Casino-Friend.com reader comments

Updated July 12, 2007

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7/12/07

At http://jamesdreynolds.blogspot.com/, he says:

Problems arising: 1.) Oak Point is ready to feed the folks dinner &
bus them in as pro-casino voters.

I'm a resident of Oak Point, and I'd guess that most folks here are pro-casino. It's hardly unanimous though: several folks right on my short little street are definitely against it and at least one is
squarely undecided.

If anything, the "Oak Point vote" might be a big fizzle. Remember, a lot of us here are older and quite a few have health problems. The prospect of standing in a hot field for hours isn't something any of us are looking forward to and folks with health problems have even more reason not to show up. Oak Point voters just might be noticeably
absent on this vote. I personally hope that's not the case, but reality suggests otherwise.

--
Tony Lawrence

7/12/07

Mr. Brown,

You are absolutely correct when you state that we are not marrying the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. These are "hardball" negotiations between the town of Middleborough and the investors who are fronting the millions of dollars to fund the construction, infrastructure and launching of the casino. The investors want to spend the least amount of money possible and the town wants to gain the most amount of money possible. This is purely contract negotiation and there isn't any room for feelings, perceptions and sensibilities on either side. As the saying goes, "there's no crying in baseball"; well, "there's no whining in contract negotiation".

Have a good day!

Leeann Bradley

7/12/07

OK, I know some folks aren't going to like this, but I have to reference that old saying about "a bird in the hand".

Seven million dollars isn't chump change. It may not be the "right" figure, but whatever the figure is, I'd personally rather have a guarantee (with inflation protection) than a percentage. Why? Because I think there are more casinos coming behind this one - it's supply and demand, and while the demand probably stays fairly constant, supply is likely to increase, and if that's true, a percentage of revenues is going to worth less and less.

Maybe we need more than 7 million. I don't know, but I'm pretty sure we don't need tens of millions or hundreds of millions. Another phrase comes to mind about killing a certain goose who laid unusual eggs.

It's bad enough that Middleboro may screw up this opportunity because of the opposition of people who don't see reality; it's going to be really disgusting if it is screwed up by unbridled greed.

--
Tony Lawrence

7/12/07

Lets get this straight, I just want the first agreement as put forth as it was meant in FAITH.

From the beginning I thought having the Wampanoag resort coming here was a good fit for both the Tribe and Middleboro residents. An initial draft was proposed and put forth without the full consideration and research of the total infrastructure cost needed to develop this project. The tribe's intent from the beginning was to pay for it all with no burden to us. Now a more extensive study was done to access the cost. If the Wampanoag's think I will vote in favor of them not funding the total cost needed to develop the roads and infrastructure services needed, I changed my mind on the vote. This and the fact the 1 to 2 percent coming from the state's take negotiated in the first draft is something we cannot count on if approved. I would think a slot tax instead would be justified if the state negotiation did not pan. We were surveyed via a phone call last week. That survey is now skewed by at least our family's vote and I'm positive many others. If you think Class two gaming will attract the real money, there are plenty of other venues that offer that. The resort will suffer.

Good luck New Bedford.

Rich Gordon
Middleboro

7/11/07

The home page of CasinoFacts.com states that its purpose is ‘to bring attention to the well-documented negative effects’ of large casinos. Some may take issue with the name of the site – but its position is pretty clear once you get there. The articles, stories, studies, etc. all provide support to this viewpoint.

The home page of Casino-Friends offers ‘news and opinion plus a forthright discussion about the pros and cons of a Middleboro Casino’. At first glance, this site looks pretty unbiased and committed to showing both sides. There are resources for problem gambling, news updates, comments and questions from both sides of the issue. If you look closer, though, you may start to notice something. It appears to me that in most cases the pros and cons are discussed in the following way: 1. Statement of the negative effect (crime, traffic, etc.) 2. Brief discussion of the negative effect 3. Rebuttal or solution to the negative effect. The net effect of this is that the pro casino view always gets the last word. Problem presented, problem discussed, problem solved.

The latest news is currently the Enterprise story where the Tribe accuses CasinoFacts of being responsible for the disruption caused by Amelia Bingham at the powwow on Saturday. If you read the story, you will find no supporting evidence for this claim. If you look on Casino-Friends, accompanying this story are not one, but two (nearly identical) pictures of CasinoFacts president Jacquie Tolosko standing next to Amelia Bingham. None of the other news stories have one, let alone two pictures. What is the purpose of this except to present a case of guilt by association?

If you go to the comments section, where both pro and con statements are welcomed, the letters in support certainly outnumber those opposed. But really, would you expect a website called Casino-Friends to be visited more by people with pro or anti casino views?

Please feel free to draw your own conclusions as to the impartiality of this website.

Thank you for printing my letter,

Christopher Ricco

Middleboro, MA

Response:

To address your last point about putting the pictures of Amelia Bingham and Jacquie Tolosko online along with the story: these aren't just pictures of these individuals sitting or conversing with each other. They show them standing side-by-side while Amelia Bingham makes comments at a town meeting on the casino. I wanted to enable readers to enlarge them and judge for themselves whether Ms. Tolosko's assertion (as follows) tells the entire story:

Do I know her? Yes. Do I think she's wonderful? Yes. Her agenda is to make sure the tribe has a voice. My agenda is to make sure the residents have a voice.

Next It appears to Mr. Ricco that in most cases the pros and cons are discussed in the following way:

1. Statement of the negative effect (crime, traffic, etc.) 2. Brief discussion of the negative effect 3. Rebuttal or solution to the negative effect. The net effect of this is that the pro casino view always gets the last word. Problem presented, problem discussed, problem solved."

It is up to CasinoFacts to rebut my rebuttal if they choose to do so on their own site, or for they or others to send in their counter-arguments for publication on this page or both. For example, I wrote a rebuttal (READ HERE) to Mark Belanger's rebuttal of Wayne Perkin's address given at the selectman's meeting.

I'm not going to rebut myself.

Lastly, as for the number of pro letters outweighing the number of con letters being a function of the name and orientation of the website indicating anything in particular, I have no way of determining this. I've never claimed that the opinions expressed in the letters represent any kind of poll.

7/10/07

I have lived in the town of Middleborough all my life. My father was born in this town. I have tried to instill the love of this community to my son.

What bothers me, is that my son may not be able to afford the taxes in this town while raising three children.This is a problem that many people have here.

The estimated median household income in Middleborough for 2005, was $59,700.00

The average wages paid for an employee at the Connecticut casino's was $38,420 in 2006. A household could make twice that much by having two members at a casino or resort in this town. As of June 14, 2007, 10,020 employees were employed at Foxwoods.

$208 million dollars came from Massachusetts residents, $696 million came from Connecticut residents and $18 million came from Rhode Island residents in expenditures. In Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, in the year 2006, $838 million dollars was the annual payroll. These fiqures come from the June 14, 2007 , Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. from the Economic Impact Summit.

As an individual, I look at what the Wampanoag's are proposing to this town as a business. Since when, do people try to keep business's out of towns in this day and age? What we need to look at is the financial package being offered to the town and state. Most businesses come in looking at what Tax Incentive Funding (TIF) we will give them for the privilege of building here. Eleven businesses have these TIF's right now in our town.The Tribe has offered us money to build here.

This financial package offers an opportunity to the town for betterment in services, education, infrastructure, culture, entertainment, help to take care of elderly needs and help to enrich our childrens lives. It, also, brings diversity to a town that has had very little exposure to over the years. But times are changing and diversity is now the norm.

The town has really grown over the years and will continue to grow with or without a casino.

This business of a museum, golf course, resort, theater, fine restaurants, fine stores, tourism packages, soccer fields, educational seminars, conference center, water park and casino with thousands of jobs with good wages and good benefits, good tips, good opportunities for all the people that want jobs to provide a circle of revenue to live the "American Dream" in this area is a reality that we need and should attempt to negotiate for the betterment of this town. The casino is just one tiny portion of the business being offered.

Change is going to come, whether we like it or not. We have the land and the rural setting that people have been moving to for a number of years now. From 1996 to 1999 there were 325 single family homes built here. From 2000 to 2006 there were 611 single family permits taken out to build in this town. These new homes represent larger expenses. The children in these new homes cost approximateley $ 6,000 a year to educate in the public school system, per child and the taxes from these new homes run approximately $3,400.00 per year. This business can offset the larger expenses.

The community needs to look at what will happen if the business does not come here.

We will still have housing that requires services, infrastructure improvements, town expenses, new schools and many other expenses. Where is the money going to come from these? The answer is higher taxes and many more layoffs and services being cut.

Environmental impacts, financial impacts, infrastructure impacts and other situations are all being studied and negotiated into the financial contract being negotiated.

My research has given me the opportunity to open my mind to the positive influences this business can provide to the entire community.

The positive impact of this business far out weigh the negative.

Sincerely, as an individual

Judith Bigelow-Costa

7/9/07

Folks,

I want you to notice something about the articles and letters on this site: you'll find BOTH sides of the issue here. Hal Brown (the webmaster) publishes letters from people who don't want the casino as well as those that do. Hal himself is pro-casino, but he publishes email from those who are not.

Try to find the "pro-casino" view at the mis-named "casinofacts" site. I tried to find anything and failed - it's all one sided and all negative as far as I can tell. Maybe I missed something - if I did, please correct me and point it out. If I did, it can't be much, and some folks here have stated that the "facts" site has refused their pro-casino comments - what does that tell you about their real agenda?

Is it really facts?

So which website deserves your support, no matter which side you are on?

--
Tony Lawrence

Hello,

I have called and left messages at Middleborough’s state senator and representatives offices requesting there assistance in handling the Casino Contract vote question. Currently there is no place in Middleboro that can accommodate the quantity of voters anticipated to attend the town meeting scheduled for the 28^th of this month. I have requested that they look into a law that would allow casino related questions to be raised at town meeting to be placed on a special ballot. This would allow a maximum of voters to the opportunity to vote on a question that will change Middleborough. Those who wish to be heard on the subject could be heard at informational and discussion meeting broadcast on cable. I encourage others to do the same. This is not pro or anti casino, it is for the voters of Middleboro.

Thank you,

Bob Dunphy - (508) 819-3000 (Please note the phone numbers are from http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm) Senator Marc R. Pacheco (617) 722-1551 Representative Thomas J. Calter :- precincts one and five 617-722-2425 Representative William M. Straus:- precincts three and six 617-722-2320 Representative Stephen R. Canessa:- precincts two and four 617-722-2460

7/9/07

I hope that the people of Middleborough realize that the resort casino may come if we want it or not and that the vote that is about to take place can truly make or break our town.

I support the resort casino and the main reason is to bring forward a steady revenue source. As a public school teacher in this town, I am sickened by the fact that our community does not want to properly support our children by providing them with the best education possible. The school department has been forced to make cuts for many years and now we are at our wits end. We have lost supplies, equipment and now staff. This is a crucial time considering that the Massachusetts Department of Education is upping the ante for MCAS.

I went through Middleborough High School (MHS) is the early nineties when our budget was in a similar circumstance and I know that I was deprived of opportunities because of that. My family could not afford the $100/sport since they had three student-athletes in the high school and one in elementary school.

MHS has lost so much over the years. As we fight to provide our students with the best education possible we are cut short by a lack of funding from the town and state. The failed override has hurt us in many ways. I see the financial opportunity of the resort casino as a way for the citizens of Middleborough to right the wrong of not passing the override. If they fail to accept the offer of the Wampanoag Tribe then they are yet again saying that we are not going to support the students in this town. One question I am curious about, do the anti-casino folk send their children to Middleborough Public Schools and will continue to do so? If not, then WHY??

I’d like to close by stating that not supporting the override or the resort casino is going leaving our students without the tools to make ALL our students successful.

Thank you for your time and effort to present the FACTS to the citizens of Middleborough!

Respectfully,

Melanie R. Furlong

7/9/07

To the person who says there was little or no reaction to the Pro-Casino float:

Perhaps you were standing in a group of anti-casino folks.

You couldn't have been walking with the float as I was.

I heard people shout "Casino yes" and similar sentiments.

Many people returned our "thumbs up" gestures (and yes, there were "thumbs down" people too).

I agree that some simply said "Happy Fourth" or just clapped as they did for every float, but there was undeniable support and pro-casino sentiment also.

There are people opposed, and people in favor.

I don't know what the real percentages are, but I do know from the parade and my experiences at rotary rallies that there is real and genuine support here.

A lot of people recognize that there are benefits to be gained and don't have their head in the sand hoping that Middleboro's fiscal problems will go away by themselves.

--
Tony Lawrence

7/8/07

When I first heard of the proposed casino, I was neither anti or pro casino. I do, however have an interest in bettering the town in which I live with my wife and two young sons, own property and had hoped to see an improved lifestyle in my neighborhood. So, I went online and looked at the economic data for Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. My education is in economics, so I set out to educate myself on the topic. One of the most interesting studies is HERE and many economic studies relevant to the topic and the region can be found at http://www.umassd.edu/cfpa/economic.cfm.

I want to state that I believe that the economics speak for themselves. And I must ask the question, is Middleboro a better or worse place than it was 5 years ago? I live in the downtown area, and I have seen obvious drug dealing on Pierce Street every night during the summer, in the open I might add, within the "drug free zone" that exists within the perimeter of the school street school and a mere two minute walk from the police station. I was informed by a uniformed Middleboro Police Officer that "the narcotics detectives are aware of it". I discussed this with a selectman, and some time later, the drug dealers were no longer at their usual spot and I didn't see them again. That story aside, when rival drug dealers get into violent altercations in the downtown area, it speaks of an element that is not suitable for a "family friendly" town. It speaks of a poor education system, and overburdened police force, and a lack of economic opportunity. The town is under financial strain and there is little chance that our current tax base will support our needs now or in the foreseeable future.

The economic studies cited above are relevant to the Middleboro casino issue, in particular the UConn study which found compelling evidenciary data concerning the creation of jobs (both casino and non-casino), the lift to property values in the surrounding communities and an overall increase in spending in the state, as a result of the development and operation of the tribal casino. This is in addition to whatever direct contribution the casino makes to the town both in infrastructure and their contribution to the town. The overall benefits to the region and the state of Connecticut are there in understandable terms and presented clearly in text, data and graphically. As someone who is familiar with the economic benefits of infrastructure improvements, I would refer again to the UConn study of Foxwoods, in 1999 the increased cost due to traffic congestion on a 14 MILE STRETCH OF ROUTE 2 was $53,000 dollars, approximately. When I looked at the hearsay in casino.facts.org, I see a very selective economic data from California Tribal casinos (Ever hear of a little town called Las Vegas or the border town called Reno?), quotes from the state treasurer regarding the impact on the state lottery, and the fact that New Jersey has casinos and has had state budget problems (are they in fact related to one casino in a rural town?). And there is no discussion of the impact of two Connecticut casinos on the New Jersey casinos. There is a lot in the casinofacts.org website, but there is a great deal of selected information, hearsay, and fearmongering. While I went ahead and looked into the real facts, examined the data and the methodology, casinofacts.org highlights a lot of newspaper editorials, which can hide someones or some corporations hidden agenda.

When I first moved to Middleboro, I saw a town on the verge of becoming thriving. I saw vacant storefronts, ready to be revitalized. The town is languishing, most of those same storefronts are still vacant. It has been over 6 years since I moved here, and quite frankly I don't see signs of improvement, quite honestly I see the economic situation deteriorating. If anyone is concerned about the "bad element" a casino is alleged to bring to a town, I invite you to educate yourself by spending a Friday or Saturday evening along Center Street. Then do some research about Middleboro, http://www.selfhelpinc.org/Middleborough.html.

Regarding gambling statistics, I think there is some selectivity and distortion of facts in casinofacts.org. The citation of Jackpot: Harrah's Winning Secrets for Customer Loyalty, Robert Shook; in particular is a study of the Harrah's casinos. To summarize the facts, yes people gamble, some on slot machines, others on football, still others toss $20, $50 or $100 at state sold scratch tickets. The reason they do is called Intermittent Reinforcement. The house wins, always. Some people are hooked on gambling. Harrah's is a well-run business that knows how to maximize profits for its shareholders. Currently millions upon millions (if not billions) of dollars are being spent by Massachusetts residents at Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Las Vegas casinos, Atlantic City Casinos and others, not to mention the state lottery. Clyde Barrow of UMass Dartmouth estimates $1.5 billion in potential revenue from a Massachusetts casino CLICK HERE

Perhaps Middleboro could stand to gain a bit from our piece of the action.

Kevin L. Eachus.

7/8/07

To Casino-Friend:

I am a resident of Middleborough and attended the July 4th parade as well. It was my observation that as the Pro-Casino float went by, there was very little if not no reaction at all. As for those folks who did respond, it was more of a "happy 4th of July" comment, not "we love the idea of a casino ruining our town" response....

This event is a family orientated affair and should not have been a platform for pro or opposed casino in the first place. We were there to have a good time and I found it to be in poor taste that the pro-casino folks entered the parade and subjected us to their beliefs.

I am definitely opposed to the casino and will let my voice be heard where and when it matter but in a forum that is appropriate to the topic. NOT THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE.....

Keep up the good work Casinofacts.org...

Todd Edington

7/8/07

To Casino-Friend:

I need to start with a pro-casino question that was posed to me over the phone the other day by a public opinion group.

I was asked "do you feel that support for the casino is owed the local Native Americans because the land was theirs and was unfairly taken away?"

I feel guilt everyday for three and four hundred year old sins of people who may or may not have been my ancestors.

The guilt I feel may not be strong as eating the last cookie from the jar but hey, I feel their pain.

Sarcasm aside, we cannot right every wrong done by people long dead. We should not even attempt to open this can of worms.

If we attempt to right the wrongs of our past, should we start with the families of indentured servants not released when their time was up? How about african american slaves?

The families of tories who believed differently than the revolutionists? People of different faiths that were forced to pray to gods they did not believe in? (Or even worse, move to Rhode Island)

These are all two, three and four hundred year old sins that we cannot begin to rectify.

How about the sovereign land question.

If the land becomes federally protected can the Native Americans woo business such as restaurants, quaint shops, light industry, to set up shop on their land?

Will these competitive industries to our own existing industries be subject to local taxes?

For example, if the tribe decides that the best way to gain additional revenue is to open an outlet style mall beside their resort or in their resort will this be taxable?

How will the local downtown businesses feel if a trading post with arts and craft items made outside the area are sold at a discount rate? Or for instance, Domino Pizza with local delivery?

There are many small businesses that would want to move into retail space on tribal lands if they can save on their taxes. This type of simple questions are not being addressed.

I asked this above question recently to a supporter and I was told "The tribe only has interests in a casino and resort. They have no interest in any other business."

I hate to point this out but the tribe, as soon as it opens a business such as a casino, can longer be allowed to be viewed as a tribe.

It must and I stress must be looked at as a business. The people running the casino will have backers who will be looking for a return on their investment. If the resort and casino do poorly, they will be looking for any and all creative ways to increase their profit.

If the casino does well, they will be looking for ways to reinvest their money to make more money.

Traffic? Oh, don't even get me started with the 495/24 bottle neck.

I can go on and on.

I may be ignorant about the subject.

Some of my fears may unfounded or downright wrong. I just feel strongly that better answers are due the residents of Middleboro.

I feel that the speed of the negotiations say much about the situation as a whole. As I once heard the former town employee recently retired say "sometimes the people don't always know what is best for them" (I may have the quote slightly wrong but it is pretty close.)

I disagree.

Danny Smith

Middleboro, MA

7/7/07

I have been asked numerous times why I am in support of a resort located in Middleboro.

My name is Michael Quish, owner of MSM Exec Limousine, RT 44 Raynham, MA. I amlocated about 5 miles from the proposed resort site in Middleboro. I fully support a resort being located in Middleboro MA for the following reasons.

After educating myself on the resort issue, mostly from reading media reports and websites, I felt compelled to get involved because there is a lot of bad information being passed around.

I have been in the transportation industry for 28 years, mostly as a chauffeur up until 4 years ago when I started my own company. I have driven taxi's ,limos, courier service and tractor trailers.

I feel I am more experienced than most with travel to casinos in CT, resorts on Cape Cod or hotels in our area. In my years of driving clients to meetings, functions, conventions or just to have plain adult entertainment at a casino resort, I have never encountered the one of the controversial issue facing this project: Traffic!

Let me explain my experience. I feel resort destinations are designed with traffic in mind. They are made to be easy in and easy out. They do not want people waiting in traffic which would be bad for their business. I know I would rather watch a local sports team on TV than fight that traffic over in Foxboro. So I do not go there unless its a paying client wanting to. I avoid that area when ever they have a venue.

I know for fact that this type of traffic situation is brought on by thousands of people converging on one little area all at once and trying to get in there at the same time. Boston, Fenway, and Mansfield all have the same problem.

I have 150-200 estimated trips to resorts, casinos and other venues in this area, 2000 trips if you count my two years experience living in Reno, Nevada driving taxi working the casinos daily.

At a resort type destination the traffic comes and goes in spurts, even on their biggest events, I have never seen a traffic tie up. The destinations are designed to be traffic jam free. I would like to invite 24 people on a fact finding mission any night or day they choose. I will take them on a bus ride to CT to see for themselves. They will understand after this trip how it is designed and planned out to be as easy as possible. They will be surprised as to the misinformation being laid out to them through hearsay.

The other issue I have read it won't bring jobs to our area or that they will be low paying jobs.

From my experience there are some very lucrative jobs at casinos. Also, casino workers have too have a background CORI check. They are working in an establishment dealing with the public and money it would be only make sense that before a hotel lets someone in to handle money or even clean a room they know who they're hiring.

My company will benefit greatly from a local destination resort. I am in the business of transportation. I move people from one destination to another mostly to and from airports. Our limousine industry is struggling with higher costs and less work. We need a venue like this to help. My airport trips would increase, I am sure of this considering all the trips we do from Logan to Foxwoods.

In summary, I feel this project can bring nothing but good to our area. I see no downside to it at all. I do not believe the things I read anymore because for me with 28 years experience the studies, reports and peoples fears, just don't make sense to me.

Thank You

Michael J Quish

Page 2: Earlier letters

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