They ignore opposition and in the case of Brimfield, pretend it doesn't exist, fail to publish letters-to-the-editor of opponents, delete comments from opponents and basically buy into the fake poster strategy of the Gambling Industry.
In the touchy-feely, feel good about MGM story below prepared for them by MGM, they ignored that the phony local Proponents' group was formed by MGM, as a poster named PreserveBrimfield noted, information easily obtained.
PreserveBrimfield February 10, 2012 at 9:12AM
ProCasino Group ?? Yes, called MGM
Brimfieldfirst.com was registered on the 8th by MGM!
Registrant:
MGM Resorts International Operations, Inc.
Charles Shepard
3260 Industrial Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
US
Email: charlies@mgmmirage.net
Registrar Name....: CORPORATE DOMAINS, INC.
Registrar Whois...: whois.corporatedomains.com
Registrar Homepage: www.cscprotectsbrands.com
Domain Name: brimfieldfirst.com
Created on..............: Wed, Feb 08, 2012
Expires on..............: Sat, Feb 08, 2014
Record last updated on..: Wed, Feb 08, 2012
Administrative,Technical Contact:
MGM Resorts International Operations, Inc.
Charles Shepard
3260 Industrial Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
US
Phone: +1.7026506900
Email: charlies@mgmmirage.net
DNS Servers:
ns2.mgmmirage.net
ns1.mgmmirage.net
WarriorII February 09, 2012 at 11:00PM
Let's clarify: MGM was "invited" here by the developer, Mr. Callahan, NOT the residents of Brimfield!
Yes, any big casino will generate millions in tax dollars, and it will also generate even MORE millions in expenses that the town will have to shell out, and lots of free headaches. Just ask CT.
Brimfield residents to weigh in on MGM casino at annual Town Meeting
Published: Thursday, February 09, 2012, 8:15 PM
By Lori Stabile, The Republican The Republican
BRIMFIELD - An article is expected to be on the May 21 annual Town Meeting warrant that will ask voters if they support a resort casino development in town accessible from the Massachusetts Turnpike that will generate millions of dollars in tax revenue for Brimfield.
The vote, which will be non-binding, will be a way for MGM Resorts International to gauge voter interest in the "Rolling Hills Resort" casino project it is proposing on 150 acres in the northwest corner of town, William Hornbuckle, MGM's chief marketing officer, said on Thursday.
Translation: Just pretend we're not here...well except for what we'll cost the town in services.
A petition was delivered to the selectmen's office on Thursday morning by two MGM Resorts International representatives, according to Selectmen Chairwoman Diane M. Panaccione, who received it. Panaccione said the 24 signatures still need to be certified to ensure they are registered voters in town.
Hornbuckle has been in town this week to meet with officials and residents about the project. While designs have not been unveiled yet, he said they are envisioning a campus-like setting that would include the casino, a restaurant complex featuring "the best of what Western Massachusetts has to offer" and a spa, among other attractions, including an entertainment venue. He said they are considering having both indoor and outdoor entertainment venues.
"It will not look and feel like a casino. It will not have neon. It will not have bright lights. It will be subtle, respectful of the community," Hornbuckle said, adding it will be "tucked" into the hillside.
From poster: P. Adams February 10, 2012 at 12:59PM
How convenient that Mr. Hornbuckle fails to mention the significant additional costs to the town that could significantly reduce the "millions" of dollars he's promising us in new property tax revenue. In fact, depending on the need to move from volunteer fire and police forces to full-time, the need for a new elementary school, and new investments in social services, the town could find itself in a deficit situation. As for "thousands" of new jobs, Brimfield residents understand that most of those jobs will be given to people from outside our community. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Occupational Employment and Wages estimates that the median hourly wage of casino workers in all but the most senior positions is $10.49, with some workers making as little as $7.52 and most no more than $10.57 -- below the poverty level for a family of four. So, with the empty promises of a windfall of new revenue and jobs for everyone, Mr. Hornbuckle is offering the town the world, knowing he can't deliver. As for the non-binding vote, Mr. Hornbuckle should be careful what he wishes for. And perhaps he should provide some information: at recent appearances before town boards and committees, Mr. Callahan and Mr. Murphy haven't been able to answer simple and direct questions about the project, and so it seems very premature to ask the town to vote on an issue the details of which -- even the broad outlines of which -- are being kept from Brimfield residents.
"This is not Las Vegas by any stretch," he said.
The non-binding question is not required by state law. However, a binding referendum must go before voters once a Host Community Agreement has been negotiated between the town and casino developer.
Hornbuckle said he is looking forward to the Town Meeting vote, but acknowledged the company has a lot of work to do before then. He expects a design will be revealed before the annual Town Meeting, with more details to emerge in the coming months. MGM will sponsor community meetings to educate residents about the proposal, he said.
Translation: "educate" - propagandize residents by withholding the increased costs of town services they will be forced to fund.
"We only want to be where we are invited. We are fully prepared to address traffic, public safety and environmental concerns, as well as outline the thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in new taxes that can be generated by a resort," Hornbuckle said.
Horse Manure Alert: You won't get 'thousands' of NEW jobs nor millions in 'new taxes.'
He said he realizes there is opposition to the project. When the project is presented to the Gaming Commission, Hornbuckle said they want to demonstrate they have the town's support, through the non-binding and binding votes.
MGM representatives said the petition was originated by a group of pro-casino supporters calling themselves "Brimfield First." But several of the people who signed the petition that were contacted said they had not heard of the group.
William Hornbuckle of MGM Resorts International discusses proposed Brimfield casino William Hornbuckle, chief marketing executive for MGM Resorts International, talks about the Brimfield casino project on Thursday in Brimfield. Watch video
Janet L. Hastings, of Cubles Drive, said she found out about it through her grandson's mother, Kirsten Gaskell, who works for Rolling Hills. Hastings said she supports the project for the jobs it will bring.
"I've been for it from the beginning. I think the town really needs the money," Hastings said. "There are a lot of people in town that are out of work."
Robert Sturtevant said he found out about it from his mother, Diane L. Sturtevant, who is an antique show operator. They both said they support the project, so they signed the petition. Diane Sturtevant said she signed it when she visited the Rolling Hills office, which is next to her property.
"With the town devastated by the tornado, the town needs money . . . We have no industry to speak of," Diane Sturtevant said. "The town would not be impacted by it. If Palmer gets (a casino) the traffic would come right through here."
Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun wants to open a resort casino in neighboring Palmer, across from the Massachusetts Turnpike exit. There are also casino proposals for Holyoke and Springfield, but only one Western Massachusetts casino license will be awarded.
If the vote does not go MGM's way, Hornbuckle said they will focus on what the overall issues may be. He said MGM will make an assessment on how to move forward, unless the negative vote is "resounding."
Translation: We'll keep pounding away at you until you're exhausted!
"We're not going to give up on Massachusetts, that's for sure, and we're not going to give up on Western Massachusetts," Hornbuckle said.
Translation: Same as above!
The main concern continues to be traffic, he said.
MGM has said there will be no impact on the town, as access would be through the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Because a ramp cannot be built for a private business, Hornbuckle said the local access would be from Smith Road in Warren - currently a dirt road. He said it could cost $25 million to $30 million to build a ramp, a cost to be borne by the developer.
Hornbuckle said MGM is excited to have the opportunity to have the question before voters in May, even if it is non-binding.
Translation: OMG! We're salivating for these NEW revenues and NEW Gambling Addicts!
"We would like a benchmark of where we stand," Hornbuckle said.
The warrant article reads as follows: "To see if the town will vote to support a resort casino development, accessible from the Massachusetts Turnpike, and located in the secluded northwest corner of the town (north of the turnpike), which will generate millions of dollars annually in tax revenues for the town. This article is non-binding." [And you won't even notice we're there except for the costs you'll bear! Oh, and maybe the increased crime...and maybe those low wage workers who will need substandard housing....and maybe the impacts of those ESL students on your schools...and.....the increased DUIs from the FREE ALCOHOL we dispense freely to keep those Gambling Addicts in their seats...]
Last month, David J. Callahan, a principal with Rolling Hills Estates Realty Trust, announced a partnership with Las Vegas-based MGM to build a resort casino on his land, which is north of the Massachusetts Turnpike. MGM Resorts has signed a contract to purchase the property.
Also last month, MGM announced it selected Gensler, a "green" architectural firm, to oversee design of the Rolling Hills Resort project.
The small town of Palmer, MA appointed local residents to a "Casino Study Committee." The members of that committee had no preconceived notion, conducted their research, interviewed department heads whose responsibilities it is to accurately project the town's future needs.
Not all of the costs were included, but the independent 'study committee' determined that the ANNUAL cost to Palmer, MA would be $18 MILLION to $39 MILLION.
The estimated cost to bring water from the Quabbin was $50 MILLION.
Consistent with the democratic operation of the Town of Palmer, the town council refused to make the report public. It wasn't what they wanted to hear.
NOTE TO BRIMFIELD: Do Your Research!
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