Liquor Authority approves liquor sales at Turning Stone Casino

Story Created: May 6, 2010 at 2:09 PM EST

Story Updated: May 6, 2010 at 6:36 PM EST

VERONA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Alcohol will soon be available to those who gamble at the Turning Stone Casino after the New York State Liquor Authority approved an application by "CD Food and Beverage" to sell alcohol everywhere and anywhere at the resort.

There is, however, a stipulation to the license.

CD Food and Beverage will have to pay sales tax on anything they sell at the resort.

Most of the 55 people in favor of the company getting the license spoke Thursday via a webcam from Albany to the State Liquor Authority in New York City.

"I support anything that will provide more sales tax for the area," said New Hartford resident Jay Huggin, who also works at the Savoy Restaurant.

"I fully support the liquor license, because it will allow my guys to continue to work there," said Scott Lupini, who owns a construction company that does business with the Oneida Indian Nation.

Those who opposed the licensing of the newly-formed company also had their say Thursday.

"We have suffered because of the actions of the Oneida Nation," said Gary Greenberg, minority owner of Vernon Downs. "We have to compete against a conglomerate."

"CD Food and Beverage, we feel, is entitled to a license, but we don't feel they can legally use that license at an illegal facility," said Ralph Dittenhoefer of the New York State Restaurant and Taverns Association.

Oneida County Legislator and State Senate candidate Michael Hennessy argued the most. Hennessy said a liquor license that allows resort customers to drink creates even more of an unlevel playing field for area businesses.

"This whole program has not been looked into properly and the issues have not been looked at properly. I request this board delay any decision until it is looked at properly," said Hennessy speaking about the relationship between CD Food and Beverage, the Destito family and the Oneida Indian Nation.

Before his vote Thursday, the State Liquor Authority Commissioner said he understood where many who oppose the application were coming from. However, he added that he feels this set up between the company, the Indian Nation an "example of a collaborative agreement between worlds apart."

The commissioner eluded to the county and its ongoing efforts to collect sales tax from the Oneida Indian Nation and said this agreement achieves that, and allows for the nation to expand.
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