To: Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive, Suffolk County Planning Commission, Edward Mangano, Nassau County Executive, The New York State House, The New York State Senate, and Governor Andrew Cuomo

Stop the Medford Casino Now!

WE REJECT New York State’s plan to bail out the bankrupt Suffolk OTB by authorizing a casino complex in suburban Medford, Long Island. By hosting a casino, Medford-area residents would be forced to bear, without their consent, the considerable environmental, financial, and social costs. We call on our New York State officials to stop the Medford casino now!

Why is this important?

WE REJECT that, after OTB admitted major losses ($30 million), Albany’s answer was the Medford Casino, placed in the midst of an established residential, school and business area, and built on Long Island’s sensitive drinking water aquifer (South Service Road of LIE Exit 64).

WE REJECT the huge FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL BURDENS that will befall our suburban and semi-rural communities: dramatically increased traffic, property taxes, theft crimes, fire/ rescue calls, and property depreciation.

WE REJECT the proposed Las Vegas-style neon signs and billboards advertising the casino along our suburban highways.

WE REJECT the Cuomo-Skelos-Bellone-Mangano political deception because a vote against the casino referendum was still a vote for the video lottery terminals (VLTs).

THEREFORE, we call upon you to immediately rescind the authorization for 1,000 video lottery terminals in each county to be operated by Nassau and Suffolk County Off Track Betting (OTB) corporations. We ask the Senators and Assemblymen to co- sponsor and pass Assemblyman Fitzpatrick's Bill A.5187 to repeal Video Lottery Gaming on Long Island.