Published in the Middleboro Gazette:

To the editor,

            I would like to address several issues with regard to the casino debate that has been raging in town in the hopes that it might reduce some of the excessive assertions that I find so disconcerting:

            (1)You cannot measure our quality of life by $7+million dollars a year. I suggest that in fact “quality of life” in any community is greatly dependent on public services.  Those services include: a good and well funded school system for our youngsters, a certified library that is able to serve the public at least 6 days per week, a COA that can keep services running for its elderly, a park department that can run a fully funded program so we all can enjoy healthy, safe outdoor recreation, a fire department that can keep all of its buildings open and functioning, and a police department that can operate out of an updated facility.  Need I go on? Those of us who have attended the previous town meetings know how much our town needs revenue for these items that are basic to maintaining or even improving our town’s quality of life.  The Wampanoag already own the land and a casino deal could provide this revenue. If there is no casino and they develop housing on that land, the impact on our community could create an even greater economic drain.  

            (2) Middleboro will lose its bucolic environment. The appeal of the Middleboro site to the Wampanoag is precisely because of its large open natural setting. A casino resort complex could be placed within this setting without making a huge impact on the second largest community in land area in the state. Also, from my studies of Native cultures as an American history teacher, these peoples have shown tremendous respect for the environment in their daily living, unlike most of us deriving from mostly European backgrounds. My opinion is that, had Native Americans been the custodians of our environment for these many years, our current ecological problems would be reduced.  I believe Chairman Marshall when he says that the casino resort will be a “Green” project. Certainly, there will be changes and new problems to deal with, but just because a project is difficult or challenging does not mean it should be immediately abandoned. No new enterprise would ever be initiated if that were the case.

            (3) Local crime will be significantly increased.  From reports I have read and research done by our own police department, it seems to me that this fear has been exaggerated.  From what I have observed when I have visited Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, the security and supervision within these facilities is very good.  According to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (1988), Indian gaming establishments are regulated on 3 levels: the Indian tribes themselves, the State as established through compacts, and the Federal government - through the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Department of the Interior, the Justice Department, FBI, IRS, Secret Service and the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement. Some of the repeated comments at meetings and in the papers that suggest that our town will be overrun with criminals, prostitutes, and inebriated gamblers are vast overstatements.

            (4) Gambling is immoral and therefore should not be allowed in our community. Gaming has been a part of society from its inception.  Gambling has existed from the first time a wager was made on a foot race between ancient Greeks to dice playing during the Revolutionary War by our Patriots, to Bingo Nights at church halls, trips to Fox woods, betting on dog or horse racing, fundraising for local youth events and charity, betting on Super Bowls and other sporting events, and purchasing lottery tickets. Gaming exists. Whether or not it is immoral is a personal matter. It is up to each adult individual to judge for him or herself whether it is appropriate. No one has the right to judge others for taking part in legal gaming in this free and open society.

            (5) Lastly, I would like to respectfully suggest that everyone allow our selectmen to do their jobs.  From my studies in government, it is clear to me that they have done nothing wrong in these preliminary negotiations with the Wampanoag. They were authorized to initiate talks (with the town manager as their agent), while the citizens formed their committee. A basic draft agreement was developed which they did not immediately sign. They hired expert legal help to continue negotiations. They are studying the draft and awaiting their lawyer’s advice before they make a final decision. They have done this with the public’s awareness at open meetings.

We have a long road ahead of us. It is essential to express our opinions as long as we are respectful to one another and that non-elected individuals do not claim to speak for the entire community.  Let us also try to clarify the issues and not sensationalize them. Let us refrain from exaggerations, embellishments, accusations, and hyperbole.  The work ahead of us may be difficult, but if we act reasonably as a community, Middleboro’s future will be brighter.

                                                                        Kathy Ryan

                                                                        Rocky Meadow St.

                                                                        Steering Committee

                                                                        Casino-Friend