Ugly Cast of Characters and Stupidity: Duh?

The Palmer Casino Study Group determined that a Slot Barn in Palmer would cost:

$18 MILLION to $39 MILLION ANNUALLY

Isn't that the same study PAUL BURNS REFUSED TO DISCUSS PUBLICLY?

A small group of vehicles traveling through Palmer, MA, brought traffic to a standstill, successfully proving that ANY increased traffic is IMPOSSIBLE!


Yet, Paul Burns, perennial Slot Barn cheerleader insists, begs, salivates, genuflects and continues to make statements of questionable ethics for personal gain, that the financially insolvent Tribe should bankrupt the small town of Palmer, MA.

If Paul Burns spent as much time, effort and energy rebuilding the community as he has schmoozing and glad handing with the insolvent Tribe, the community would be bustling.

Add to the mix The Republican, unable to print the facts, ignoring opposition letters to the editor, deleting online opposition comments, perhaps based on dreams of future advertising revenues and shunning the truth.

People who have formed their opinions based on flashing neon lights, the glitter of Fools' Gold, ignored the 'downsizing' of the Slot Barn to ridiculous size and the phony promises.

And now The Republican, with an apparent reading comprehension problem, refusing to read the legislation, publishes the article below?

Here's the legislation:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/journal/desktop/Current%20Agenda%202011/H3807-11.pdf



Note to Palmer: You gotta elect people with brains


Mohegan Sun pledges $50,000 for host community agreement with Palmer; refinances $1 billion in debt
By Lori Stabile, The Republican

PALMER — A day after the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority refinanced approximately $1 billion in debt, it announced that it would provide an initial payment of $50,000 to the town to pay for expenses related to the host community agreement for its proposed casino here.

The authority, which operates Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut, wants to open a $500 million casino across from the Massachusetts Turnpike exit on Thorndike Street (Route 32).

Town Council President Paul E. Burns called the money a "good first step" in the negotiation process.

Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard said that the money will help fund consulting fees, as numerous studies will be conducted to determine the casino's impacts. He said that Mohegan is in agreement that the total cost of studies will be approximately $275,000.

He said he will ask for more money as the process moves forward.

Areas to be studied include the casino's impact on traffic and public safety, as well as the tax impact.

While Palmer stands to gain additional property tax revenue and meals tax revenue, it also could lose state aid and Chapter 70 educational funding if it becomes what is considered to be a wealthier community, Blanchard said.

"We are moving forward with a host community agreement with a mutual understanding of what work will need to be done on the part of the town," Blanchard said.

Blanchard noted that the full Gaming Commission has not been appointed, and estimated that it will be late this year, or sometime next year, by the time it calls for applications for a casino license.

A host community agreement is required before a binding vote can take place, which is required through the legislation. The agreement will detail the responsibilities of the gaming operator, and conditions for building in Palmer. And a community must have a favorable vote before a casino project can move forward.


Mitchell Etess
“We understand the importance of this initial payment to help the town of Palmer in the host community agreement process,” Mitchell Etess, chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, said in a statement. “We look forward to the continuation of the host community agreement process and anticipate additional financial commitments to the town of Palmer in the months ahead.”

The refinancing, which was extended several times, was finally completed this week.

The refinancing of about $1 billion will buy it more time to develop its business and pay down debt, Etess told the Associated Press.

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which also operates a casino in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., negotiated with lenders the exchange of several notes, extending the due date for repayment to 2016 and 2018. The earliest notes were due next year.

The deal is expected to be approved by investors, according to Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozsum, chairman of the authority's management board and Mohegan Tribal Council.

In addition to renegotiating debt of $961.8 million, the tribal gaming authority said it
also established $225 million in credit.

Investors have been nervous about Mohegan's debt because Mohegan cannot file for bankruptcy and creditors can't foreclose on its properties because tribal governments are sovereign.

Keith Foley, an analyst at Moody's Investors Service, said the gaming authority did not reduce its debt load, but won time for more flexibility. Even if the economy improves, he said Mohegan Sun will face increasing competition in the Northeast that will limit earnings, due in part to the plans to build casinos in Massachusetts.

Burns, who issued a press release commending the refinancing, said it will "help to reposition them as a strong competitor for a gaming license." Burns again said he is interested in meeting with developers interested in supporting and enhancing economic development opportunities provided by a casino development.

Palmer is competing for the lone Western Massachusetts casino license with three other communities – Springfield, where Ameristar has purchased the old Westinghouse site for a casino; Brimfield, where MGM Resorts International wants to build in the northwest corner of town; and Holyoke, where Hard Rock International identified Wyckoff Country Club as its casino site.

But the Holyoke project faces opposition from the new mayor, who is opposed to casinos.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report