Opposition Voices of VLTs Rising.

The voices of those who oppose the VLTs at Belmont Park are rising.

January 2, 2007, Floral Park mayor Phil Guarnieri in his monthly message found at: http://www.fpvillage.org/ clearly shares the same sentiments of the "western" Elmont civic association.

Here are some quotes to highlight:

"Saratoga Racetrack, however, would be conspicuously exempt from VLT's and racinos because, as one observer put it, Saratoga is a gem that needs no polishing."

Unlike how our "Eastern" Elmont civic member noticed, Saratoga racetrack held by NYRA will not have VLTs thanks to Senatorial leadership.

"At the public hearing, I expressed deep reservations about state sponsored gambling in general and the proposed expansion of gambling at Belmont Park in particular. I do not see an Atlantic City environment as a blueprint for economic success of revitalization."

VLTs goes against everything we're working hard for improving. It goes against the basic objectives of the Sustainable Long Island Project. VLTs will become a disaster for revitalization of the community.

"As for those who think that the expansion of gambling at Belmont is the shortest route to an economic renaissance in western Nassau, I think they will be sadly disillusioned."

We agree.
As the forces in support of VLTs may seem inevitable, even the strongest forces will fall to the will and for the good of the people.