From left, Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs and his wife Paula, Ashley Learn from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier; Benjamin and Sue Margolius from the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group; and Scot Taylor, superintendent of the Tioga Central School District gathered at Tioga Downs on Monday, Sept. 14 for check presentations. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, presents a check in the amount of $22,080 to Ashley Learn from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which represents the proceeds received from the second Chubby Checker concert held July 16.
Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, presents a check in the amount of $83,460 to Benjamin and Sue Margolius of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, which represents the proceeds received following the Lee Greenwood concert held Aug. 15.
Jeff Gural, owner of Tioga Downs, presents a check in the amount of $295,000 to Tioga Central School District Superintendent, Scot Taylor, which helps preserve academic, athletic and arts programs within the district.
Jeff Gural, CEO of American Racing and Entertainment and owner of Tioga Downs, held a press conference at the Tioga Downs facility on Monday, Sept. 14 to encourage the community to participate in the upcoming public comment session scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 regarding the full gaming license, and also shared an update on the site selection committee hearing held last week.
Also gathered in the Winner’s Circle were Tioga Downs’ staff and employees, and representatives from three area organizations who were presented checks by Gural.
Gural shared that he was pleased about last Thursday’s hearing held in New York City, and specifically stated that the site selection committee was very receptive, and he left feeling that Tioga Downs received a fair hearing.
“We’re really in the home stretch of this effort to bring a casino to the Southern Tier,” Gural said.
In order for a full gaming license to be awarded, the public, as part of the process, is invited by the Gaming Facility Location Board (GFLB), to a public comment session scheduled on Friday, Sept. 18. The session will be held inside the Baldwin Gym at SUNY Broome, located at 907 Upper Front St. in Binghamton, N.Y. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and comments will be received between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“I expect Friday will be a good day,” said Gural, and he added, “I hope people will speak favorably about why they think it’s important that the Southern Tier gets a casino license.”
The public comment session is free. For individuals who do wish to speak, a five-minute slot will be given. To reserve a time slot, individuals should email their name, organization (if applicable) and time desired to info@gaming.ny.gov. All reserved slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis through Sept. 16. Remaining time slots at the day of the event will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Public participation is encouraged even for those not planning to speak. The event will also be streamed live at www.gaming.ny.gov.
Gural shared, “All are welcome, and anyone can come to just show support by being there.”
The GFLB will also accept written submissions at the event and up to seven days following the event. All submissions should clearly identify the submitter’s name and affiliation, if any, and be sent via email to info@gaming.ny.gov or by mail to: Gail P. Thorpe, Supervisor of Contract Administration New York State Gaming Commission, Contracts Office, One Broadway Center, Schenectady, N.Y. 12301-7500.
Gural shared that in addition to creating hundreds of jobs in the Southern Tier, Tioga Downs will also continue to contribute to local non-profit organizations. At the press conference, three area organizations were presented checks from Tioga Downs.
A check in the amount of $22,080 was given to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which represents proceeds received from the Chubby Checker concert held on July 16. Gural matched each guest who attended with a $10 donation to the Food Bank.
Ashley Learn, events and promotions coordinator for the Food Bank stated, “We really appreciate the support since one in four residents rely on the Food Bank.”
A check in the amount of $83,460 was given to the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group (STVSG), which represents proceeds received from the Lee Greenwood concert held Aug. 15. Tioga Downs has had a close association with STVSG for five years and the current check, combined with other donations previously given, totals nearly $500,000.
Covering a territory of nine counties within the southern tier of New York and northeast Pennsylvania, STVSG partners with approximately 70 area organizations, and in turn offers monetary assistance and multiple services to veterans, service members and their families.
Benjamin Margolius, STVSG vice president shared, “Tioga Downs has made an incredible difference. We couldn’t have done it without Jeff Gural.”
A check in the amount of $295,000 was given to the Tioga Central School District, in support of several academic, athletic and arts programs. Gural stepped forward with the donation in June 2015, which helped reduce the tax levy and ultimately preserved the core programs, and resulted in the school budget passing after a second vote.
Tioga Central School District Superintendent Scot Taylor shared, “We are very grateful. It is so important for the community.”
For additional information about Tioga Downs, visit their website, tiogadowns.com or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
