Support grows for Belmont slot machines

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

The neighborhood around is a dump(Elmont) and them saying that NYRA has not been a good neighbor is laughable.

You are absolutely clueless and have no idea what you are talking about. Floral Park borders Belmont. There are million dollar homes just outside the fence of belmont's back parking area. Also, if you go out the back gate where the school is you are in Floral Park, where homes start at $500K.

Please get your head of of NYRA's butt. It is comical how people stick up for them all the time and then don't disclose their relationship with members of the group.

Who has more credibility, the people that live near the track, or the organization that is bankrupt and in years past was getting slapped around by the federal government? Remember the people that live in that neighborhood are the ones paying the taxes to bail out bankrupt groups like NYRA.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

You are absolutely clueless and have no idea what you are talking about. Floral Park borders Belmont. There are million dollar homes just outside the fence of belmont's back parking area. Also, if you go out the back gate where the school is you are in Floral Park, where homes start at $500K.

Please get your head of of NYRA's butt. It is comical how people stick up for them all the time and then don't disclose their relationship with members of the group.

Who has more credibility, the people that live near the track, or the organization that is bankrupt and in years past was getting slapped around by the federal government? Remember the people that live in that neighborhood are the ones paying the taxes to bail out bankrupt groups like NYRA.

These people that live in the neighborhood around Belmont have done nothing as a community to support Belmont. Things work both ways.

Contrary to what you seem to believe, people that see NYRA's side of the situation don't necessarily have their " head in NYRA's butt " as you suggest.

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

These people that live in the neighborhood around Belmont have done nothing as a community to support Belmont. Things work both ways.

Contrary to what you seem to believe, people that see NYRA's side of the situation don't necessarily have their " head in NYRA's butt " as you suggest.

Question:
Why would it be the neighorhoods job to support NYRA? Other than pay high taxes.

Next Q:
What is NYRA's side anyway. How can anyone support the way NYRA managed the Franchise. Granted, they have made a big change to the good.

Believe me, I didn't like any of the responses above, but this one is confusing as all hell.

[blackthroatedwind]

I don't specifically think it is a neighborhood's responsibility. However, for them to voice all those complaints, when it is at least a two way street, is what I find ridiculous. NYRA contributes in tax dollars. If the surrounding community wanted to work with them, and NYRA refused them, I could understand the complaints better. That is simply not the case.

As for NYRA's management of the franchise....well I will say if the people that ran NYRA from the mid 90s until a couple years ago were still in charge then I would say that the group known as NYRA should not get the franchise. However, the management has undergone a complete turnover in the last few years, and the current people in charge ( Steve Duncker, Charlie Hayward and Jim Heffernan in particular ) have done a superb job in turning things around and have clearly shown they deserve a chance to continue to move forward....especially against the field they are currently competing against.

Just because they still carry the name of " NYRA " doesn't mean they are in any way responsible for the sins of the past.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Just because they still carry the name of " NYRA " doesn't mean they are in any way responsible for the sins of the past.

I agree.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by MisterB

Question:
Why would it be the neighorhoods job to support NYRA? Other than pay high taxes.

Next Q:
What is NYRA's side anyway. How can anyone support the way NYRA managed the Franchise. Granted, they have made a big change to the good.

Believe me, I didn't like any of the responses above, but this one is confusing as all hell.

Once you see how other tracks are run and how people are treated, both horseman and fans, you begin to see that NYRA is far from bad.

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

These people that live in the neighborhood around Belmont have done nothing as a community to support Belmont. Things work both ways.

Contrary to what you seem to believe, people that see NYRA's side of the situation don't necessarily have their " head in NYRA's butt " as you suggest.

First of all the people that live there pay ridiculous property taxes, which help bail out groups like NYRA when the state of NY bails them out.

As for the comment about having his head in NYRA's butt, what do you expect me to think. Anyone that has been to Belmont knows that there are some very expensive homes just outside of Belmont. To say the neighborhood around the track is a dump is hilarious. Part of it, like all racetracks is a bad neighborhood, but the facility is huge and the majority of it is surrounded by homes that start at $500k. Perhaps the people with nice homes get a little tired of the garbage and tickets that seem to never be cleaned up and blow all over the place.

I love NY racing and think NYRA is getting better, but a bankrupt group cuts corners and cleaning the area around belmont isn't exactly something NYRA put money into.

NYRA clearly doesn't give a crap about the surrounding community and if they put slots in there the neighborhood property values could easily tumble.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

First of all the people that live there pay ridiculous property taxes, which help bail out groups like NYRA when the state of NY bails them out.

As for the comment about having his head in NYRA's butt, what do you expect me to think. Anyone that has been to Belmont knows that there are some very expensive homes just outside of Belmont. To say the neighborhood around the track is a dump is hilarious. Part of it, like all racetracks is a bad neighborhood, but the facility is huge and the majority of it is surrounded by homes that start at $500k. Perhaps the people with nice homes get a little tired of the garbage and tickets that seem to never be cleaned up and blow all over the place.

I love NY racing and think NYRA is getting better, but a bankrupt group cuts corners and cleaning the area around belmont isn't exactly something NYRA put money into.

NYRA clearly doesn't give a crap about the surrounding community and if they put slots in there the neighborhood property values could easily tumble.

It is obvious that you are not that sharp but unless they put up projects in place of Belmont the property values wont ever tumble as long as the Cross Island parkway is up and running. A 500k home in the greater NY area is not that big or nice of a home as compared to most of the country.

[Sightseek]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

First of all the people that live there pay ridiculous property taxes, which help bail out groups like NYRA when the state of NY bails them out.

As for the comment about having his head in NYRA's butt, what do you expect me to think. Anyone that has been to Belmont knows that there are some very expensive homes just outside of Belmont. To say the neighborhood around the track is a dump is hilarious. Part of it, like all racetracks is a bad neighborhood, but the facility is huge and the majority of it is surrounded by homes that start at $500k. Perhaps the people with nice homes get a little tired of the garbage and tickets that seem to never be cleaned up and blow all over the place.

I love NY racing and think NYRA is getting better, but a bankrupt group cuts corners and cleaning the area around belmont isn't exactly something NYRA put money into.

NYRA clearly doesn't give a crap about the surrounding community and if they put slots in there the neighborhood property values could easily tumble.

Out of curiosity who do you feel would do a better job in supporting the community and why? All of the bidders will want slots at Belmont and didn't either Excelsior or Empire say they weren't interested in the franchise any longer without them?

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Out of curiosity who do you feel would do a better job in supporting the community and why? All of the bidders will want slots at Belmont and didn't either Excelsior or Empire say they weren't interested in the franchise any longer without them?

NYRA could do it just fine. The problem with NY racing though is that they award franchises to non-profits for 30 years at a time and there is no accountability. Once NYRA gets the bid they don't have to listen to anyone. They will revert back to the same way they once did things because the process in NY is flawed. It is like giving teachers tenure and having no accountability, except most teachers get into the business to help children. The only reason people get involved with running non-profits like NYRA is to figure out ways to make money off of it.

Horse racing must be a for-profit entity. Sure there are problems with that, but you can't have non-profit entities running gambling operations. They don't have to answer to anyone.

[sumitas]

Horse racing could easily make a profit in NY if the state took out less. The answer is with the NYRA at least running the racing side of the business. These other private entities would just cut anything going to horse racing, jack up prices to customers as high as possible, and hide as much money as they could stuff in their pants, imo.

The NYRa will run horse racing in NY and it probably should partner with a group on the casino side of things.

Originally Posted by sumitas

Horse racing could easily make a profit in NY if the state took out less. The answer is with the NYRA at least running the racing side of the business. These other private entities would just cut anything going to horse racing, jack up prices to customers as high as possible, and hide as much money as they could stuff in their pants, imo.

The NYRa will run horse racing in NY and it probably should partner with a group on the casino side of things.

NYRA should run it. Just make the deal something like 5 years, not 30, which is a joke.

[sumitas]

It does seem that 30 years is a bit long. I agree there.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

NYRA should run it. Just make the deal something like 5 years, not 30, which is a joke.

Great idea, why not make it 4 years so each new governor can run their own bidding process. I mean this one has been such a positive process.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

The only reason people get involved with running non-profits like NYRA is to figure out ways to make money off of it.

Horse racing must be a for-profit entity.

This about sums it up. I cant top this one.

So you get involved with a NON-Profit to make money so it's better to have a FOR-Profit. Does that mean people get involved with for-profits not to make money? Or just for the good of the taxpayers...

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

You are absolutely clueless and have no idea what you are talking about. Floral Park borders Belmont. There are million dollar homes just outside the fence of belmont's back parking area. Also, if you go out the back gate where the school is you are in Floral Park, where homes start at $500K.

Please get your head of of NYRA's butt. It is comical how people stick up for them all the time and then don't disclose their relationship with members of the group.

Who has more credibility, the people that live near the track, or the organization that is bankrupt and in years past was getting slapped around by the federal government? Remember the people that live in that neighborhood are the ones paying the taxes to bail out bankrupt groups like NYRA.

You know between you and STS you have tried to convince me that Hialeah was a nice neighborhood and the area around Belmont is full of Luxury homes. Of course the fact that I was stabled at Hialeah for 4 years or lived in beautiful Elmont and Franklin Square for 10 years would give me no idea of what I was talking about. Go the other way from Floral Park (which is not exactly 90210). Leave the front gate at Belmont and go right for about 2 minutes. Still nice? Take a left and see how beautiful it is? The county and town sure never bitched about all the tax money they received from NYRA despite the fact that they allowed an OTB directly accross the street! NYRA has treated me fairly over the years, nothing more, nothing less. I call them like I see them. This constant reference to bankruptcy shows your ignorance of both the situation and bankruptcy laws in general.

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

You know between you and STS you have tried to convince me that Hialeah was a nice neighborhood and the area around Belmont is full of Luxury homes. Of course the fact that I was stabled at Hialeah for 4 years or lived in beautiful Elmont and Franklin Square for 10 years would give me no idea of what I was talking about. Go the other way from Floral Park (which is not exactly 90210). Leave the front gate at Belmont and go right for about 2 minutes. Still nice? Take a left and see how beautiful it is? The county and town sure never bitched about all the tax money they received from NYRA despite the fact that they allowed an OTB directly accross the street! NYRA has treated me fairly over the years, nothing more, nothing less. I call them like I see them. This constant reference to bankruptcy shows your ignorance of both the situation and bankruptcy laws in general.

Perhaps you should concentrate more on training and less on kissing NYRA's butt and criticizing people's hometown's, calling them dumps. Your win percentage might hit the 14% mark and earning break $125K on the year. LOL

If you are going to attack people's hometowns perhaps you should know what you are talking about. If you go out the front gate and go right you are in Jamaica. That is not where the people that are complaining live. They are Long Island residents that pay Long Island property taxes. As a trainer, you couldn't afford to live in Floral Park, unless you were Pletcher or Lukas, which you are not, who were Garden City residents, which borders Floral Park.

Do some homework before you go attacking Floral Park. It is much nicer than the areas surrounding Churchill Downs. Heck, the homes in Floral Park cost more than just about anything in all of Kentucky.

Maybe before you go calling people's hometowns a "dump", you should think about how you would feel if people called your barn a dump, which it isn't, but it is a far cry from TAP and the Lukas barns (which you of all people should know).

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Benevolus

Perhaps you should concentrate more on training and less on kissing NYRA's butt and criticizing people's hometown's, calling them dumps. Your win percentage might hit the 14% mark and earning break $125K on the year. LOL

If you are going to attack people's hometowns perhaps you should know what you are talking about. If you go out the front gate and go right you are in Jamaica. That is not where the people that are complaining live. They are Long Island residents that pay Long Island property taxes. As a trainer, you couldn't afford to live in Floral Park, unless you were Pletcher or Lukas, which you are not, who were Garden City residents, which borders Floral Park.

Do some homework before you go attacking Floral Park. It is much nicer than the areas surrounding Churchill Downs. Heck, the homes in Floral Park cost more than just about anything in all of Kentucky.

Maybe before you go calling people's hometowns a "dump", you should think about how you would feel if people called your barn a dump, which it isn't, but it is a far cry from TAP and the Lukas barns (which you of all people should know).

Thanks for the unbiased opinion.

I find it interesting that you have so much knowledge of my barn and living situation. Thanks for the concern but I think that the neighborhood that I live in is a tad nicer than yours (I've lived in both). Maybe since I dont want you to feel bad about living in a dump and still having to pay high property taxes i'll do a 'dump or no dump' survey of all major thoroghbred tracks. What the hell, we can throw in a few trotting tracks too...

[Slewbopper]

[quote=Benevolus]


Do some homework before you go attacking Floral Park. It is much nicer than the areas surrounding Churchill Downs. Heck, the homes in Floral Park cost more than just about anything in all of Kentucky.

QUOTE]

Just because a house in Floral Park costs more than it does in other areas of the country doesn't mean sh*t. The cost of a 2 bedroom/one bath on a sixth of an acre in the Byram section of Greenwcih would cost more than a mansion in Floral Park.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Cardus

This part is correct, and I would not describe Elmont as a "dump." A friend recently bought a plain home that needs some work for over $300,000. There are nicer homes in Elmont than his purchase.

Just because it is expensive to live in NY does not make Elmont a wonderful cheery place to live that is just ruined by that nasty old NYRA and all the losing tickets floating around.