Middleboro Mashpee Wampanoag Resort Casino

I want to thank you all for coming this evening.  My name is Victoria Bond and I am a Middleboro resident.  This rally was organized by a group of concerned citizens who are dedicated to the future of our town.  We want to see the town of Middleboro grow and forge a future that is prosperous and financially secure.  We believe that if a financially sound agreement can be made with the Wompanoag Tribe, it will benefit us all.

The anti-resort group, casinofacts.org, has been urging people to get the facts.

So, let’s talk about the facts.

Fact:  Our town is in grave financial shape.  We recently had an override defeated.  Our services will again be cut in the coming year by at least 10%.  We are not financially solvent enough to maintain service at previous levels. 

Fact:  We will find ourselves in worse shape this time next year.  We have a substantial deficit that is only going to continue to grow unless we can find a consistent and reliable revenue source.

Fact:  If a reasonable financial deal, that accounts for the expected impacts, can be accomplished, it will provide this town with a consistent and reliable revenue source.

Fact:  The anti-resort group, casinofacts.org, has made it perfectly clear: there is no financial agreement that will satisfy them.  They do not want a resort built on that property.  All of the impacts they have taken great pains to warn us about are clearly not their issue.  They simply don’t want that land to be developed. 

Fact:  The Precinct Street property has been sold.  It belongs to the Wompanoag people.  Glen Marshall has been very clear: if they do not build a resort on that site, they will build something, likely housing.   That housing will bring many of the same impacts you’ve been warned about without any of the financial mitigation.  The financial burden of those impacts will rest squarely on the shoulders of the tax payers of our community.  I fail to see how this is a reasonable alternative.

To call this project a casino is to belittle it.  The anti-resort group, casinofacts.org, has been careful to call it a casino—it suits their purposes.  It is a hot button that can carry with it a large amount of fear.  It also provides a nice sense of moral superiority or “high ground” to those who push it.  This is much more than a casino.  The Wompanoag people plan to build a resort.  A five star, luxury resort that, yes, will offer gaming., but it will offer so much more.  We keep being told to look at Mohegan Sun as an example of how we can be hurt. 

Take a moment to look around at some of the signs here this evening.  They feature some of the things Mohegan Sun has to offer: world class theatre with world class performers, sporting events, spa treatments, professional golf courses, an amusement park, high end shops and superior dining.   

Davy Jones, Cher and Neil Sedaka
click to enlarge

Those are all positives.  Does anyone here really believe that Davy Jones is going to hurt Middleboro?  While the gaming may be the major revenue source it is hardly the totality of the project.

The anti-resort group, casinofacts.org, will soon be touting themselves as the “pro-community” group.  I know this, because their playbook, if anyone is interested, is available at nocasino101.org. and page 2 of this play book states:

‘Begin referring to yourselves as a “pro-community” group, rather than “anti-casino”.  If you are “pro-community”, then the tribe is “anti-community” by inference.  It’s always better to be “pro” something than “anti” something.  We did that out here, and psychologically, it’s terrific.  Even the Press picked up the term after about a year.’ 

This group’s refusal to even entertain a sound financial deal could force the building of additional housing that will put this town in a worse financial position.   That is not “pro-community” but it certainly is “anti-resort”.

The Wompanoag people have big plans for the land that they have purchased.  I know that it is frightening, change always is.  But we, as a group, truly believe that a better deal for this resort will bring with it, a better Middleboro.  I won’t say that this is our last resort, but I do believe that it is our best resort.  Please be sure to find someone with a clip board and sign the petition.  We need to make it clear, there is more than one voice in Middleboro—the voice of reason needs to be heard.

  Thank you.

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