Miff:

To me the beginning of the end of OTB was Mayor David Dinkins' appointment of Hazel Dukes as its head. This was one of the most transparent patronage appointments in the history of NYC, which is saying quite a bit. Ms. Dukes, a respected leader in the Civil Rights movement (an officer of the NAACP, I believe), had never probably been within 50 yards of a horse, a racetrack or an OTB parlor. That type of appointment without merit has plagued a certain current administration.

OTB had a chance to survive maybe 10 years ago as more and more simulcast signals became available. I have always contended that OTB should have initiated a $2 or $5 admission charge and made the places cleaner and more comfortable. On Staten Island, as you probably know, the OTBs for the most part for the last 15 years have been mostly inhabited by a bunch of 70+ year old men who are basically using the parlor as a park bench. They may bet a few bucks a day early in the month, but usually they will tap out by the middle of the month. They will appear each day thereafter to kill time until next month's check arrives.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2006 02:57PM by richiebee.