Assemblyman Tom Alfano and New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos held a press conference in Elmont with numerous community leaders calling upon Governor Eliot Spitzer to take an active role in helping Belmont Park and the surrounding communities as the racing franchise heads into the final negotiation stage. Alfano and Skelos held the news conference on Hempstead Turnpike in front of Beaute and Mode, a hair salon owned by two Elmont residents.

"Today, we stand united for our schools, job creation, businesses and neighborhoods," said Alfano. "This decision shouldn't be left to be decided in the middle of the night. We are asking the governor today to get involved and help us now. We'll partner with him, but he needs to step up and provide leadership. Up to this point, he's been sitting in the grandstand. Governor Spitzer, get in this race now for Elmont and Floral Park's future."

"In just a few days, the racing franchise will expire," said Skelos. "If Governor Spitzer turns his back on Elmont, we will miss a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalize Belmont Park, invest in our schools and create sustainable, long-term economic development. The governor has a responsibility to listen to the community's needs and act. Governor Spitzer must do the right thing and fight for the future of Belmont Park and the residents of the surrounding communities."

For several weeks, Governor Spitzer, the state senate and state Assembly have held negotiations concerning the new franchise to operate the state's three thoroughbred racetracks-Belmont Park, Saratoga and Aqueduct. The existing franchise with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) is set to expire on Jan. 23 and some community leaders have been vocal about allowing video lottery terminals (VTLs) to be installed in Belmont Park to help with the local economy.

On Oct. 1, the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee held a public hearing at Elmont Memorial Library to solicit testimony from the community regarding VLTs and the needs of Belmont Park. Following the hearing, Skelos, Senator Kemp Hannon and Alfano sent a letter to Governor Eliot Spitzer, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver expressing their support for VLTs at Belmont Park.

Alfano, Skelos and Hannon conditioned their support on $20 million in annual state aid payments that would be apportioned between local school districts, the Nassau County Police Department's 5th Precinct and a newly created "Belmont Park Community Reinvestment Trust" to fund economic development and quality-of-life projects in the affected communities. Local residents sent hundreds of letters in support of this plan to Spitzer.

"The Belmont Preservation Trust will pump millions of dollars to our schools which will help reduce school taxes and jumpstart economic development throughout the Elmont and Floral Park communities," said Alfano. "If the governor can support funding for Saratoga, Yonkers and Aqueduct, then it better be here for Elmont and Floral Park."

According to Alfano, monies would be set aside for education, infrastructure improvements, economic development and revitalization. "These monies would never have come to Elmont, Floral Park, South Floral Park, Bellerose Village and Bellerose Terrace if the governor's plan was accepted as is. We stopped that plan and put together a model that will put a significant investment in our schools and promote revitalization," he said.

Coalition for Sustainable Development Chairperson Sandra Smith called on the governor to take a personal interest in the racing franchise agreement as well. "We've worked very hard to put together a plan with Assemblyman Alfano and Senator Skelos. Now the governor has to do his job and work with all of us. Revitalization in our community takes a dramatic first step with this plan. "

According to Alfano's office, the assemblyman received a call from the governor's office following the press conference. Alfano said that a comprehensive plan to help businesses around the track and possibly reduce property taxes should be looked at. "The governor committed himself to working proactively with me on this," he said.

At the press conference, Skelos and Alfano were joined by Smith, South Floral Park Deputy Mayor Sally Ponce, Elmont Fire Commissioner Ralph Esposito, Elmont East End Civic Association President Pat Nicolosi, Elmont Community Coalition Chairperson Joyce Stowe, Bill Ost of the Elmont American Legion, Argo Civic President Mimi Pierre, Elmont Library Board Trustee Tania Lawes, AARP Elmont Chapter President Juana Thornhill, Elmont VFW Commander Tom Bennet, Elmont School Board Trustee Aubrey Phillips, local small business owners, representatives from the parent-teachers associations and Catrina Bowen, student vice president of Elmont Memorial High School.