could just stay open and face the consequences. New York City OTB did just that back in 2003. The handle was about $1.5 million – and OTB was fined $5,000.
Easy money.

it is a flim flam scsm yet again using little people

as pawns




Senate, Assembly pass Vernon Downs relief measure



Vernon Downs owner Jeff Gural was getting a haircut Thursday afternoon when he got the phone call he was waiting for.
“I said, ‘I have to take this call,’” Gural said.
The news was exactly what he hoped it would be.
In what is called an extraordinary session, the state Senate passed a measure Thursday that would save Gural’s enterprise $2 million per year for the next two years, resulting in Gural being able to save 300 jobs at his facility that includes the historic harness track, casino and hotel.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill Thursday afternoon.
“The future of Vernon Downs is secure for the foreseeable future,” Gural said. “It’s a good day.”
The money is a relief to the beleaguered “Home of the Miracle Mile.” Gural recently threatened to close the track, casino and hotel if the state did not offer it some kind of tax relief. Gural has stated publicly that casino competition is taking a bite out of his business. Further, he has canceled some racing programs this year due to a lack of horses.
The mechanism of the measure, which passed the Assembly Wednesday night, would work by lowering some administration fees the track pays for video lottery terminal usage. 
“Basically, instead of paying the (state) Gaming Commission 10 percent in administration fees, we only pay 2.5 percent,” Gural said. “We just have to show financial hardship which won’t be a problem.” 
Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson — whose district includes Vernon Downs — said the move also requires the track to keep the same number of part-time and full-time employees.
“I’m pleased that they were able to come to some agreement,” Magee said.
The situation at Vernon Downs has been in limbo for several months.
Gural announced in April that the opening day of racing would be delayed from its April 21 date. He claimed to have lost about $150,000 a month since November because of the increased competition from Yellow Brick Road, Lago and Rivers casinos. Live harness racing began May 6.
Over the last few weeks, the state Senate and Assembly passed differing measures to help the facility but couldn’t agree on a plan until Thursday.
Vernon Downs’ stakeholders were happy with the announcement.
“It’s great news that Jeff Gural, the legislature and Gov. Cuomo came together to insure that Vernon Downs stays open for the foreseeable future,” said Gary A. Greenberg, minority shareholder at Vernon Downs. “The tax break will keep 300 full-time jobs, allow horsemen to continue to operate and the Vernon community to continue to benefit economically from Vernon (Downs).”
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said keeping Vernon Downs afloat required teamwork.
“This is a prime example of what we can accomplish when we work together on the local and state level,” he said. “Vernon Downs has been a vital part of this region for many years and I hope it will continue to be for many years to come.”
Follow @OD_Cleaver on Twitter or call her at 315-792-4956.

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