Casino plan gets a split verdict
Chris Churchill and Alysia Santo
Albany
Common Council members representing the city's poorest neighborhoods are voicing support for a newly unveiled casino plan while many members from other Albany wards are reserving judgment.
The Times Union on Sunday surveyed every member of the Common Council about the plan by Rochester developer David Flaum, who wants to build a $300 million to $400 million casino, hotel and waterpark project at Noonan Lane off Exit 23 of the Thruway. Flaum is asking the 16-member council to back a resolution in support of the proposal.
Not one council member interviewed Sunday voiced outright opposition to the proposal — and most predicted the resolution sought by Flaum will pass, though residents of the city narrowly voted against the statewide casino referendum last November.
"I have mixed feelings," said Cathy Fahey, who represents the 7th Ward. "But it's going to be very hard to say no to this."
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Casino-plan-gets-a-split-verdict-5342967.php
