It didn’t take long for sparks to fly at NY1’s Democratic primary debate for Manhattan Borough President (MBP) — and the flashpoint was the future of casinos in Manhattan.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who represents much of the West Side including Hell’s Kitchen, didn’t mince words: “If you want a Manhattan casino, don’t vote for me.” He went on to call the centers for gambling a threat to quality of life, warning they “prey on addiction” and have no place in a residential borough.
His opponents weren’t ready to fold — especially Councilmember Keith Powers, whose district includes parts of Midtown East and is home to one of the proposed casino sites near the United Nations.
