By Brian Zanzonico
Alfano emerged from the meeting with a positive outlook, saying the governor made clear that he was open to considering the suggestions of residents as plans for the racetrack go forward.
"The governor agreed the community should have a direct seat at the table," Alfano said. "The governor and [state Budget Director] Paul Francis will reach out directly to me to bring all the concerns of the community directly to them. This is a great step forward."
Days earlier, Spitzer recommended that the New York Racing Association, which has run the state's three tracks, Belmont Park, Aqueduct Raceway and Saratoga, since 1955, retain control of them for the next 30 years. Spitzer chose NYRA, whose current contract expires Dec. 31, over the Excelsior Racing Associates, a group led by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, and Empire Racing. Spitzer also awarded video lottery terminals to Aqueduct, and will decide within 60 days on an independent operator to run it. Both are contingent on the approval of the state Legislature.
Echoing the sentiments of many local residents, Alfano said that Belmont Park's operators have not been a good neighbor to the community, and that has to change. Spitzer's announcement coincides with ongoing community workshops in which residents are helping to devise a revitalization plan for an Elmont of the future.
"Belmont, up until this point, has not been a partner to the community," Alfano told the Herald. "Many people are justified in saying they have been an adversary. Senator Craig Johnson and I are committed to ensuring the community has direct input into this process, and we will continue to educate the governor and his staff over the current plans the community has for revitalization."
Last week, NYRA's board of directors approved a memorandum of understanding outlining the major terms of the agreement between NYRA and New York state, which will enable the nonprofit entity to emerge from bankruptcy and shake up its leadership. The NYRA board will be trimmed from 28 members to 19, and will include two members appointed by Spitzer, one by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and one each by representatives of thoroughbred breeders and racehorse owners.
The memorandum of understanding also states that revenue generated from the video lottery terminals will be earmarked for improving racing facilities at all three tracks, reducing deficits from ongoing track operations, bolstering racing purses at the three tracks and creating a fund for New York state breeders. Aqueduct will be equipped with the video lottery terminals, and "any future development at Belmont Park will be required to be consistent with its status as one of the premier thoroughbred racing venues in the world," according to a statement released by Spitzer. NYRA also relinquishes any claims it may have to ownership rights of the tracks and facilities.
"Thoroughbred racing is a vital state industry, providing tens of thousands of jobs to breeders, horsemen and workers who are directly employed at New York's three thoroughbred tracks," Spitzer said. "Following my investigations a few years ago, a new leadership team at NYRA has turned the organization around to the point where it is demonstrating real results and true transparency. The strong performance of racing this season is a testament to how far NYRA has come in the last few years, and this agreement ensures that racing in New York state will be operated by experienced management."
With his decision, Spitzer bypassed the recommendation of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Future of Racing, a 10-member bipartisan group put together in 2005 by then Gov. George Pataki, Silver and Bruno to solicit requests for proposals from investment groups and make a recommendation to the state Legislature. The committee held four public hearings and heard testimony from racing stakeholders, academics, business people, government officials and citizens. Last November, it decided on Excelsior Racing Associates, the Steinbrenner-led group that vowed to use Belmont's off days for concerts, meetings of large organizations and theatrical productions. The Excelsior plan also included the construction of a hotel in Elmont.
"It's not a matter of who runs the track, it's the agreement," Rich Azzopardi, Senator Johnson's director of communications, told the Herald. "There has to be something in it for the community. Belmont has operated in a bubble under NYRA. Whatever happens, Elmont should have a seat at the table."
Local officials have asked Spitzer since May to be part of the selection process. County Executive Tom Suozzi called on Spitzer, whom he challenged for governor in 2006, to install video lottery terminals at Belmont to help reduce county property taxes. Weeks later, Alfano wrote to the governor, asking if he could add input and discuss with him the proposals being considered. On Sept. 4, Johnson and Alfano jointly wrote another letter to Spitzer.
"You've got one of the most well known properties in the world here in Nassau County, and the problem is it's become an island unto itself behind an iron gate," Suozzi told residents at an economic revitalization meeting at the Elmont Memorial Library last week. "It's not integrated into the community whatsoever."
At the meeting, County Legislator John Ciotti gave NYRA a grade of F and said Belmont's role in Elmont leaves much to be desired. "The governor ought not just look to operate a racetrack, but rather seize the opportunity to revitalize the Elmont community," Ciotti said. "It is the governor's obligation to take this opportunity to make a better neighbor for the people of Elmont."
Residents said that NYRA has had its chance to make Belmont an economically viable commodity, but has failed to do so. "If I ran a business like that, I'd be living on the street," said Carlos Martin, the owner of a small exterminating company. "I have accounts at some high-profile places. If I failed in doing my job, they'd find someone else. NYRA has failed. Their reward? Essentially a 30-year contract extension. What a joke."
Patrick Nicolosi, president of the East End Civic Club, tended bar near the track in the late 1970s. He said that one of the complaints of out-of-towners during Belmont Stakes weekends was a lack of lodging. "What we need is a five-star hotel on the track property," Nicolosi said. "Make the 430-acre property like a resort for families. Then Elmont can build up around it."
Sandra Smith, president of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development, which acts as a liaison between the community and government, said she would like to see the improvement of the appearance of Belmont Park's exterior. "I want to see them clean up the side of the track that faces our community," she said. "[NYRA has] allowed it to get too run down. This is the entrance to Elmont."
There is no timetable for when Spitzer's recommendation will go before the state Legislature.
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