Local Politician Thinks Nassau Casino Deal 'Worse Than Bad Idea'

GARDEN CITY, NY — While the Nassau County Legislature Rules Committee voted for the Nassau Hub hotel and casino lease deal with Las Vegas Sands to move ahead, one politician is not on board.

Garden City Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan spoke against the proposed $4 billion deal at Monday night's meeting on behalf of her residents.

Flanagan told the committee that she initially thought the casino was a "bad idea." But as she educated herself "about the impact of casinos on local communities, I have come to realize that it is much worse than a bad idea."

She went on to outline how a vote for the lease agreement would "bring financial and emotional heartache to our communities."

• Traffic concerns:

Flanagan cites an estimated 20,000 daily visitors to the casino. "Our roadways, already overburdened with traffic, could not handle this," she said.

• Crime:

The mayor is not only referring to neighboring property crimes. "Along with a casino, for reasons law enforcement experts can explain, will come drug trafficking, prostitution and human trafficking. No one is even arguing this, as the lease transfer agreement includes building a police precinct on the site," she told the committee.

• Addiction:

Flanagan used the statistic that living within a 10-mile radius of a casino doubles the risk of becoming a problem gambler. "How can anyone think it would be a good idea to place this casino between Hofstra University and Nassau Community College where so many county residents are students?" she questioned.

Before Flanagan concluded her remarks, she posed a few more questions.

• Who has calculated the cost of increased law enforcement needed not just at the casino site but in the surrounding communities?
• Who has studied the impact a mega casino would have on the small businesses in the surrounding communities and the reduction in the commercial tax base?
• Who has calculated the total decline in property value for surrounding
  homeowners and commercial property owners?

The legislature could vote on the casino when they meet on May 22.

"I urge residents to attend the meeting to let their voices be heard," Flanagan said.