What's it going to take?

For a state claiming poverty, it’s remarkable to see Albany blithely turning down free money. At least that’s how it looks to residents and activists in Elmont who for years have been saying — loudly — that they want video lottery terminals in their backyard, at Belmont Park.

Even as they do so, Aqueduct Racetrack, just a handful of miles away, has been the focus of nearly all of the state’s efforts when it comes to the placement of VLTs. The process, which has come under scrutiny recently, is being lambasted by both the left and the right as not transparent enough.

State Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), attacked Gov. David Paterson for “pushing to cover up information.” “The people of this state, especially those in the community adjacent to the track, have a right to know if the best vendor for Aqueduct was selected and that the selection process was not tainted by political favoritism,” Skelos said in a statement. “If information is covered up, we will never get a true answer to that question.”

While the state chose to award the VLT contract for Aqueduct to the Aqueduct Entertainment Group, people on the Nassau-Queens border were left wondering, What about all the other companies willing to work with the state?

“Considering they have five different companies that want to [operate VLTs] for Aqueduct, there are obviously people who would want to do it for Belmont,” said Sandra Smith, co-chair of the Elmont Coalition for Sustainable Development. “Once this got started, it could happen very quickly.”

Smith said that the state has already done enough studies on the viability of VLTs at Belmont and it is now time to move forward, which she believes will take the combined efforts of area legislators. “It’s going to take all the powers that be to come to the realization that there’s money to be had here, and the state needs money,” Smith said. “Instead of trying to do one and then the other, why not do both? It seems to be a win-win situation, but you’ve got to have people who think outside the box.”

Local legislators all say they want to see VLTs. Kemp Hannon (R-Hempstead), who represents a portion of Franklin Square, said he was totally in favor of them. “It’s a key opportunity to develop the site and catalyze economic growth in both Elmont and the surrounding communities, while providing more money for area school districts,” Hannon said. “For years now we’ve been asking the state for the same deal afforded to New York City and Yonkers. Long Islanders should not be shortchanged.”

To VLT proponents, the questions are simple. If one racetrack with video lottery terminals can bring in millions for a cash-strapped state, couldn’t two racetracks bring in millions more? And why hasn’t it happened yet?

It can’t be for lack of enthusiasm. Elmont has a reputation — both with the governor’s office and with state legislators — as a squeaky wheel. It’s a town unafraid to voice its opinion. The numerous civic groups in the area, all dedicated to quality-of-life issues, are a testament to residents’ willingness to fight. Local leaders recognize that an apparent clear majority of the community would like to see VLTs up and running.

Part of the problem may be the culture in Albany. It’s easy to blame the state’s intractable political system for failures downstate, but in this case there is a direct correlation. Republicans accuse Democrats of being in disarray, Democrats claim obstructionism on the part of the Republicans, and neither side appears willing to be the first to engage the other.

In 2009, a provision to allow VLTs to be installed at Belmont was stripped from the state budget late in the process of finalizing spending. Republicans immediately pounced, holding a press conference attacking Democrats for putting party politics above the good of the state.

A short time later, state Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Garden City) sponsored legislation to allow VLTs to be installed at Belmont. The bill, which was recently passed by the Senate’s Racing and Wagering Committee, is now working its way through the Finance Committee.

Two sides. One goal. Still no action. What gives?

Rich Azzopardi, Johnson’s director of communications, said he believes the legislation would pass the Senate if it could make it to the floor. What it really needs, Azzopardi said, is a sponsor in the other chamber.

“What we need is a partner in the Assembly,” Azzopardi said. “It’s out there; we’re not picky. We’ll work with anyone. There’s no tricks to this legislation.”

One Assembly member, Tom Alfano (R-North Valley Stream), has made the revitalization of Belmont Park and the surrounding area one of his signature issues. But Alfano’s chief of staff, Scott Cushing, said that the bill currently in the Senate does not do enough for the surrounding community to justify its passage.

“Is there a will to do it? Absolutely, but we can’t just pass a bill that just says, ‘Put in VLTs,’” Cushing said. “The problem there is that there’s no investment in the community. This has got to be a holistic approach, not just a piecemeal approach.”

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