Foes of Plainville slots come forward

Foes of Plainville slots come forward
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

PLAINVILLE - A facade of unanimity over slot machines in Plainville was shattered Monday when a small group of residents expressed their opposition to turning Plainridge Racecourse into a slot machine parlor.

Speaking for the group of five, resident Mary-Ann Greanier told selectmen she was moved to speak out after reading in The Sun Chronicle that town officials believe there is no opposition to expanded gambling in the town.

"There is opposition in the town, and I think it is well thought out opposition," she told the board.

Greanier said she witnessed the harmful impact gambling in general and slot machines in particular have on a community when she was a resident of Nevada.

She said her frequent trips to Reno exposed her to regular slot machine gamblers who looked "haggard and tired and poor and sad." Slot machines are the most "predatory" form of gambling and the most addictive, she said.

Racinos, or slot parlors, attract a different clientele than destination resort casinos, she said.

Casinos attract tourists, she said. Slot parlors tend to be patronized by poorer, local residents, who bring social problems such as addiction and suicide to the local area, she said.

Greanier was the only one to speak to the board, but her supporters said later they are also opposed.

"Nothing positive comes out of it," Robin Pollock said.

Greanier said after the meeting that she wants selectmen to take "a courageous stand" against gambling just as officials in neighboring towns have. She said she understands the town badly wants the revenue that will come with slot machines, but she urged selectmen to do an in-depth study of the issue before deciding.

Selectmen said they are not close to taking a stand.

Chairman Rob Rose said the new gambling legislation is extremely convoluted and he suspects it will be years before casinos or slot parlors receive licenses from the state.