Well known for that old 'putting the cart before the horse' silliness, Beacon Hill was too busy meeting behind closed doors, crafting Predatory Gambling legislation while having their egos stroked by lobbyists to listen.
The moment is upon us and the consequences dire.
Who listened?
Big Dig anyone?
About to impose serious consequences on surrounding south shore communities, there are no remedies, there is no attention.
Governor Slot Barns Patrick, too focused on elsewhere, knowing he would be out of office when the impacts destroyed communities, left a legacy of Sham.
Each proposed Slot Barn location bears massive infrastructure costs and much else.
And there's that Ropes & Gray connection hovering and much else.
So much for false promises of ending the 'Big Dig culture' when it was illusion and the catastrophic reality will impact small communities.
State Gaming Commission to meet in Lakeville about proposed East Taunton casino
Taunton —
Officials from surrounding communities will have a chance next week to voice their concerns to the state about the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s proposed casino in East Taunton, but they may not get much in the way of answers.
The State Gaming Commission will be on hand from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12 at the Lakeville Council on Aging to gather input from southeastern Massachusetts towns. The meeting was scheduled at the request of state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, whose district includes sections of Middleboro, Lakeville and Taunton.
“We clarified with her that we will not be able to give very much in terms of specifics,” Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said during Monday’s weekly commission meeting, which was broadcast live on the commission’s website.
Crosby was out of town and participated in the meeting via conference call.
“It will be a listening opportunity for the Gaming Commission,” Orrall said when reached by phone after the meeting. “It’s a step in the process for helping them understand the issues the surrounding communities will be facing.”
Since the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is pursuing a tribal gaming license under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the state Gaming Commission’s involvement in the process is limited. The tribe is currently negotiating a gambling compact with Gov. Deval Patrick.
The Gaming Commission oversees commercial casino licensure, but says it is not privy to the confidential negotiations between the tribe and the governor.
“I think they (the commissioners) are trying to promote openness and transparency,” Orrall said. “We’re not getting that out of the governor’s office.”
The compact is expected to specify how to mitigate the casino’s regional impact on infrastructure and will outline how much tribal casino revenue will be collected by the state.
State and tribal officials haven’t publicly discussed specifics, but have said they are aware of the concerns some communities have expressed and plan to address them.
Under the state’s gambling law, up to one casino will be authorized in each of three regions of Massachusetts. The law includes a provision that gives a federally recognized American Indian tribe an exclusive window in which to pursue the casino for the southeastern Massachusetts region. If the state and the tribe are unable to reach a compact by July 31, however, commercial entities will be allowed to bid for the southeastern Massachusetts casino license.
“I know that the understanding was that surrounding towns would be included in the next step,” Orrall said. “It doesn’t feel like we’re being heard.”
She said she’s encouraged the Gaming Commission has scheduled the meeting.
“It’s a step of helping people understand the process and the role the Gaming Commission has in this,” Orrall said. “I think we need to hear what their perspective is. I think it’s important to establish a dialogue. It’s important for them to understand the Gaming Commission is trying to work with surrounding communities.”
Contact Gerry Tuoti at gtuoti@tauntongazette.com.
The State Gaming Commission will be on hand from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 12 at the Lakeville Council on Aging to gather input from southeastern Massachusetts towns. The meeting was scheduled at the request of state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, whose district includes sections of Middleboro, Lakeville and Taunton.
“We clarified with her that we will not be able to give very much in terms of specifics,” Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby said during Monday’s weekly commission meeting, which was broadcast live on the commission’s website.
Crosby was out of town and participated in the meeting via conference call.
“It will be a listening opportunity for the Gaming Commission,” Orrall said when reached by phone after the meeting. “It’s a step in the process for helping them understand the issues the surrounding communities will be facing.”
Since the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is pursuing a tribal gaming license under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the state Gaming Commission’s involvement in the process is limited. The tribe is currently negotiating a gambling compact with Gov. Deval Patrick.
The Gaming Commission oversees commercial casino licensure, but says it is not privy to the confidential negotiations between the tribe and the governor.
“I think they (the commissioners) are trying to promote openness and transparency,” Orrall said. “We’re not getting that out of the governor’s office.”
The compact is expected to specify how to mitigate the casino’s regional impact on infrastructure and will outline how much tribal casino revenue will be collected by the state.
State and tribal officials haven’t publicly discussed specifics, but have said they are aware of the concerns some communities have expressed and plan to address them.
Under the state’s gambling law, up to one casino will be authorized in each of three regions of Massachusetts. The law includes a provision that gives a federally recognized American Indian tribe an exclusive window in which to pursue the casino for the southeastern Massachusetts region. If the state and the tribe are unable to reach a compact by July 31, however, commercial entities will be allowed to bid for the southeastern Massachusetts casino license.
“I know that the understanding was that surrounding towns would be included in the next step,” Orrall said. “It doesn’t feel like we’re being heard.”
She said she’s encouraged the Gaming Commission has scheduled the meeting.
“It’s a step of helping people understand the process and the role the Gaming Commission has in this,” Orrall said. “I think we need to hear what their perspective is. I think it’s important to establish a dialogue. It’s important for them to understand the Gaming Commission is trying to work with surrounding communities.”
Contact Gerry Tuoti at gtuoti@tauntongazette.com.
Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x1446669472/State-Gaming-Commission-to-meet-in-Lakeville-about-proposed-East-Taunton-casino#ixzz1zVcfKzP5
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