Norfolk speaks against casino

Norfolk speaks against casino
BY STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

Group discusses impact of development on town
NORFOLK - One speaker told of the ills of casinos affecting her hometown in Connecticut, another of living near Atlantic City and a third having spent time in Nevada and its casinos.

They were among several who spoke in opposition to the casino proposed across Route 1 from Gillette Stadium in neighboring Foxboro at a forum Monday night that attracted about 75 people to Olive Day School.

Marie Zullo, who lives in the west part of town, said she grew up in North Stonington, Conn., near the Foxwoods resort casino.

"The impact has been great on the town," Zullo said, describing North Stonington as no longer a town where residents leave their cars and house doors unlocked at night. "The volunteer fire department is stretched to the limit."

"I don't expect things to be different for Norfolk," Zullo said. "People will use it as a cut-through to avoid Route 1." Marie Zullo, a former Stonington, Conn., resident now living in Norfolk, relates her experiences during an anti-casino meeting held at the Olive Day School in Norfolk Monday evening. (Staff photo by Martin Gavin)Andrew Addison of Robin Road said he grew up on the New Jersey shore and watched the development of gambling in Atlantic City.

"It's one hell of a traffic nightmare," Addison said. "I think we all can agree the quality of life will change around here."

Dennis Schworer, who also lives in the west part of Norfolk, said he lived in Nevada when he was younger.

"I always opposed casinos," Schworer said. "It comes at a great social cost. Children will flood the school system."

Nancy Connors, who lives on Everett Street in Pondville, said she already is affected by traffic from the stadium and Patriot Place.

"I'm afraid Foxboro, despite all we're hearing" might approve the casino, Connors said. Marguerite Kevorkian, who lives in the north part of town, told the crowd she used to live in Foxboro and fought an access road for the stadium.

"They drive through residential areas. We are already seeing that in Norfolk," she said.

She called casino proponents Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn "two very great businessmen," but pledged "I'll do anything and everything to protect Norfolk."

Residents afterward signed a petition asking Kraft to withdraw the casino plans that going into the meeting already had about 1,500 names.

Town officials also urged residents to join the anti-casino effort, either forming a committee or joining an existing group.

"It will impact Norfolk the way we know it. It will not be the same," Selectman James Lehan said, adding the casino would fall in the center of three highly developed residential towns. "I really believe we can make a difference."

Norfolk selectmen along with Wrentham selectmen have voted to oppose the casino.

"I don't believe that is an appropriate location for this type of development," said Norfolk Planning Board Chairman Jeff Palumbo.

State Rep. Dan Winslow, R-Norfolk, reminded residents that in the 1980s they successfully fought a sludge dump proposed on the Norfolk/Walpole line.

"We have seen the power of direct democracy. People stood up to power," Winslow said as part of a lengthy speech.