Wouldn't you think in the lull from the Beacon Hill Feeding Frenzy, some folks might have been a little curious and done some homework? Guess not!
Isn't Northeast Steve Norton, whose companies have filed bankruptcy elsewhere?
Maybe they could have read these article found here and here:
Western Mass. Casino Task Force List of Concerns and Issues
A list of high priority concerns and issues developed by the 15-town Western Massachusetts Casino Task Force
August 4, 2009
2007 National Compensation Levels
Places the median hourly wage for gaming service employees at $6.34 per hour with annual median earnings of $13,179.
US Dept of Labor's Division of Labor Statistics
P. 13
Gambling's Effects on Local Businesses
outlines the impact expanded gambling has had on local businesses on various communities across the nation.
Gambling: Casinos? Costs Far Outweigh Their Economic Benefits, Economist Says
is an article centered on the discussion of casino gambling as an economic development tool for state and local economies. The discussion leads to the point that casino gambling will cost the community more than twice the actual incoming revenue.
Gambling: Casinos? Costs Far Outweigh Their Economic Benefits, Economist Say.
Ascribe Newswire: Health. 28 Sept 2001. p.9-10.
Mohegan layoffs cast shadow on Palmer casino's chances
By Bradford L. Miner TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
PALMER — The jury is out today over whether Mohegan Sun's announcement that it is laying off 355 employees and reassigning 120 others represents a deal breaker for plans to put a resort casino here.
The prospective casino site is 152 acres of Northeast Realty property opposite the Massachusetts Turnpike entrance on Thorndike Street (Route 32.)
State Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Palmer, said that, considering the state of the gaming industry and economy from one coast to the other, one could well have assumed that Mohegan Sun would eventually follow Foxwoods' layoff of 700 in the fall of 2008.
“I think many are surprised that it took this long. Mohegan prided itself on not having to lay off any employees, and I think they held out as long as they could. Does this mean the end for Mohegan's chances in Palmer? The broad view shows the entire industry trying to recover,” Mr. Smola said.
Gerald Chudy, owner of Chudy Oil, and an early supporter of the Mohegan Sun proposal, said this morning it was time for the community to broaden its horizons from the tunnel vision of the casino issue.
“I've thought for some time that the most important facet about the casino proposal was the impact on the local economy with jobs. Maybe we need to look to Palmer's past to take a step or two toward the town's future with something just about everyone can get behind,” Mr. Chudy said.
The businessman said there is legislative support and there could be strong local support building on Palmer's “seven railroads” legacy.
“If industry isn't coming to Palmer and our lot is to become a bedroom community, then we need to make some serious strides toward commuter rail from Albany to Boston. Anyone who commutes on the turnpike regularly can get behind that,” Mr. Chudy said.
In published reports in today's Boston Herald, Paul E. Burns, Town Council president, and Robert Young, founder of Palmer Businesses for a Palmer Casino, maintained their confidence in Palmer's potential as a casino site. They were less enthusiastic about the chances that it would be Mohegan Sun that gets the job done.
Mr. Chudy said it was his understanding that Mohegan Sun had secured investor funding for the project independent of the steadily declining revenue at Mohegan Sun.
State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, said the news of the layoffs could put a different spin on things, but nothing is certain until legislation is passed and signed by the governor.
“Of course, that being said, you have to ask yourself what that Legislature will look like and who the governor might be,” Mr. Brewer said, citing the unlikely prospect of the House and
Senate returning to Beacon Hill before the end of the year to take up this bill.
“For current legislators and those still here after Nov. 2 it could be construed as a no-win situation. If you take up casino legislation, and ignore all other bills that were languishing at the end of the session, you're not going to make any friends. Then again, it could be Gov. Baker who'd be looking at whatever bill passed the House and Senate,” Mr. Smola said.
Leonard N. Weake, president of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce based in Palmer had no comment on the changing Mohegan Sun dynamic.
Copyright 2010 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.
Isn't Northeast Steve Norton, whose companies have filed bankruptcy elsewhere?
Maybe they could have read these article found here and here:
Western Mass. Casino Task Force List of Concerns and Issues
A list of high priority concerns and issues developed by the 15-town Western Massachusetts Casino Task Force
August 4, 2009
2007 National Compensation Levels
Places the median hourly wage for gaming service employees at $6.34 per hour with annual median earnings of $13,179.
US Dept of Labor's Division of Labor Statistics
P. 13
Gambling's Effects on Local Businesses
outlines the impact expanded gambling has had on local businesses on various communities across the nation.
Gambling: Casinos? Costs Far Outweigh Their Economic Benefits, Economist Says
is an article centered on the discussion of casino gambling as an economic development tool for state and local economies. The discussion leads to the point that casino gambling will cost the community more than twice the actual incoming revenue.
Gambling: Casinos? Costs Far Outweigh Their Economic Benefits, Economist Say.
Ascribe Newswire: Health. 28 Sept 2001. p.9-10.
Mohegan layoffs cast shadow on Palmer casino's chances
By Bradford L. Miner TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
PALMER — The jury is out today over whether Mohegan Sun's announcement that it is laying off 355 employees and reassigning 120 others represents a deal breaker for plans to put a resort casino here.
The prospective casino site is 152 acres of Northeast Realty property opposite the Massachusetts Turnpike entrance on Thorndike Street (Route 32.)
State Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Palmer, said that, considering the state of the gaming industry and economy from one coast to the other, one could well have assumed that Mohegan Sun would eventually follow Foxwoods' layoff of 700 in the fall of 2008.
“I think many are surprised that it took this long. Mohegan prided itself on not having to lay off any employees, and I think they held out as long as they could. Does this mean the end for Mohegan's chances in Palmer? The broad view shows the entire industry trying to recover,” Mr. Smola said.
Gerald Chudy, owner of Chudy Oil, and an early supporter of the Mohegan Sun proposal, said this morning it was time for the community to broaden its horizons from the tunnel vision of the casino issue.
“I've thought for some time that the most important facet about the casino proposal was the impact on the local economy with jobs. Maybe we need to look to Palmer's past to take a step or two toward the town's future with something just about everyone can get behind,” Mr. Chudy said.
The businessman said there is legislative support and there could be strong local support building on Palmer's “seven railroads” legacy.
“If industry isn't coming to Palmer and our lot is to become a bedroom community, then we need to make some serious strides toward commuter rail from Albany to Boston. Anyone who commutes on the turnpike regularly can get behind that,” Mr. Chudy said.
In published reports in today's Boston Herald, Paul E. Burns, Town Council president, and Robert Young, founder of Palmer Businesses for a Palmer Casino, maintained their confidence in Palmer's potential as a casino site. They were less enthusiastic about the chances that it would be Mohegan Sun that gets the job done.
Mr. Chudy said it was his understanding that Mohegan Sun had secured investor funding for the project independent of the steadily declining revenue at Mohegan Sun.
State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, said the news of the layoffs could put a different spin on things, but nothing is certain until legislation is passed and signed by the governor.
“Of course, that being said, you have to ask yourself what that Legislature will look like and who the governor might be,” Mr. Brewer said, citing the unlikely prospect of the House and
Senate returning to Beacon Hill before the end of the year to take up this bill.
“For current legislators and those still here after Nov. 2 it could be construed as a no-win situation. If you take up casino legislation, and ignore all other bills that were languishing at the end of the session, you're not going to make any friends. Then again, it could be Gov. Baker who'd be looking at whatever bill passed the House and Senate,” Mr. Smola said.
Leonard N. Weake, president of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce based in Palmer had no comment on the changing Mohegan Sun dynamic.
Copyright 2010 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.
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