On Tuesday, December 6, the Onondaga County Legislature in New York State voted 11-8 in favour of a non-binding approval for prospective racino developer Paul Wilmot to seek the state's eighth and final harness racing licence

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According to a report by local ABC affiliate News Channel 9, Wilmot's proposal to build a multi-million-dollar Westin hotel beside the Oncenter in Syracuse could have played a big part in the county legislature voting for approval.

Wilmot was able to address the legislature before the vote.

"You can vote 'no' and vote for the status quo," he said. "Or you can vote 'yes' and vote for $200 million investment in this community. You can vote yes to hundreds of local jobs. You can vote yes for a first-class downtown hotel that will let the Oncenter reach its full potential and stop requiring an annual multi-million dollar subsidy from the county."

(With files from ABC News Channel 9)

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