Port Pony
11-26-2009, 09:38 AM
If there is to be a true Metro OTB why are Westchester and Suffolk not being added?
Contact Sen Craig Johnson and ask him where he stands on this issue and why, as the only Nassau Senate Democrat, he was not consulted.
(516) 746-5923 or johnson@senate.state.ny.us
A bill to merge Nassau's profitable off-track betting corporation with the city's failing counterpart - seen as a way to save Democratic patronage jobs in the county - was filed this week by the head of the State Senate Racing and Wagering Committee, prompting Republican outrage.
Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) filed legislation to create a "Metropolitan OTB," with a new five-member governing board appointed by the acting state senate president, the assembly speaker and the governor - all Democrats.
Currently, the Nassau Legislature appoints the county OTB's governing board, which means the party that controls the Legislature controls OTB patronage jobs.
Soon after it became clear on election night that Democrats had lost control of the Legislature, effective Jan. 1, political insiders whispered that Jay Jacobs, Nassau and state Democratic chairman, would try to merge the city and county OTBs to save dozens of Democratic jobs.
For example, the county party's executive director, Mike Santeramo Jr., works at Nassau OTB with a $125,000 annual salary, as does former Glen Cove Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp, who earns $98,811, and former Nassau Democratic Legis. Patrick Williams, convicted of mortgage fraud, who is paid $101,183. Santeramo is vice president of administration at the OTB, Holzkamp is treasurer and Williams is personnel administrator.
But Jacobs Tuesday denied having any involvement in the bill. "The rumor is false," he said.
The county Legislature's incoming presiding officer, Legis. Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said, "I think it is a naked attempt by Jay Jacobs to protect 31 high-paying patronage jobs that we want to cut. This spits in the eye of people who voted for change."
A spokesman for Adams did not return a call for comment on why the senator filed the bill. So far, no companion Assembly bill has been submitted.
State Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), whose vote would be crucial for passage, did not know the bill was being filed and was reviewing it, a spokesman said.
Contact Sen Craig Johnson and ask him where he stands on this issue and why, as the only Nassau Senate Democrat, he was not consulted.
(516) 746-5923 or johnson@senate.state.ny.us
A bill to merge Nassau's profitable off-track betting corporation with the city's failing counterpart - seen as a way to save Democratic patronage jobs in the county - was filed this week by the head of the State Senate Racing and Wagering Committee, prompting Republican outrage.
Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) filed legislation to create a "Metropolitan OTB," with a new five-member governing board appointed by the acting state senate president, the assembly speaker and the governor - all Democrats.
Currently, the Nassau Legislature appoints the county OTB's governing board, which means the party that controls the Legislature controls OTB patronage jobs.
Soon after it became clear on election night that Democrats had lost control of the Legislature, effective Jan. 1, political insiders whispered that Jay Jacobs, Nassau and state Democratic chairman, would try to merge the city and county OTBs to save dozens of Democratic jobs.
For example, the county party's executive director, Mike Santeramo Jr., works at Nassau OTB with a $125,000 annual salary, as does former Glen Cove Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp, who earns $98,811, and former Nassau Democratic Legis. Patrick Williams, convicted of mortgage fraud, who is paid $101,183. Santeramo is vice president of administration at the OTB, Holzkamp is treasurer and Williams is personnel administrator.
But Jacobs Tuesday denied having any involvement in the bill. "The rumor is false," he said.
The county Legislature's incoming presiding officer, Legis. Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said, "I think it is a naked attempt by Jay Jacobs to protect 31 high-paying patronage jobs that we want to cut. This spits in the eye of people who voted for change."
A spokesman for Adams did not return a call for comment on why the senator filed the bill. So far, no companion Assembly bill has been submitted.
State Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), whose vote would be crucial for passage, did not know the bill was being filed and was reviewing it, a spokesman said.