Senator Craig Johnson on Feb. 21 introduced what he believes is important legislation that would create a community advisory board for communities surrounding Belmont Park, namely Elmont and Floral Park.

The bill (S6977) would create a board equivalent to the panels serving the Saratoga and Aqueduct racetracks, which were included in the recently agreed upon New York Racing Association (NYRA) franchise agreement. Belmont, however, was left out.

"This legislation will correct an injustice committed on the communities of Elmont and Floral Park by this most recent franchise agreement," Senator Johnson said. "History has shown that NYRA, left on its own, will operate in a bubble with little regard for the communities that host the race track. It is our hope that this mechanism will make it so that the needs of Floral Park and Elmont residents will no longer be ignored."

The next day, Assemblyman Tom Alfano and State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Dean Skelos introduced their own legislation. Specifically, their bill (S6989) also calls for the creation of a community advisory board and demands an investment from Belmont, including "monetary outlays" for village and county police departments.

The effort, both said, is in response to a franchise agreement that "totally left Floral Park and Elmont in the dark."

While Johnson's legislation calls for a 15-member advisory board comprised of four members appointed by the Hempstead Town supervisor - three of whom must reside in Elmont - with the approval of the Town Board; four members appointed by the mayor of Floral Park with the approval of the village board; four members appointed by the Elmont Community Coalition Council; and three appointed by NYRA, the legislation proposed by Skelos and Alfano creates a similar advisory board with seats not only for the Village of Floral Park and Elmont but for the Floral Park-Bellerose School District, the Elmont and Sewanhaka school districts and NYRA.

Assemblyman Alfano felt strongly that a positive cross-section of officials have a direct voice in the community advisory board process.

"Our Chambers of Commerce, village officials and civic leaders should be involved every step of the way. Appointees to the board should have the clear purpose of keeping NYRA's feet to the fire. For this board to work, we need it to have revenue, purpose, unity and cooperation. This bill does just that."

Elmont Community Coalition Council President Joyce Stowe, who attended Johnson's press conference, said, "What happens inside Belmont's gates greatly affects what happens outside of them."

Floral Park Trustee James Rhatigan, chair of the village's Task Force for Belmont's Preservation and Improvement, also attended Senator Johnson's press conference, adding, "Belmont is an important part of our community, and it is crucial that the residents of Floral Park have a say in its future direction."

Rhatigan added that Floral Park Village officials look forward to participating in the process to return Belmont to the "luster it once had" and to work with its neighboring communities to maintain a dialogue with NYRA.

Senator Skelos and Assemblyman Alfano said revenues would come from Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) Governor Eliot Spitzer included in his executive budget. Their bill takes $6 million directly off the top of VLT revenues and earmarks $2 million each for the Floral Park-Bellerose, Elmont and Sewanhaka school districts. This outlay, they note, will recur for the duration of the 25-year franchise contract.

The revenue balance would then fund economic development projects ranging from anything from flood mitigation to business district improvements and would also target infrastructure projects for sidewalks, police services and roads.

"If the governor thought we were going to roll over and sell out Floral Park and Elmont by giving seats to Queens he's wrong. Having an advisory board that does not have the backing of revenue doesn't make sense and is of no benefit to the community," Senator Skelos said.