To which I would add this: The “subtle threat” was not so much that the Indians would take their slot machines elsewhere, but that they would build them in Middleborough whether residents liked it or not. That's why people were told to vote “yes” on the deal even if they opposed the casino itself. That's why they turned right around after the first vote and voted “no” on an advisory question asking whether they wanted to see a casino built in town.
The editorial urges Gov. Deval Patrick to take his time on making a decision (apparently he needs no such urging), and concludes: “This may be the most important decision you ever make as governor. Don't let anyone from any quarter put pressure on you. Do what is best for the long-term welfare of the people of Massachusetts.”
Look at what we're dealing with now. A tribal chairman, Glenn Marshall, who left in disgrace. The entire tribal leadership facing a recall election. Three of Middleborough's five selectmen facing a recall election. (The other two, including the chief casino enabler, Adam Bond, escaped only because they were elected too recently.) Two of the investors with dubious legal records. A mysterious meeting with the ethically challenged state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson.
Just walk away, governor. You don't need this.
The gambling casino venture, if brought to fruition, will be second in stature to the engineering debacle comonly known as the BigDig. Gambling enterprises are fraught with multiple layers of the law of unintended consequence.
Anyone who has taken a spring, summer or autumn drive down through the backroads of Halifax, Middleborough, Plympton, Carver, etc know full well that these old historical towns will lose their New England charcater forever. To be replaced by what: the grotesque and garish noise and lights of casinos with the attendant hawkers, pimps, prostitutes, drunks, and the hapless looking for the big score.
Are a few sheckels for the state coffers really worth all of this? Yes, I have an axe to grind. I live on a quiet country road in an adjacent town. If I am forced to pay higher taxes to keep this sty out of my neighborhood, so be it. It would be worth eating peanut butter and jelly an extra day of the week.
I posted previously [http://www.bluemassg…] my sentiments about Las Vegas having nothing, which made it a divine location to become the casino empire that it is. This debate is about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and I believe that what we have is precious and worth preserving. How about standing up for what is true, blue and ought not be for sale at any price, at any time, Governor? Citizenry? Legislators?
Of all the opportunities we currently have to create a fiasco in this state why choose this one? Why opt to have a casino that will bring with it some money but so much more spending on things like road repair/expansion, sewers, police, fire (they'll likely need some more engines to handle such a large complex, right?) and other items.
Any municipality could guarantee a net loss by doing any number of other things that wouldn't cause as much potential trouble, right? Overspend on the schools for example. Still a net loss but you get smarter kids, better system, more people want to move there, home prices go up which causes the tax revenue to increase, smart kids stick around to work/live in the area,… whoops. I guess maybe this isn't a net loss after all.
My point is this – as so many others have said so many times much more eloquently – the state has much to lose and little, if anything, to gain by approving casinos here.