Too early to place bet on Nassau Coliseum casino?

Legislator Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) was surprised when she heard news about a possible casino at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum property. But she was not shocked.
    
Gonsalves addressed the issue at the April 28 meeting of the Council of East Meadow Community Organizations. She told residents that County Executive Edward Mangano's talks with the Shinnecock Nation open up another option for the financially strapped county.
   
"This is an option," Gonsalves said. "It's not anything cast in stone.
  
"If this county executive and we as a Legislature don't explore all options out there," she added, "at the end of 2011 we will face a deficit of $400 million. How do you fill that hole?"
  
Mangano announced on April 27 that he is in contact with the Shinnecocks on a plan that would include a resort and casino on 77-acre Coliseum property in Uniondale. The county executive called the concept a chance for the county to create jobs and expand the tax base while also building a new Coliseum and keeping the New York Islanders in Nassau.
   
As the county explores this new vision, the Lighthouse continues to wait in the wings. Gonsalves explained last week that the initial Lighthouse proposal — which she calls Plan A — is no longer an option. Instead, developers Charles Wang and Scott Rechler, along with residents and public officials await the Town of Hempstead's blueprint for a revised Lighthouse on the property. That, Gonsalves says, is Plan B.
  
But now there is also Plan C — the casino plan.
  
"We cannot close eyes to the possibilities out there," Gonsalves said.  "Is this casino idea a good idea? I don't know. Plan B is a good option, I'm sure it will be considered."
   
Wang, Rechler and the Lighthouse Development Group have been virtually silent since last fall. Just days before Mangano's announcement, a statement was posted on the Lighthouse website said they continue to wait for the town's plans.