Cellini, podium, voicing his continuing support for a Casino in his town, during the signing of the compact last November

BRIDGEVILLE – Approval of the Wisconsin Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe’s proposed casino near Monticello may be down, but it’s not out yet. That assessment came Wednesday from Thompson Town Supervisor Anthony Cellini, a strong proponent of the project.

“I’m sure the coffin is closed, but the nail’s not in it yet,” Cellini said.

The same sentiment came from Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburg). But, she said it is time for the state to pass a constitutional amendment to allow gaming in New York.

“It’s a valuable economic driver and especially in this point and time when we have a $10 billion deficit, people are going to New Jersey, they go to Connecticut, they go Las Vegas; we’d like them to stay here.

Tribal and state officials have gotten bad vibrations about the US Interior Department’s impending action on the casino-resort in Bridgeville, but Cellini said don’t consider it a dead issue yet.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who has also been a proponent of the Native American casino plan, said the main goal is to boost the economy and bring more jobs to the region. He said he will continue to do what he can to grow the region’s economy.

“Something like this would be important for Sullivan County; something like this if it were done in the right way, if it were done properly, could do something that could be very positive, could generate a lot of additional jobs, could not have any negative effect on any existing operation there, and it could be obviously, something very positive,” he said.

The feds have until late next week to make a decision on the project, which is supported by local and state governments and labor, who believe it will create thousands of jobs and boost the economy.

Owners of racinos, like Monticello Casino and Raceway, say the Indian casino could be the death knell to their enterprises, which also pump millions into the economy.