Community Opposition to Casino Proposal
Jackson Heights: In reaction to Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ op-ed advocating for a casino at Citi Field (“Queens casino will help many people,” May 19), I feel it’s important to address the misconception of widespread support. The group Queens Future is creating a false sense of consensus. As a dissenting member of Queens Community Board 3, I witnessed how the process favored proponents of the casino. Journalist Katie Honan noted that some individuals from the area communicated their direct financial ties to him when asked. Currently, Queens Future’s tactic involves a biased poll framing the casino as part of a park/entertainment center without disclosing the casino component.
Survey Results Show Opposition
State Senator Jessica Ramos’ polling indicates that most of her constituents do not support this plan. Moreover, Richards’ December hearing yielded written testimony opposing the proposal by a significant margin of 70 to 3. There is an active grassroots coalition consisting of over 17 community organizations advocating for actual park development instead of a casino.
Absence of Community Benefits Agreement
Regarding promised benefits, there is no existing community benefits agreement in place. Supporters of the casino appear to rely on the assumption that these terms would be included in the gaming license application, which could potentially be rejected if Queens Future fails to fulfill its obligations.
Lessons from Past Projects
The past failures to deliver affordable housing at Hudson Yards and Barclays projects serve as cautionary tales highlighting the risks associated with such ventures. Bill Bruno
Valuable Expertise Needed
Boynton Beach, Fla.: Following the acknowledgment of Andy Byford’s role in Amtrak’s Penn Station redesign, I believe the president should consider involving him in the East River Tunnel project. It’s crucial to assess if it’s too late for his insights on potentially needing a three-year shutdown versus nightly closures. His experience managing trains in both London and New York is invaluable for determining which method minimizes disruptions to service.
Addressing Humanitarian Issues
West Hempstead, L.I.: In response to Voicer Peter Griswold: I’m not a Daily News employee. Upon hearing that 20,000 children may perish within 48 hours, I felt compelled to respond. I mentioned the possibility of temporary relocation and the provision of shelter, hoping for a peace initiative led by either the Peace Corps or UN peacekeepers to advocate for safety. It’s just a temporary measure until a better solution is achieved.
Need for Accountability
North Brunswick, N.J.: In response to Trump’s Memorial Day message published on May 27 (“Trump, in all-caps Memorial Day rant, slams ‘scum,’ Biden”), it was disappointing to see it edited for grammar. It is important for the public to see the errors that reflect who they voted for. Mistakes such as saying “Happy Memorial Day” and others should not be sanitized; they reveal the character of the leadership. Louise Reeves
