This was a great informational forum conducted by the Gam[bl]ing Commission that is worth watching in its entirety when the video is posted. It deserves wide circulation and discussion for the many issues raised - including the need for TRANSPARENCY which has been sorely lacking.
Gaming expert cautions towns
June 19, 2012
FRAMINGHAM — Guiding cities and towns through the process of hosting a casino or having one nearby will take care, expertise and money, according to planning experts.
At an educational forum hosted by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel on Monday, regional planners, a casino critic, a Dedham attorney and a former Nevada city planner spoke about mitigating the impact of a casino on the state's towns.
"Level the playing field," Mary Kay Peck, the former city manager and planning director for Henderson, Nev., said. "You need sharp expertise at the local level to match the gaming industry."
The state legislation that authorizes three casinos and a single slot parlor requires casino developers to enter into agreements with host cities and also allows the gaming commission to identify neighboring towns that will feel a direct impact.
Kathleen Conley Norbut, a former Monson selectman and an outspoken casino opponent with United to Stop Slots, ticked off a list for the commission to consider, such as traffic, public safety and education.
Peck said the effects of a casino on government services and community character are "substantial and long-lasting."
"They do not go away," she said.
In a meeting after the session, gaming commissioners said they understand the need to assist local communities, especially some of the smaller towns that have limited staffs. The commission also wrestled with how to to help towns pay for legal assistance before funding comes in from the casino industry.
They discussed putting out a statement saying that there's no need for host communities to feel rushed into negotiating with developers at this point. Commissioners also promised to put together a timeline or checklist that will help cities and towns figure out the steps they need to take.
"This, for me, crystallized the need to move forward," commissioner James McHugh said.
The forum attracted a large audience with the majority, in a show of hands, identifying themselves as either elected or appointed officials.
Some of them were from Southeastern Massachusetts concerned about the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's proposed $500 million casino in Taunton. Though the gaming commission does not have direct jurisdiction over that proposal and often defers to the compact negotiations between the tribe and Gov. Deval Patrick, officials from area towns asked for help.
"There should be money up front to give to some of these towns," Berkley Selectman Stephen Castellina said. His town has already spent $1,000 in legal fees attempting to set up a meeting with the tribe, he said. "If you don't have any money, you don't have any power."
Several Middleboro officials, including Town Planner Ruth Geoffrey and school board member Brian Giovanoni, also warned that in their experience things can move quickly and catch towns off guard.
Middleboro struck a deal with the tribe in 2007 that the Wampanoag have abandoned.
In the case of Middleboro, there was simply no reason to cram the deal through. Too many of us remember the facts.
Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District, who served on Monday's panel, told the commission the Southeastern Massachusetts region's experience with the tribe demonstrates the need to get other communities involved in mitigation talks. That didn't happen in 2007 and surrounding towns became vocal opponents of the casino project, he said.
"It became very polarized," Smith said.
He also asked the gaming commission to clarify its role in the tribe's casino proposal.
McHugh said commissioners are waiting to see what's negotiated in the compact between Patrick and the tribe.
That makes people in the towns that neighbor Taunton nervous, said state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, who attended the forum.
"Once the compact is set, it's going to be hard to amend it," she said.
Gaming commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said he believes residents will have a voice in the Indian casino.
"There will be time to have these same types of community concerns addressed," he said. "I know that is the wish of the governor and the Legislature."
Oh? When?
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