Unbiased study sought for casino
By LORI STABILE
The Western Massachusetts Casino Task Force supports state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer's call for an independent analysis of expanded gaming.
The task force, which is composed of 14 communities, first voiced its support of an independent analysis more than two years ago, and recently penned a letter to the members of the Massachusetts General Court in support of Brewer's recently filed legislation.
Task Force Chairman Edward S. Harrison, of Monson, said the task force feels that to date, all the studies done about casinos have "been slanted" and conducted by groups that "are not truly independent disinterested third parties. They are people who have a vested interest in getting casinos passed."
Harrison noted that the casino Mohegan Sun is proposing for Palmer, on land across from the turnpike exit on Thorndike Street (Route 32), has been downsized considerably. Touted as a $1 billion project, Mohegan now is proposing a $600 million resort casino. It has gone from 3,000 to 2,500 slot machines, and from a theater with seating for up to 5,000 to a multi-use ballroom of 1,000 square feet to 1,500 square feet.
"Is the casino business as viable as it was before?" Harrison asked. "You look at the news these days and casinos are having problems, and laying off people."
Task force member Paul E. Burns, of Palmer, said he thinks the bill is "redundant exercise."
Oh? Paul, do you mean like the Palmer Casino Study Committee Report that determined a casino would destroy the little town of Palmer financially? The one that you ignored? The one that was buried? What are you hiding?
By LORI STABILE
The Western Massachusetts Casino Task Force supports state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer's call for an independent analysis of expanded gaming.
The task force, which is composed of 14 communities, first voiced its support of an independent analysis more than two years ago, and recently penned a letter to the members of the Massachusetts General Court in support of Brewer's recently filed legislation.
Task Force Chairman Edward S. Harrison, of Monson, said the task force feels that to date, all the studies done about casinos have "been slanted" and conducted by groups that "are not truly independent disinterested third parties. They are people who have a vested interest in getting casinos passed."
Harrison noted that the casino Mohegan Sun is proposing for Palmer, on land across from the turnpike exit on Thorndike Street (Route 32), has been downsized considerably. Touted as a $1 billion project, Mohegan now is proposing a $600 million resort casino. It has gone from 3,000 to 2,500 slot machines, and from a theater with seating for up to 5,000 to a multi-use ballroom of 1,000 square feet to 1,500 square feet.
"Is the casino business as viable as it was before?" Harrison asked. "You look at the news these days and casinos are having problems, and laying off people."
Task force member Paul E. Burns, of Palmer, said he thinks the bill is "redundant exercise."
Oh? Paul, do you mean like the Palmer Casino Study Committee Report that determined a casino would destroy the little town of Palmer financially? The one that you ignored? The one that was buried? What are you hiding?
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment