House of cards
Good afternoon. Today’s points:
- Bill out to get the dollar bills
- What would you ask Clinton, Trump
- Casino plan dealt a wild card
Daily Point
Bill Clinton buy-in on LI
Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson may be mailing in big bucks from Las Vegas to help Donald Trump win the White House, but Bill Clinton will cajole money directly from Long Island donors next week. Two days after he roots for his wife at the first presidential debate at Hofstra University on Monday, the former president returns for what is likely his last fundraiser on the Island for Hillary Clinton in this election cycle.
The event will be held at the Glen Cove day camp operated by Jay Jacobs, chair of the Nassau County Democratic Party and former state chair. Jacobs says he will raise “north of $500,000” — the goal set by the campaign in the third fundraiser he has hosted this year. The timing, so close to the debate, is not the best, however; donors are seeking the very scarce tickets to the showdown.
Said Jacobs, “I’m waiting for Bill Clinton to ask me for a ticket.”
Rita Ciolli
Making a Point
Casino controversy
Opponents of a Suffolk County Off-Track Betting Corp. casino in Islandia have sued to stop the 1,000 video-lottery terminals from coming online. However, Suffolk OTB and gaming partner Delaware North aren’t slowing down in efforts to get at least a couple hundred machines online by the end of the year.
Attorney and noted process stickler Paul Sabatino, repesenting the opponents, is not seeking a temporary restraining order while he challenges the approval process, and says he won’t in the future.
According to Suffolk OTB president Phil Nolan, work is moving forward. He is obtaining construction and demolition permits to renovate the Islandia Marriott Long Island hotel, which is slated to host the machines.
So as the casino lawsuit moves forward (with a potential court date in October), so does the casino plan.
Lane Filler
Debate Point
You be the moderator for Trump and Clinton
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off on Monday at Hofstra University in 2016’s first presidential debate. Which questions haven’t been asked — or answered? Click here to submit your questions, and we will publish a wide sample of your responses on Sunday.
