Recent months since Governor Cuomo okayed up to seven casinos for the state have seen the drafting of the resolution New York State voters will vote on November 5 and an increasing number of letters and ads appearing against the idea of casino gambling. There's been news of added endorsements and deal sweeteners out of the Monticello Raceway/Concord Hotel development circle, and from Saratoga... both places that pundits say are assured of getting casinos. Yet no word from the developers of the Nevele's casino plans for Ellenville.

What's up with that? We checked in with Michael Treanor, the main face behind the local effort, who last we heard of was pushing for a state deal that would allow for more than Cuomo's original plan of having three casinos, total, for the entire state. Remember the "2." Campaign?

"I've been based in New York City looking for a solid partner with gaming experience who can provide added capital when we get the go-ahead," Treanor said in a phone interview last week. "I'm driving around the Hudson Valley shoring up support for us and the casino resolution in Dutchess and Westchester counties, as well as downstate."

Treanor pooh-poohed local rumors that he had signed on legendary casino developer Steve Wynn as a partner... or decided to throw in he towel. His investors, ready with $150 million and the ability to debt finance the rest of the nearly half billion needed to get up and running by 2015, are big Wall Street and London-based financial institutions. They, wanting to "make sure," want another partner with deep gambling-related investing pockets involved to make it through the state's RFP process for okaying casino licenses, should the resolution pass.

"Two things are important just now. We need voters to say yes in November and secondly, we need everything in order so Albany knows without a doubt we can build his," Treanor continued. "I can't do either of these things from Ellenville."

This coming Monday, the Nevele honcho said he was meeting with his NYC-based public relations firm to shore up plans for the coming weeks before November 5. Implementation of major ad campaigns around the state, and here, will start within a week after that.

As for whether the various entities vying for gaming licenses are planning to work together to achieve a statewide "yes" to casinos this fall, Treanor said there was movement starting in that direction.

"It's built in our plan," he said. "We're working on all fronts, just not from here right now."