Public Comment

I write regarding Robert Cheasty’s Sept. 26 commentary, which is so riddled with untrue statements and outright falsehoods that I feel compelled to respond. 

I have been the general manager of Golden Gate Fields for over 25 years. I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with hundreds of Albany residents over the years, and the racetrack has had the honor of supporting numerous deserving programs that serve Albany children, seniors and other citizens. It is with this respect for Albany voters and the obligation I feel for providing them the truth regarding Golden Gate Fields that I write today. Here are the facts: 

1. Magna (the owner of Golden Gate Fields) has no plans to add casino gambling in Albany. 

2. Our proposal to build a mixed use development on a portion of our 33-acre unused parking lot has been withdrawn. 

3. The race track is not closing. The truth is much of wagering on horse races is now done on the internet which reduces the number of patrons who come to the track. We have spent more than $5 million in the last several years to upgrade and renovate the grandstands, along with building a new state-of-the-art equine medical facility for the 1350 horses on our ground. 

4. Golden Gate Fields is the city’s largest employer and its largest source of revenue. Each year the track contributes over $1 million dollars into the city’s budget, and over a half of a million dollars to the school district. When Cheasty says the city wouldn’t miss the revenue generated by the track—don’t believe him. The only way that revenue would be replaced is out of the taxpayers’ pockets or to severely cut back programs. 

5. According to Cheasty, “environmentally sensitive” development could occur between the track and the freeway. His proposal would put a hotel right on top of Cordornices Creek. 

6. Cheasty misleads Albany residents with his phony proposals that rely on the California State Parks Department or the East Bay Regional Park District to buy our land and convert it to open space. Both agencies have stated they cannot afford to buy, restore, enhance, or maintain any additional property in the Eastshore State Park. 

7. Cheasty and his cohorts are trying to sell the idea of an “open planning process” for Albany’s waterfront. How “open” could it be when the process does not include the landowner? That’s like having your neighbors deciding what they want to do with your house without you being able to participate.  

Don’t be fooled by all the rhetoric and rumor-mongering going on concerning Golden Gate Fields. The truth is no development can happen on our property without your approval. Albany’s Measure C requires voter approval of any zoning change at Golden Gate Fields. Robert Cheasty doesn’t want Albany voters to vote on changes at Golden Gate Fields because he worries voters will not support his narrow vision. 

We at Golden Gate Fields are familiar with horse manure. Robert Cheasty’s diatribe is more of the same. 

Peter Tunney is the general manager of Golden Gate Fields. 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.