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A packed house of close to 850 people grew rowdy in Carle Place High School's auditorium Wednesday night as residents responded vocally -- and politically -- to plans for casino-style gambling in the vacant Fortunoff building on Old Country Road.

"It's critically important that we control this issue for the safety and security of the kids," Carle Place schools Superintendent David Flatley said, citing Carle Place High School's proximity to the proposed casino.

John Hommel, president of the Carle Place Civic Association, which hosted the event, said he wanted residents to explain "what action it is you are taking, or going to take, to help out this community."

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"We are now facing the biggest threat to our community ever," Hommel said. He said the casino will "degrade" and "compromise" the community's way of life. His comments won thunderous applause.

Rich Baldwin, a consultant for Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting Corp., said the location "met all of the criteria we thought would most support a successful operation."

Officials from the Nassau OTB are negotiating to buy the building. The plan calls for 1,000 video slot machines and table games at the site, which would be open 20 hours a day. The proposal calls for using 15 percent of the 200,000-square-foot building for gaming.

When asked if he'd keep the casino out of the Fortunoff building, Baldwin said, "There's every intention of being an excellent neighbor."

He was met with jeers, as some responded, "Go away!" or "Put it in your neighborhood!"

OTB general counsel Arthur Walsh said he wanted to clarify the process. OTB selects the site, he said. The State Gaming Commission has no role selecting the site but it will review it. Walsh said OTB must submit an environmental review to the gaming commission as part of its review.

Walsh, when asked if OTB could be eliminated, said that 225 people would be unemployed. OTB officials have estimated the gaming parlor will add 200 jobs and that Nassau County would receive $20 million in yearly revenues.

Westbury Village Mayor Peter Cavallaro said he and North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth are forming a "legal committee" to review potential litigation options. "I'm hoping OTB sees the light of day."

Bosworth noted legal action could be taken, and said Nassau legislators can remove and replace OTB board members.

Nassau Legis. Siela Bynoe (D-Westbury) said the board members for OTB were serving at the legislature's pleasure and "they should be removed."

She said she filed a resolution Wednesday to remove those OTB board members, saying she hopes "we will have a resolution on the calendar for Monday, Jan. 26, removing those board members."

Someone chanted, "Kick them out." She urged members of the public to attend and support the resolution at the legislature's meeting Monday.

Bosworth said she wants negotiations for the site suspended.

North Hempstead Town Clerk Wayne Wink said residents should urge Nassau legislators to take action Monday.

The meeting, which began shortly after 8 p.m., was in the auditorium of Carle Place High, which seats 600. It was nearly packed, with many standing, and organizers ushered residents to an overflow room that could hold another 120. It grew raucous, with participants standing and shouting.

About three dozen elementary and middle school children were led to the front of the auditorium carrying signs opposing the casino, a move that drew thunderous applause.

The signs read: "Kids against the casino," "Keep us safe and keep the casino away" and "Don't gamble with our future."Some in attendance collected signatures to see if residents wanted to join a lawsuit related to the project, Carle Place resident Joanna Palumbo, 39, said.

She said she thinks crime will increase and property values will fall. Still, a defendant and cause for the lawsuit had yet to be determined. About 10 people were collecting signatures on clipboards.Nassau residents and lawmakers have opposed the project, saying they fear increased traffic and crime, and lower property values. The site is a half-mile from 1,220 homes and less than a half-mile from three schools.