By Dan Hust
MONTICELLO — January 7, 2005 – Faced with a standing-room-only crowd – many of whom were construction union members – the Thompson Town Board added its voice to the growing municipal support for five casinos in Sullivan County.
Four of the casinos approved by the state would likely be located within Thompson’s borders, a fact noted in the resolution Supervisor Tony Cellini read at Tuesday’s meeting in Monticello.
The resolution, which sounded much like recent newspaper and radio ads published and aired by the Catskills Casino Coalition, advocated for all five casinos as an economic plus for the region.
The board passed it unanimously, although councilmember Bill Rieber expressed a concern over infrastructure, specifically local roads and their ability to handle increased traffic.
He also worried about whether the resolution might hurt the ongoing efforts with the three formerly approved casinos.
“I think we’ve taken a calculated risk,” he said.
“Yeah, but if we ask for 10 we might get one,” replied Cellini.
Rieber did feel the area could support five casinos, however, and thus voted yes.
Applause was thunderous from people throughout the room, many of whom were wearing “Room for 5” pro-casino buttons.
The board will meet in closed session this Friday at 2 p.m. to discuss with attorney Greg Allen ongoing negotiations with Native Americans looking to operate area casinos.