...that State Senator Jehlen of Somerville doesn't.
Our legislators must be privy to information that the good Senator just hasn't been made aware of yet. Well, I've copied the uninformed Senator and I am going to try my best to convince her and those of you who still simply don't trust the casino industry that her concerns and yours are totally unfounded and baseless.
Dear Senator Jehlen,
I recently read your newsletter with disbelief (read full text here). How is it that someone with your background and education can be swayed by independent economic research on the costs and benefits of expanded gambling into believing that the costs might outweigh the benefits? Haven't you heard that there is absolutely no way to divine the costs until we pass the legislation and figure out where to build the casinos? The benefits on the other hand are much easier to calculate: $400 million in revenue minus $148 million the lottery will lose and minus whatever it's going to cost for that huge new bureaucracy. Besides Chip Tuttle, COO of Suffolk Downs has beautiful pictures of the new casino that you really must see before you jump to any conclusions.
Senator, can we really trust the Boston Business Journal to speak on behalf of the rest of the businesses in the area? I mean they don't really know what they're talking about do they? Besides, didn't you know that Suffolk Downs has been open for 75 years and there's already gambling there? You really need to drop by and see the plans.
Pat, can I call you Pat? Pat, just because the CEO of the American Gaming Association doesn't want a casino in his neighborhood is no reason for you to whine about it. Surely you can come up with something more convincing than that. Has Chip called yet? I'm sure he'll want to show you the renderings.
Senator, people do go to Connecticut already. You can't argue that, can you? Don't you see all those busloads of people heading down the Mass Pike and the cars in the parking lots with the Massachusetts plates? Doesn't it make sense to put a casino on the Blue Line? That way everyone who can't afford those expensive bus trips or their own car, you know the people who might need government assistance already, can get to the casino? You should talk to Mr. Fields of Coastal Development; he's a really nice guy and he would never want anyone to suffer on account of his business.
Senator, you folks at the State House have made it so hard for the rest of us to smoke in peace. As you know times are tough and drinking helps us forget our problems so why shouldn't the casinos give us a break on our liquor bills? If we can smoke and drink more cheaply at the casino, we won't need to go to any of those other places where we need to go outside to smoke. Did you know if one of those restaurants like Jeveli's, Floramo's or Maggio's gave me a free drink, they could be lose their license? Not so at the casinos! I hear that the landscaping is going to be fabulous and they're going to give new plants to the people on Waldemar Ave. to mitigate the negative impact. Maybe you should ask Chip for some plants? Would that make you feel better about the drinking and smoking?
You know, Senator, I spoke to the Mayor of Ledyard, CT, where Foxwoods is, and he is quite happy with the casino in his town. He had this to say:
"There has been no economic development spin-off from the casino. Businesses do not come here...Tourists come mainly to gamble. Gamblers have one thing in mind: get to the casino, win or lose their money, get in their cars, and go home."
Hmmm, maybe he didn't have enough to drink that day.
Listen , Senator you just don't get it. Who needs an independent cost benefit analysis anyway. I am putting my trust in Chip Tuttle and the casino industry. After all they've had 37 other states to practice in and they are finally going to "do it right" here in Massachusetts.
Regards,
John Ribeiro
www.NeighborsOfSuffolkDowns.org
P.S. Neighbors, please read Senator Jehlen's newsletter and call or email our legislators and tell them you will hold them accountable for their vote. Remind them that they represent us and that they are not serving our best interests. They simply haven't done their homework.
As more people question Predatory Gambling, the community degradation caused by SLOT BARNS, the increased crime, children left in hot vehicles in the summer sun, opposition is growing.
Contact the Governor, your State Representative and Senator, then
Join us by adding your name to the mailings lists on this very important issue:
United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
Neighbors of Suffolk Downs
Stop Predatory Gambling
Gambling is extremely profitable and the Industry has paid their lobbyists well.
Their suits cost more than my entire wardrobe (tee shirts don't cost much).
We are all grassroots volunteers who pay for gas, parking, computer time and paper out of our own pockets. Consider making a contribution to our efforts. Consider joining us. It's your community after all.
Our legislators must be privy to information that the good Senator just hasn't been made aware of yet. Well, I've copied the uninformed Senator and I am going to try my best to convince her and those of you who still simply don't trust the casino industry that her concerns and yours are totally unfounded and baseless.
Dear Senator Jehlen,
I recently read your newsletter with disbelief (read full text here). How is it that someone with your background and education can be swayed by independent economic research on the costs and benefits of expanded gambling into believing that the costs might outweigh the benefits? Haven't you heard that there is absolutely no way to divine the costs until we pass the legislation and figure out where to build the casinos? The benefits on the other hand are much easier to calculate: $400 million in revenue minus $148 million the lottery will lose and minus whatever it's going to cost for that huge new bureaucracy. Besides Chip Tuttle, COO of Suffolk Downs has beautiful pictures of the new casino that you really must see before you jump to any conclusions.
Senator, can we really trust the Boston Business Journal to speak on behalf of the rest of the businesses in the area? I mean they don't really know what they're talking about do they? Besides, didn't you know that Suffolk Downs has been open for 75 years and there's already gambling there? You really need to drop by and see the plans.
Pat, can I call you Pat? Pat, just because the CEO of the American Gaming Association doesn't want a casino in his neighborhood is no reason for you to whine about it. Surely you can come up with something more convincing than that. Has Chip called yet? I'm sure he'll want to show you the renderings.
Senator, people do go to Connecticut already. You can't argue that, can you? Don't you see all those busloads of people heading down the Mass Pike and the cars in the parking lots with the Massachusetts plates? Doesn't it make sense to put a casino on the Blue Line? That way everyone who can't afford those expensive bus trips or their own car, you know the people who might need government assistance already, can get to the casino? You should talk to Mr. Fields of Coastal Development; he's a really nice guy and he would never want anyone to suffer on account of his business.
Senator, you folks at the State House have made it so hard for the rest of us to smoke in peace. As you know times are tough and drinking helps us forget our problems so why shouldn't the casinos give us a break on our liquor bills? If we can smoke and drink more cheaply at the casino, we won't need to go to any of those other places where we need to go outside to smoke. Did you know if one of those restaurants like Jeveli's, Floramo's or Maggio's gave me a free drink, they could be lose their license? Not so at the casinos! I hear that the landscaping is going to be fabulous and they're going to give new plants to the people on Waldemar Ave. to mitigate the negative impact. Maybe you should ask Chip for some plants? Would that make you feel better about the drinking and smoking?
You know, Senator, I spoke to the Mayor of Ledyard, CT, where Foxwoods is, and he is quite happy with the casino in his town. He had this to say:
"There has been no economic development spin-off from the casino. Businesses do not come here...Tourists come mainly to gamble. Gamblers have one thing in mind: get to the casino, win or lose their money, get in their cars, and go home."
Hmmm, maybe he didn't have enough to drink that day.
Listen , Senator you just don't get it. Who needs an independent cost benefit analysis anyway. I am putting my trust in Chip Tuttle and the casino industry. After all they've had 37 other states to practice in and they are finally going to "do it right" here in Massachusetts.
Regards,
John Ribeiro
www.NeighborsOfSuffolkDowns.org
P.S. Neighbors, please read Senator Jehlen's newsletter and call or email our legislators and tell them you will hold them accountable for their vote. Remind them that they represent us and that they are not serving our best interests. They simply haven't done their homework.
As more people question Predatory Gambling, the community degradation caused by SLOT BARNS, the increased crime, children left in hot vehicles in the summer sun, opposition is growing.
Contact the Governor, your State Representative and Senator, then
Join us by adding your name to the mailings lists on this very important issue:
United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
Neighbors of Suffolk Downs
Stop Predatory Gambling
Gambling is extremely profitable and the Industry has paid their lobbyists well.
Their suits cost more than my entire wardrobe (tee shirts don't cost much).
We are all grassroots volunteers who pay for gas, parking, computer time and paper out of our own pockets. Consider making a contribution to our efforts. Consider joining us. It's your community after all.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment