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Calverton casino talk crops up again |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 04 March 2010 |
Calverton casino talk crops up again
County considering pitching Enterprise Park at Calverton as possible location
BY VERA CHINESE |STAFF WRITER
With a county task force looking at Calverton's Enterprise Park as a possible site for a Shinnecock Indian Nation casino, Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter this week noted there is a town prohibition against gambling on the property and the town is "not poised to lift that prohibition."
But he added the Town Board would be willing to consider any application for the town-owned property on Route 25.
Suffolk County Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) pushed for the Legislature to create the committee as a way to drive the casino toward a government-owned site, which would mean taxpayers could share in its revenues.
Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) confirmed Wednesday that the committee has been investigating the EPCAL site, as well as the county's Gabreski Airport in Westhampton, county-owned land in Yaphank and a few other possible locations.
Mr. Romaine said the Calverton site poses problems because it is not directly accessible to a major highway.
The committee might have a recommendation to report in the next few months, he said.
Officials of the Shinnecock tribe, which is expected to receive federal recognition in the next few months, have said they want to build a casino, but not on their Southampton reservation or their property in Hampton Bays, due to traffic congestion and other problems.
Shinnecock Indian Nation Trustee Chairman Randy King could not be reached for comment.
http://www2.timesreview.com/NR/stories/R030410_Casino_VC |
