Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Friday, October 18, 2013
Casinos a bad bet for Catskills
timesunion.com
By Ramsay Adams, Commentary
Updated 4:49 pm, Thursday, October 17, 2013
When our group, Catskill Mountainkeeper, opened its doors in 2006, Gov. George Patakihad proposed multiple casinos for the region. We took on the Pataki proposal as our initial battle, because we didn't see casino gambling as a good long-term fit for the region's economic challenges.
Seven years later, it's a different governor, but the same scheme.
We oppose this latest proposal, a change in the state's constitution up for an Election Day vote on Nov. 5, for many of the same reasons we fought the last one. For us, the casino question is straightforward. When we again take a close look at the facts, it's hard to buy the sunny picture the pro-casino forces are painting. They've even tried to stack the deck with slanted language in the referendum itself.
On virtually every front — from the environmental impact to the burden casinos place on local services to a likely increase in crime — we're convinced the drawbacks vastly outstrip the benefits.
Our chief concerns include:
Environmental impact: Huge, Las Vegas-sized complexes would forever change the rural landscape and dramatically alter our Main Streets. A study by Sam Schwartz Engineering in 2006 showed Route 17 is already at capacity, as are other roadways. We also want to protect the region's nearby watershed, which casino-related developments may threaten.
Social services and crime: Casinos have got to find new customers — and a good number of those will became gambling addicts. One Canadian study showed that virtually all casino revenue comes from problem gamblers, even though they made up only one-in-four casino visitors. Does the state really want to be in the position of creating addicts– which often results in increased crime?
Overpromised economic development: Anyone who's been to Atlantic City knows that the good times haven't come to that resort city. Walk a block or two away from the blackjack table and you'll find some of the poorest neighborhoods in America. So gambling's hardly the panacea many local politicians think it is.
We don't come to this position lightly. Our goal in 2006 was to promote smarter, more sustainable economic development for the Catskills. At the same time, we've tried hard to avoid the trap of opposing every single idea from every developer or politician that comes our way, and made it our job to propose an alternative vision if we do oppose a proposal. For example, while we strenuously oppose fracking — which we believe puts the health of our water, air and land at severe risk — we've put forward an alternative energy plan that relies on sustainable sources of power.
As for casinos, we've even tried to reason with casino proponents. While we're convinced casinos are a bad bet for the Catskills, allies told Gov. Andrew Cuomo that we would take a neutral position on November's constitutional change if he guaranteed a limit of just one casino in the five-county region. Unfortunately, the governor and his pro-gambling allies have made it clear repeatedly that he supports at least two casinos here, and there's no guarantee more wouldn't come our way.
The future of the Catskills lies in development that preserves and builds on its special ecological and historic character, not in projects that anticipate converting its unique and cherished environment into the next Atlantic City.
For more than seven years, Mountainkeeper has pursued this goal. We will continue to do so and invite all those who share our vision to join with us in voting "no" on Proposition One on Nov. 5.
The writer is executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper
Friday, June 7, 2013
Aidan Quinn and Melissa Leo Invite you to Barnfest 2013
PATRICK H. DOLLARD AND RAMSAY ADAMS INVITE YOU TO BARNFEST 2013 FEATURING
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TWO TIME EMMY NOMINEE
AIDAN QUINN
AND ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTRESS
MELISSA LEO
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TO HONOR
JAYNI & CHEVY CHASE
for their lifetime commitment to the environment
barnfest is free with registration
CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Saturday, June 22, 2013
12 pm - 5 pm
ANDY LEE FIELD on Rock City Road
Woodstock, NY
FEATURED SPEAKER: BEN HEWITT @ 1:30 PM
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Ben Hewitt, food activist and best selling author of The Town That Food Saved and Making Supper Safe speaks
frequently on the subjects of regionalized agriculture, re-localizing
economies, and reframing America's values to foment positive change and a
durable prosperity that is not dependent on extractive industry. With
his wife and two sons, he operates a diversified 40-acre livestock,
dairy, berry, and vegetable farm in Northern Vermont. He lives in a
self-built, off-grid home that is powered by wind and solar. |
Meet the author at a discussion and book signing after his presentation
KEEPER OF THE CATSKILLS AWARD:
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The Woodstock Land Conservancy is being honored
for over 25 years of dedication of permanently protecting the open
lands, natural resources, scenic areas, and historic sites of Woodstock
and the surrounding eastern Catskills. |
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Sean Eldridge is the founder and president of Hudson River Ventures, a small business investment fund focused on the Hudson Valley. Hudson River Ventures works to empower entrepreneurs and build thriving businesses throughout the region, with a particular focus on agriculture, food & beverage, and advanced manufacturing. Sean and his husband, Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook, live in Ulster County. Sean is being honored for his work to improve the regional economy. |
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CommUNITY HONOREES
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2 STAGES OF LIVE MUSIC
MAINSTAGE ACTS @ ANDY LEE FIELD:
BLUE FOOD · ROCK ACADEMY · PURE GRAVY
Side Stage Acts @ THE COLONY CAFE:
PLUS Cash bar & silent art auction
Dave Kearney · The Cupcakes · The Rick Altman Trio ·
Open Book · Ann Osmond & Dennis Yerry
Delicious LOCAL FOOD available for purchase
ACTIVITIES for the whole FAMILY
PARROTS FOR PEACE · FACE PAINTING · ARTS & CRAFTS and MORE
THE LITTLE FARM SHOW @ 12PM
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WHERE DOES YOUR FOOD COME FROM? NACL Theatre set out to answer that question with The Little Farm Show,
an all-ages musical extravaganza about FARMING, FOOD, and the
ENVIRONMENT. From the inception of the solar system to sunset on
Millicent’s farm, the Magnificent MacDonald twins give audiences a
whirlwind tour of “The Greatest Show on Dirt!”
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PAUL GREEN'S ROCK ACADEMY @ 2PM
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Paul Green,
founder of the School of Rock and inspiration behind the movie of the
same name, will lead a performance of young musicians. Paul will also
be the Barnfest main stage emcee.
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AND FILM SCreenings AT photosensualis
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Post-film discussions with:
JON BOWERMASTER
Director of
DEAR GOVERNOR CUOMO
and
ROGER DOWNS
Conservation Director for Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter |
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As always, Barnfest is free with registration. Click here to register now!
A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LEAD SPONSORS:
Catskill Mountainkeeper relies on community support. To volunteer or make a donation, click on the links below:
or send a check to: Catskill Mountainkeeper, Box 381 Youngsville, NY 12791
Copyright
2013 Catskill Mountainkeeper, P.O. Box 381, Youngsville, New York,
12791. Catskill Mountainkeeper is a non-profit 501(c)(3) grassroots
advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the unique
and irreplaceable Catskill Region of New York State.
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