NYC OTB employees given Pink Slip
 

Is this really the end of NYC OTB? Better empty out those phone accounts.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008...kers_told.html

I really hope it is. . . because i'm not f$%^&* paying to save them with an increased take-out.

NYRA is going to be the big loser in this.

“What is the defensible position?’’ Lieber said at the Capitol June 3. “What is the public policy that is served by taking taxpayer dollars and supporting a public bookie and taking it away from police officers, teachers, and others? I don’t think there’s a defensible position to do this, and the mayor won’t do it. This is not a bluff.”

When asked about NYRA’s claims that the $12-million loss will affect its bid to get out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Lieber said: “What do you think the impact on NYRA will be if they get no distributions?’’

Yet another person who has a firm grasp on the situation.

The chasm between perception and reality in this situation is fascinating.

Who should we believe? The bloodhorse article with words from the actual deputy mayor or someone connected to NYRA? Seems pretty obvious, the new plan is going to hurt NYRA the most.

http://news.bloodhorse.com/article/45539.htm

NYCOTB is backing the outlines of a plan by Gov. David Paterson to change the way in which its revenue is distributed to various entities, including the state, the New York Racing Association, and a Thoroughbred breeding fund. For NYRA, it is estimated the change will cost it $12 million in lost OTB revenue.

But a top aide to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is warning NYRA and the others have a lot more at stake if NYCOTB closes as the mayor is planning to do in two weeks.

“Everybody’s going to have to compromise, and I think people are very focused on what’s going on in somebody else’s pocket as opposed to what’s in theirs,’’ said Robert Lieber, the deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding.

It's a lot of things but if you step away from it, and forget your personal feelings for a minute, it's actually sort of fascinating.

I really don't want to get into it. To anyone with half a brain, and even an iota of understanding of the situation, things are pretty obvious.

I don't believe that it is even legal for Bloomberg to shut down OTB.

Guess he disagrees. And he is the mayor. Seems he can do whatever he wants considering 99% of the public thinks the government should not be involved with gambling when the operation is losing money.

Tax dollars should not go to subsidize a failed government bookie operation.

You sound like a politician. What are you running for?

Vice-Cigar

If you had any idea what you were talking about, you'd realize that NYC is not losing money with NYC OTB.

It's such a funny conversation.

It's honestly like someone who wants to begin a debate with the basic premise that the sun is purple. It's completely senseless to even talk to the person.

Why are you so elitist on these boards? Not everyone has your cognitive gifts. You're so damn quick to snap and correct people with your snooty sarcasm. Also you're very quick to dismiss racing, and life, for that matter outside of the Empire State.

It's threads like this that make me long for the return of BetterThanHonour.

Why? We have Justin Dew so hilariously carrying the torch, remember?

Maybe you can talk when you contribute to the board, instead of being a respond sniper....

Maybe because he is IN THE KNOW. He has no obligation to say ANYTHING at all, but he doesn't want the common people sounding like idiots when they talk to other people about things that are said on this board.

And for the last line, that is laughable.

It's one thing for people outside of racing to fail to understand the situation, as mainstream media has done a terrible job of reporting about this correctly, but it would be nice if people with an interest in the game took the time to at least try to understand it.

It's frustrating because it's possible that horseplayers will unnecessarily bear the burden of an eminently solvable situation. Hopefully a fair and agreeable compromise will be made.

Would that be the one from the "Land of the Rising (Purple) Sun"?

I'm guessing you are not responsible for bringing the macaroni salad to the Mensa picnic. Do you think these bets will disappear? How about a vast majority goes to NYRA Rewards or ADWs that contribute more to NYRA than NYCOTB.

shoot and Andy's comments werent even directed toward a dt member.. they were about the person quoted in the news story!! and he was absolutely correct!

unbelievable! lovely laurel, if you open your mind a little and look through the occasional sarcasm, you will actually learn a LOT from blackthroat.

Maybe that poster is close to the Deputy Mayor. Thank God someone was here to defend him.

The problem is that now that we get the franchise issue resolved with the State, with long-promised dollars finally going to NYRA, horsemen and breeders, here comes another government agency trying to take that money away. If the short-term consequences of shuttering NYC OTB weren't so significant, I'd love to see the State call Bloomberg's bluff, with someone else (preferably NYRA) taking over NYC OTB.

I completely respect the knowledge of BTW. This is his profession and his opinions add value to this group. Couldn't he respond with more tact? The tone of his replies screams out, "You know nothing, I know most everything, so shut up." Again it's not about the content, it's the delivery!!

Do you know him? that is him, that is his personality, and trust me, he isn't demeaning anyone, he is just being a sarcastic smart ass, I can see how someone maybe misunderstands it being it is a message board, but ole boy doesn't have time to harm anyone, he is watching replays all day :)

His alleged (read: interpreted) 'lack of tact' is one of his most endearing qualities...

What happens to him after a few martinis?

That explains why you haven't gotten sick of me yet..

great line.

How many strikes does Denis of Cork have?


I love baseball!!!

Who am I going to believe,the mayor who just sent out pink slips or a poster on the internet? Tough choice. Bloomberg is an honest guy. Very good mayor.

It is hard to defend operations like NYC OTB and NYRA. They do things like file for bankruptcy. If they can't break even they need to make changes. If that means cutting purses or staff that is their problem. The government isn't here to bail out poorly run organizations. How hard is it to make money with a gambling operation? I don't support gambling if it means teachers and police officers are going to have to pay for it with their salaries.

“What is the defensible position?’’ Lieber said at the Capitol June 3. “What is the public policy that is served by taking taxpayer dollars and supporting a public bookie and taking it away from police officers, teachers, and others? I don’t think there’s a defensible position to do this, and the mayor won’t do it. This is not a bluff.”

This is idiotic on many levels......you are probably correct, a politician would never slant his opinion or stretch the truth to help a negotiation. You can't possibly be this naive.

Not exactly.

Wow, am I reading that correctly? Tough to follow that logic. While Bloomberg is a tremendous businessman, he is also a master manipulator and self promoter. What does OTB have to do with schools and cops? Nothing, but it gives him the opportunity to advance his point of view that gets swallowed whole by the media and an equally gullible public. NYCOTB made is own bed by ignoring customer service and amenities, being a whore house of political patronage and corruption and the ill advised deal for night time signals. OTB is the single worst thing to happen to NY racing (IMO) and if gets tossed in the scrap heap I will not shed any tears.
To be fair, NYRA bears some blame for refusing to get involved at OTBs inception, but certainly NYRA, bettors and the thoroughbred breeders are not the cause of OTB's situation as it stands now.