NAACP New York State Conference NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE onicers January 13,2015 azeL , DuKES Pree! reawa.nesay Mr. Mark D. Gearan WocsFesce Chairman rare sunonc New York State Gaming Commission 2rveeresdrt One Broadway Center unsses spicer Schenectady, New York 12305 tome aww Dear Mr. Gearan tuor saosin As New York President of the oldest civil rights organization in the nation, I ‘soufeses am alarmed by your decision to exclude the Newburgh area, a community that is 80% African American and Latino, from participating in the competition for the fourth casino gaming license. [tis unjust and f am concemed that it may violate civil rights laws. To that end, [ am secking legal counsel on that question, Your statements suggest that you are limiting the competition to the Binghamton area southern tier because it is an upstate area that is "economically distressed." However, that area is not more economically distressed than the city of Newburgh. Newburgh is a city that has nearly 30% of its residents living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate in Newburgh is also sky high and that, coupled with the poverty rate, has made Newburgh a feeding ground for violent crime and illicit activity. Newburgh has one of the highest crime rates in the nation, For you to bar any proposals for consiceration that could help this ailing upstate community of color is unconscionable . If at the end of the day there is not a worthy Newburgh proposal submitted, or there is a more deserving community than Newburgh , so be it. But to prevent this community from making its case to clear the way for another community harkens back to the days of separate and ‘unequal that the NAACP fought so hard to eliminate, I thought we did better in New York. Please run a fair process and let Newburgh participate, Sincerely, President 1008 Avenue of the Amoticas, Suite 200 » New York, NY 10018 « Telephone: 212.344.7474 « Fox: 212.344 aad7 ‘mail: NYSNAACP@a0l com:orricers AZEL nouns ean 6. MESIM Pee Present ape BLANORIG ‘ies Past vursses spice ‘oat Lorne rat Leroy oapspew 23 Reaess 1066 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 200 + New Vork, NY 10078 « Telephone: 212.3447. NAACP New York State Conference NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED January 13,2015 Mr. Kevin S. Law Chairman New York State Gaming Facility Location Board One Broadway Center Schenectady, New York 12305 Dear Mr. Law: ‘As New York President of the oldest civil rights organization in the nation, | am alarmed by your decision to exclude the Newburgh area, a community that is 80% African American and Latino, from participating in the competition for the fourth casino gaming license. It is unjust and I am concerned that it may violate civil rights laws. To that end, I am seeking legal counsel on that question. Your statements suggest that you are limiting the competition to the Binghamton area southern tier because it is an upstate area that is "economically distressed." However, that area is not more economically distressed than the city of Newburgh. Newburgh is a city that has nearly 30% of its residents living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate in Newburgh is also sky high and that, coupled with the poverty rafe, has made Newburgh a feeding ground for violent crime and illicit activity. Newburgh has one of the highest crime rates in the nation. For you to bar any proposals for consideration that could help this ailing upstate community of color is unconscionable . If at the end of the day there is not a worthy Newburgh proposal submitted, or there is a more deserving community than Newburgh , so be it, But to prevent this community from making its case to clear the way for another community harkens back to the days of separate and unequal that the NAACP fought so hard to eliminate. I thought we did better in New York, Please run a fair process and let Newburgh participate Sincerely, ha ihe Presid 74 ¢ Fax: 212.380.0047 ‘emi: NYSNAACP@aol com