County Parks Committee Recommends Not Moving Forward With Casino

EAST MEADOW, NY — In the latest setback for a proposed casino at the Nassau Hub location in Uniondale, the county Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee, or OSPAC, voted to recommend not to move forward with the transfer of the land lease to the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

The Say No to the Casino Civic Association announced Wednesday's decision in an email.

"I’m heartened that the members of OSPAC demonstrated common sense yesterday, and voted in the best interest of the residents of Nassau County," said Karen Riordan, of Manhasset, a member of the Say No to the Casino Civic Association. "It is reckless to recommend proceeding with the lease transfer on a project of this scale, without any detailed documentation, or any vetting. OSPAC made the right call."

The grassroots organization has more than 2,200 signatures.

Despite the committee's recommendation to not move forward with the lease transfer, the topic is on the agenda of the Nassau County Planning Commission, which was expected to meet Thursday.

Another member of the "Say No" group believes the commission will side with OSPAC's recommendation.

"It would be wildly irresponsible to disagree with OSPAC’s sound conclusion. The risks to our community, our environment, are too great," said Monica Kiely, of Garden City.

Garden City Mayor Mary Carter Flanaganis one of the local elected officials who recently came out against the casino.