Residents rally against proposed gaming facility

Community forum, protest draw hundreds

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More than 1,000 people gathered for a community meeting in Westbury on Jan. 15 in a show of united opposition to a proposed video lottery terminal in a now-vacant Fortunoff at the Source Mall.

The gathering of residents, elected officials and civic leaders in the gymnasium of the Saint Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School, on Maple Avenue, was standing-room-only, and though intended to be a community information session, more closely resembled a rally.

Two days later, residents took their protest to the streets, waving signs along Old Country Road.

The community meeting, co-hosted by Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro and a group of community members who created a Facebook page called “Stop the Casino at Fortunoff,” featured state, county, town and village elected officials, both Democrat and Republican, most of whom voiced their disapproval of the project.

Also in attendance were representatives of Nassau Regional Off Track Betting, which is currently in contract negotiations with the owners of the vacant Source Mall space to establish the gaming facility.

St. Brigid’s principal, Paul Clagnaz, was one of the night’s first speakers. “How many times do you see on a platform Democrats and Republicans standing shoulder to shoulder, from all towns and counties, united against an issue?” he asked the crowd.

Earlier this month, Nassau OTB announced its intention to fill 15 percent of the former Fortunoff with up to 1,000 video lottery machines — but no live table games — and the rest with restaurants, a food court, administrative offices and security. No other part of the mall would be leased, according to the agency.

Nassau OTB representative Arthur Walsh, who was met with a chorus of jeers each time he spoke, confirmed that contract talks were continuing between the agency and the owners of the vacant department store. Once negotiations are complete, he said, the agency must submit environmental, traffic and visitation studies to the New York State Gaming Commission, which oversees regional OTBs.

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