Probe of NYRA execs may be launched - NYRA may lose slots subsidies

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by Tom

Nice non-answer, Thask.
They fired two guys. Then they get grief for hiring replacements.
Yet you carry on like they have your grandmother held hostage.

What specifically needs to done NOW to stop all the whining?
We are beyond platitudes- we are in the real world now with a real case in front of us
No legal proceeding have been started by the state, have they?
Is a trial scheduled? Are arrest warrants being served?

Or is the state all BS and now walky?

So far blather is all that is going on, while NYRA just continues to put out the best product day after day.

Since when do I have to wait for a trial before I express my anger towards those who stole money from me for 15 months...even though they knew that they were operating "outside the parameters of the law"?

Am I supposed to keep quiet just because NYRA is involved?

Am I supposed to fall for Hayward's and Crist's "stories", that no one knew that a law was being broken...even after 15 months?

Answer me a question, Tom:

If Hayward didn't know that any illegality was taking place...then what exactly was this "secret" that he was asking Crist to keep "quiet"? And why?

But why trouble ourselves with things like this...

Let's rejoice in the anticipation of our first Triple Crown winner in 34 years...

After all...it's our sport's biggest day in a long while.

[chickenhead]

No way Doug O'neill wins the Triple Crown. I trust you to get that part right New York, don't let me down.

[Indulto]

Originally Posted by chickenhead

No way Doug O'neill wins the Triple Crown. I trust you to get that part right New York, don't let me down.

What is it you want them to do besides pre-race testing for TCO2 levels? Don't you think the hore horse is legit?

[MadWorld]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

If Hayward didn't know that any illegality was taking place...then what exactly was this "secret" that he was asking Crist to keep "quiet"? And why?

What I don't understand is if you read his response, does any of it look like he is responding to something being out of the parameters of the law? His response gives the reasons that they would want to lower takeout in general and why the state would be upset at lowered takeout. Does any of the below response make sense in a context that they are hiding knowledge of a requirement to lower takeout from the state?


We originally had thought that we would announce this for Saratoga but politicalforces intervened. Since we are showing substantial losses in 2010 and 2011 and we have beensmacked around by Cuomo (and he could check the SRWB from approving), we decided to wait.Also, the regional OTBs who collectively lost money in 2010 will scream like stuck pigs and thatwould provoke Skelos who is very tight with the guys who run Nassau OTB to introduce anti-NYRA legislation for the benefit of the OTBs. Finally, we are quietly working on a plan to open10 or so restaurant/bars in the city and we did not want the politicos to block this effort.We have some internal debates on how much to lower each pool and how we would present thisto our simo customers, the consumers and the politicos. I would appreciate it if you could keepthese details confidential. I would also welcome a further discussion on this topic with you before the meet is over"

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by MadWorld

What I don't understand is if you read his response, does any of it look like he is responding to something being out of the parameters of the law? His response gives the reasons that they would want to lower takeout in general and why the state would be upset at lowered takeout. Does any of the below response make sense in a context that they are hiding knowledge of a requirement to lower takeout from the state?


We originally had thought that we would announce this for Saratoga but politicalforces intervened. Since we are showing substantial losses in 2010 and 2011 and we have beensmacked around by Cuomo (and he could check the SRWB from approving), we decided to wait.Also, the regional OTBs who collectively lost money in 2010 will scream like stuck pigs and thatwould provoke Skelos who is very tight with the guys who run Nassau OTB to introduce anti-NYRA legislation for the benefit of the OTBs. Finally, we are quietly working on a plan to open10 or so restaurant/bars in the city and we did not want the politicos to block this effort.We have some internal debates on how much to lower each pool and how we would present thisto our simo customers, the consumers and the politicos. I would appreciate it if you could keepthese details confidential. I would also welcome a further discussion on this topic with you before the meet is over"

So much preoccupation with whether or not everything "makes sense"...even though we live in a world where NOTHING makes sense.

Hayward lists his reasons for not lowering the takeouts when he was supposed to...but then denies that he felt legally obligated to lower them at all!

In the email to Crist, he clearly acknowledges that the takeouts provision had sunsetted...and states his reasons for delaying the process of lowering the takeouts until a more "opportune" time comes along.

But later, when this whole thing is exposed by other means, he claims he didn't know that he was legally required to take any action at all. He felt that he was operating "within" the law...even though he had ignored the sunsetting takeouts legislation for 15 months.

Here is another email...which has gotten virtually no mention at all in this whole mess. It comes from association Vice President Elizabeth Bracken, and is directed at another NYRA officer...and it was sent as the takeout provision was about to sunset.

"Takeout legislation sunsets middle of September, but I haven't heard that we intend to lower takeouts."

They didn't INTEND to lower takeouts...choosing instead to steal money from their customers, many of whom had been loyal to them for DECADES!

And we SAY that they kept this charade up for 15 months; who knows how long this "oversight" would have remained in affect, if it wasn't discovered and exposed through an independent, and unrelated, state audit.

The "right" and "just" thing should have been done 15 months prior, but it was delayed...indefinitely.

And, as one of our founding fathers correctly stated..."Justice delayed is justice denied".

[Tom]

SI I ask again.....what SPECIFIC actions will stop the whining?
Not generalities and wishes for a better game and better live for us all....SPECIFIC actions in this SPECIFIC case?

Or is the purpose of all this just to read a selection of e-mails, not all of them, and then try to see if we can figure out what they really meant in them?
Because that is what is sounds like.

[usedtolovetvg]

Originally Posted by Tom

Or is the purpose of all this just to read a selection of e-mails, not all of them, and then try to see if we can figure out what they really meant in them?
Because that is what is sounds like.

The purpose is to give those of us that are unemployed something to do. And, since we are horse players we know the absolute definitive answer, even when the best of us are only right about 15% of the time.

[Indulto]

http://www.timesunion.com/local/arti...AP-3572698.php
NYRA told to come up with reform plan ASAP
James M. Odato May 20, 2012

For the second time this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo presided over a face-to-face meeting with trustees of the New York Racing Association …

In the first meeting two weeks ago, Cuomo stated his position indirectly but diplomatically to a dozen NYRA trustees in Albany. He told them things must change.

But last Friday … He bluntly stated that things will change.

… Cuomo advised NYRA Chairman C. Steven Duncker, and vice chairmen — Michael J. DelGiudice, the speaker's appointee, James P. Heffernan, a Pataki appointee, and Charles Wait and Stuart Subotnick, NYRA appointees — that state control of NYRA is coming, including selecting the next chairman and nominating the next CEO. …

… Cuomo is telling NYRA what to do. He's giving them a week to come up with a fix-up plan that he can stomach, said one person briefed. Trustees may be distracted as they prepare to host the Belmont Stakes because the maintenance union is threatening a job action.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/152316825.html
Belmont Stakes: Shooting the messenger?
Posted by: Rachel Blount May 21, 2012

…

the New York Racing Association sent out a media advisory Monday with instructions on applying for a media credential.

Usually, these things are straightforward. But this one contained an unusual stipulation. "When determining access to the press box and photo room,'' it said in boldface type, "preference will be given to major media outlets and those which have previously demonstrated timely, prudent and responsible coverage of thoroughbred racing on a regular basis.''

That sounds suspiciously like an attempt to bar those who have published something NYRA doesn't like--and there have been many of those stories lately. …

[jeebus1083]

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/152316825.html
Belmont Stakes: Shooting the messenger?
Posted by: Rachel Blount May 21, 2012

Sounds like NYRA is telling the NY Times to go to hell.

[cj]

Originally Posted by jeebus1083

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/152316825.html
Belmont Stakes: Shooting the messenger?
Posted by: Rachel Blount May 21, 2012

Sounds like NYRA is telling the NY Times to go to hell.

...as they should.

[Indulto]

http://www.timesunion.com/default/ar...al-3576481.php
Cuomo, NYRA reach overhaul deal
Governor, state to have control of scandal-plagued association
By James M. Odato May 22, 2012

… Gov. Andrew Cuomo seizes the reins of the private company with the franchise to run the state's three thoroughbred tracks …

… The plan … calls for a smaller board of trustees dominated by government appointees who will assure public control of the association for the remainder of Cuomo's term as governor.

The "turn-around board" will be smaller than the 25-member panel now allowed under NYRA's current structure. It would be in place for three years and would include seven governor appointees, five private NYRA appointees, two members each from the Senate and Assembly majority conferences and two non-voting ex-officio representatives of the horsemens' and breeders' associations …

… Cuomo is expected to emphasize a commitment to the future of the racing industry in New York, which relies heavily on video lottery terminal revenues. …

… The deal gives the governor the power to choose the chairman of the association and nominate the next chief executive officer, who will be chosen following a nationwide search. …

[Tom]

An idiot who has no clue how to run NYS or a plan to fix it is telling other people what to do.......priceless.

Cuomo is an incompetent.
And where is his list of specific line itmes that need to addressed and his list of deliverables for NYRA to provide?

Management 101, Baby Mario.....101.

Open ended objective like this cannot be verified - there is no way NYRA can do it when the results are on the whim of a moron.

[OTM Al]

Originally Posted by Tom

An idiot who has no clue how to run NYS or a plan to fix it is telling other people what to do.......priceless.

Cuomo is an incompetent.
And where is his list of specific line itmes that need to addressed and his list of deliverables for NYRA to provide?

Management 101, Baby Mario.....101.

Open ended objective like this cannot be verified - there is no way NYRA can do it when the results are on the whim of a moron.

All I can say Tom is Sheldon Silver is part of an annoucement calling for transparency and reform. Now that is what is truly priceless.

For those of you who do not live in New York, Sheldon Silver is the long time leader of the Assembly. For some idiot reason NY has a bi-cameral legislature. Not sure any other state has that. It leads to an extra layer of corruption in holding up any and all legislation. Three men in a room (the governor, Assembly leader and senate leader) is the common phrase on how NY government works. Nothing goes to vote unless these guys agree on it and despite governors claiming they are for reform this hasn't changed. Mr. Silver holds the distinction of being the most corrupt politician in the State. He has publically proclaimed that it is not neccessary that he discloses his private business dealings with firm that he is in effect granting State contracts to. And this is a guy calling for reform and transparancy and will help stock the new board. This is great....

[aaron]

Originally Posted by OTM Al

All I can say Tom is Sheldon Silver is part of an annoucement calling for transparency and reform. Now that is what is truly priceless.

For those of you who do not live in New York, Sheldon Silver is the long time leader of the Assembly. For some idiot reason NY has a bi-cameral legislature. Not sure any other state has that. It leads to an extra layer of corruption in holding up any and all legislation. Three men in a room (the governor, Assembly leader and senate leader) is the common phrase on how NY government works. Nothing goes to vote unless these guys agree on it and despite governors claiming they are for reform this hasn't changed. Mr. Silver holds the distinction of being the most corrupt politician in the State. He has publically proclaimed that it is not neccessary that he discloses his private business dealings with firm that he is in effect granting State contracts to. And this is a guy calling for reform and transparancy and will help stock the new board. This is great....

Business as usual.The more things change,the more they stay the same.

[Indulto]

http://www.drf.com/news/new-york-racing-association-agrees-overhaul-board-and-give-control-state
New York Racing Association agrees to overhaul board and give control to state
By Matt Hegarty 05/22/2012

… Under the plan, the board would “revert back to majority private control” after the 3-year term, meaning that NYRA would control the majority of appointments to the board after the legislation sunsets, according to officials.

In a statement, Cuomo called the plan a “reorganization board that will act in the best interests of the members of the public who enjoy horse racing, the taxpayers who support it, and the horses themselves, to make racing in our state the strongest, safest, and most enjoyable in the country.”

… According to a source close to the negotiations, the decision to accept the deal to allow the state to take control of the board for the next three years “at least gives NYRA a seat the table” if the casino agreement is dissolved because of approval of full-fledged casinos. The alternatives were to allow the state to take full control of the board or to face having its franchise revoked. …

I’ll bet that's one “sunset” that won’t be ignored.