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Middleboro Mashpee Wampanoag Resort Casino
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Middleboro Mashpee Wampanoag Resort Casino
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Updated July 19, 2007
When you email us, please let us know whether you will permit us to publish your letter and name with our answer on Casino-Friend.com. We have no affiliation with the Mashpee Wampanoag or the Town of Middleboro, so cannot answer questions for either group. Abusive or profane letters will not be published. Names are required. Once submitted for publication letters will not be removed except under extraordinary circumstances. About the formatting: You will begin to see some differently formatting letters. This is because it is quicker and esier for me to copy letters directy from email instead of taking the time to reformate them for the Internet. I can get them online more rapidly if I do it this way. 7/19/07 From Kathy Foye responding to article onCasinoFacts: The effect of a large market, tax-exempt casino of the type being proposed for Massachusetts is very different to that of a smaller facility located in a very rural area or commercial(Vegas) facilities. Most studies will average the effect of all types of casinos - which is important to keep in mind when reading any casino research. A large market/mega casino will: We have this already with Oak Point -- and they have demonstrated that fact! Given that the only draft agreement we have seen already obligates us to work on the Casino's behalf to one level or another --- we should all be very concerned about our ability to control our own destiny. Working WITH them, on our own behalf, is just good sense. They DO NOT need us to do this -- but want to be good neighbors. Effect of a large market, tax-exempt casino of the type being proposed for Massachusetts is very different to that of a smaller facility located in a very rural area or commercial(Vegas) facilities. Most studies will average the effect of all types of casinos - which is important to keep in mind when reading any casino research. A large market/mega casino will: Cause The Host Community To Lose Control Of Their Town Given that the only draft agreement we have seen already obligates us to work on the Casino's behalf to one level or another --- we should all be very concerned about our ability to control our own destiny. Beyone the costs which are easy to define(schools, police, fire, etc) there are intangibles that are every bit as important but hard to quantify. There is the light pollution. There is the traffic and related dangers. There is the increased housing that will come. There is the 40 story building jutting out of our country side. These are real effects that need to be compensated for. The benefits of the Federal and State monies that the Native's are now entitled to more than out-weighs the drain on our economy. Unfortunately, the size of the building will be a major change in the look of the land, but we are working with them to minimize this impact. Raising the highway -- which we all know is a need -- will reduce the look of the building a little on that side. Hurt Our State's Families
But while these problem gamblers are very lucrative for the industry, their addiction leads to crime, distressed families, suicide and bankruptcy.9 Non-gamblers are left paying the tab for these costs through higher taxes. With 16 percent of adults leaving the state to gamble in the past year, advocates argue that legalization would "recapture" lost revenue from these gamblers and generate $350 million in income to the state from slots alone.10 On the surface, that appears to represent only a $475 annual loss per player. But industry executives will tell you that 85 percent of their revenue comes from 20 percent of the players.11 For the state to make its $350 million on slots after payouts, 147,000 gamblers - about 3 percent of the entire adult population - have to lose a total of $496 million. That's an average annual loss of $3,374 apiece. Adding slots to Massachusetts' revenue mix is equal to raising taxes on the average player by 62 percent.12 It s a massive tax increase pitched as entertainment. The bottom line is whether you are a gambler or a non-gambler, we all will be paying a lot more in taxes if casinos are legalized This is nonsense, and it is a gut reaction of fear. Looking around you will find that those who will be addicted stand in the line for lottery tickets every day. They aren't waiting for a Casino to corrupt them. Many of us go to these places for entertainment and never touch the gambling aspect. It is WHO you are that will determine what you do. References
7/19/07 "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" I know that some folks don't believe that the Wampanoags are coming They also will point out that words were spoken about going to New I urge all of you to read both letters that are referenced on the Finally, I ask you to consider one very important fact about the other What do you get if you won't allow a contract and they come anyway?
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7/19/07 Attn Mark Bellanger, http://cfowebmaster.blogspot.com/2007/07/if-we-say-no-will-they-come.html Are you sure it's not coming no matter what? Your trying to run indians off there ancestral lands again, You just have to read some Indian history and learn about Heart! and I'm not talking about what's in your chest. I give you alot of credit, you have Heart in trying to stop this but you don't own the land and it is theirs - again it can be class 2 gaming now and we know class 3 is around the corner so what makes you so sure their not going to say we have so much time and planning it has to be here. Middleboro needs an agreement Ledyard thought like you and look at them now please don't fool people with jumbled words. The history of legalized gaming in southeast Connecticut is quite an interesting one. It is a story of determination, dedication, and, no pun intended, a little luck. One thing remains persistently true, the Pequot Nation has consistently pursued bigger and better means of successful gaming and resort creation. In other words, the history of Foxwoods Resort and Casino is a history of more than the history of a dollar and a dream, rather it is a metaphor for an even more powerful history, the history of a once forgotten people. Southeast Connecticut's Foxwoods Casino began in spirit, in 1983. During this year, the Pequots began to discuss the viability of an on-reservation Bingo facility. The Manshatucket Pequot Tribal Council agreed to finance such an enterprise, but the State of Connecticut, and its attorney Austin J. McGuigan vowed to fight their attempt. The State threatened to prosecute the Tribe if they attempted to open a Bingo Hall, a move that the Tribe responded to by entering Federal District Court to gain an injunction to end the threats. The whole court struggle called into question issues pertaining to land rights and jurisdiction, specifically, does the State of Connecticut have the right to govern Pequot Nation land? Despite the expected favorable ruling, the Pequots failed to gain the nearly $4 million dollars in loans they need to open the bingo hall. When the favorable ruling finally came, in 1986, the funding came through and the Bingo Hall was born. It quickly became one of the nation's most profitable Indian Bingo operations. It grossed nearly $13 million in 1987, yielding $2.6 million in profits. The revenues continued to grow, yielding over $4.5 million a year and constantly expanding into what finally became the Foxwoods High Stakes Bingo and Casino. This facility, although lacking slot machines, was the only east coast casino offering poker. Its success, in all areas of gaming (roulette, poker, craps, blackjack, and bingo) was unprecedented. The complex also included a museum, a few restaurants, and a retail boutique. This Casino, built adjacent to the old Foxwoods Bingo Hall opened in 1996 was a major attempt by the Mashantucket Pequot to yield significant financial gain from organized gaming. It was a success, and succeeded in employing nearly 2,00 residents from the region. Michael Quish 7/18/07 Our friends, the Wompanoag tribe are asking for The pros and cons of any business proposal should be Listen carefully to the detractors. Most of their " The focus should be our friends the Wampanoag's. The If feel it is time for these self-serving anti casino Middleboro should be doing everything in their power Yellow Feather....we owe you this and a lot more... John Ferguson
7/18/07 Feeling the need to have my voice heard on the issue of a Wampanoag Resort coming to our quaint little town of Middleboro, May I take a moment to set some history in motion.
7/18/07 On Tuesday July 17th, 2007 I obtained nomination papers for the September 29th Middleboro recall election and will be running against Selectman Steven Spataro. The reason for seeking a seat on the Board of Selectmen is because of what I perceive as fiscal irresponsibility and a lack of concern for the citizens of Middleboro. An example of these concerns is the upcoming July 28th Town Meeting. On the morning of July 9th I contacted the office of Massachusetts State Senator Marc R. Pacheco and asked for his help in crafting a law that would allow Middleboro to have a ballot type vote for the casino contract question. This would allow the citizens to vote in their own precincts just like a regular election. The first step in the process would have been for the Selectmen to send a letter costing 41cents to Senator Pacheco requesting his assistance. And although Wayne Perkins was in favor of making this idea a motion, there was no support from the Board thereby eliminating any possibility of a ballot election. The cost for a special election or ballot question is approximately $9,000; the estimated cost of the town meeting being planned is $123,000, a difference of $114,000 or salary of several town employees? for one year. Not only would a ballot election be fiscally responsible, it would also prevent the citizens of Middleboro from sitting through an outdoor town meeting in the heat of a July morning, the difficulty for our senior citizens and disabled citizens, the parking issues, the possibility that the meeting may have to be postponed due to inclement weather, and a host of other issues, a ballot election would allow the citizens of Middleboro to cast their vote throughout the day, in about a fifteen minute time span, freeing the townspeople from giving up an entire Saturday for a Town Meeting. It is my opinion that the citizens of Middleboro deserve a Board of Selectman who will be vigilant with the budget and more thoughtful of the welfare of the townspeople. Thank you, Bob Dunphy Candidate for Middleboro Selectman 508 923-0199 7/18/07
I have been undecided until just recently.
I attended this past Monday night's selectmen's meeting. I walked into
the back of the room and sat on the left-hand side, two rows from the
back. There was an older couple seated behind me with their green "C"
pins on their lapel. As I looked around the room, it seemed that most
in favor of the casino were wearing such a pin. I was not wearing such
a pin. As soon as I sat down, the woman immediately said, "I guess we
know which side she's on". The man then said, "Isn't it great how that
so-called facts website takes one little piece of information and twists
it the way they want it told". These types of comments when on for
about one minute when, instead of lowering myself to their ignorance, I
stood up and walked to a much friendlier part of the room. I was
absolutely flabbergasted by the way I was treated. I hadn't even made
eye contact with these people. I was completely in my own little world
and minding my own business.
Towards the end of the meeting the selectmen
went into executive session and everyone filtered into the hallway. My
husband and I were looking at the poster on the wall that shows the
location of proposed casino. Several people came up to us and
introduced themselves. As we spoke, of course the question arose as to
how we felt about the casino. We said that we were on the fence and
weren't quite sure. They proudly but humbly admitted that they were not
for the casino, and we then had a very long and productive conversation
about issues that I had never even thought of.
Not once did a pro-casino person introduce
themselves to us or even look us in the face. Again, we did not have
the green "C" pins on our shirts. We left that meeting at 11:15p.m.
knowing full well how we were going to vote on July 28 at 11:00a.m.
Leeann Bradley
7/18/07
There are a lot of good reasons why we
should support the casino in this town. The thing that I keep coming
back to is the fact that this was their land and they are now having to
buy it back. The history associated with the Wampanoag Tribe and this
town is real. The King Phillip War began right here. We should be
proud to have them come back to their own land and welcome them. Not
complain that they will bring crime and traffic etc. Didn't
they say they would help with an increase in our Police and Fire
Departments? Wouldn't the building of a casino, golf course, water park
etc. bring in more money to our town. It would also supply jobs to many
of the people who are in need of an income. Many small businesses that
are just getting by would benefit.
Even after reading over all the pros and cons I still can't help but wonder how can anybody deny the tribe the right to their land.
Joyce Levesque
7/18/07 I am against the casino coming to my town. I value what we have and do not want it destroyed by a casino and the negative effects it has on a town. Look into the negative facts that are happening to Connecticut. It's disheartening to feel that we have no control on things that will change our lives as we know it. It is also heartbreaking that I myself and my loved ones have been victims of aggressive and threatening behavior by some of your supporters. Just the other day my sister and my baby niece were abruptly cut off on rt. 44 by a vehicle that sported a casino-friends bumper sticker. He carelessly and abruptly cut her off and made sure he showed her his "disapproval" before he drove on. It's sad and it sickens me to think that something a small as a difference of opinion could spark such hatred and put my baby niece in harms way. Let's face it people we are merely a speck in this multi-billion backed possibility, if THEY want it, it will come. We can be for and against it and ultimately money-hungry businessmen will win. Money always wins. Unfortunately when all this has blown over and whether a casino sits itself in our backyards or not; we are one town and we all have loved ones that we would die for and we all want what's best for our families. I just pray that if a casino does come to our beloved town, we are all prepared to accept the hand our town has been dealt, because nothing will bring back the little things that have been lost and that our families treasure the most. Sue
Tetreault 7/17/07 This letter is in response to
the "gentleman" from Miller Street. I too live on Miller Street. I have
two college degrees and was a public school teacher for 35 years. My wife
is a retired R.N. with thirty years of service to the mentally
handicapped. We resent him saying we are uneducated and ill informed. A
casino will not sacrifice Middleboro, and the monetary gains are real,
not" a false understanding" Yes Middleboro is a nice town. We came to Rock
Village seeking the peace and quiet of a rural neighborhood. What we got
were huge 16 wheelers rumbling up and down the street everyday. Traffic is
non stop from 4 a.m. to after midnight, kids on dirt bikes screaming by
our house, at least 100 motorcycles (usually on Sunday) riding by our
house every week, cars driving on Miller St. as if it were the
Indianapolis 500, fireworks being shot off periodically by someone on
Highland St. It was quieter in the Village section of Brockton where I
grew up. An extra $50.00 a month may not seem much to you but that is not
the case for everyone. Oak Point residents will not ( by law) and should
not pay real estate taxes. Get real!! Seven million dollars,while
certainly not a cure-all for Middleboro, is better than no dollars. Most
discussions on the casino, whether pro or con have been civil discussions.
You describing pro casino people as ignorant shows that you sir, are rude
and ignorant yourself. 7/17/07 To whom it may concern: My name is Michael J. Quish and I am from Raynham, MA. I attended the Middleboro Selectman's meeting last night to learn more about the Casino issues. My family owns a small Limousine company and my job entails taking clients to Casino Resort venues. Last night I witnessed one of the saddest, one sided decisions made by a town moderator. I could not believe the immature reaction made by the opposition. The selectman of Middleboro wanted to provide a safe and air conditioned location for the elderly and handicapped. The selectman all voted and agreed the Middleboro High School auditorium would provide such necessities. I witness the town moderator get out of bed, run down to the town meeting in his slippers to only take away the Selectman's decision to provide safe environment for the elderly and handicapped. The response made by the opposition was discriminatory. I could not believe the response made by the opposition, specifically 3 ladies who sat in the back of the meeting hall, near the aisle microphone. The juvenile behavior displayed by these women was completely disheartening. How could three adults be so cruel and callous to the elderly and handicapped is beyond me? Please Middleboro fix this. Michael Quish Raynham MA 7/17/07 With reference to the
letter below from James Johnson: |
