Peaceful existence

UNION SPRINGS - Detractors of the Cayuga Nation's Lake Side electronic bingo hall in the village of Union Springs had predictions: a wave of crime, intolerable traffic jams and teenagers from the Union Springs Central School District sucked into gambling.

But a year after the nation's bingo hall opened, the 86-machine facility's biggest impact appears to be a few extra cars in the village, residents said. While the parking lot at the bingo hall stays busy during its operating hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, the small-scale, class II gaming facility hasn't disrupted life in Union Springs too much.

Since the hall opened May 28, 2004, Cayuga County Sheriff Rob Outhouse and District Attorney James Vargason both reported their offices have not dealt with any felony, misdemeanor or violation crimes stemming from activity at the bingo hall.