Ignoring all evidence .......
Mashpee Wampanoag give Taunton $1.5 million initial casino payment
TAUNTON —
Taunton got its first taste of casino money this morning when representatives of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe stopped by City Hall to drop off a $1.5 million check.
“This just further proves the tribe’s commitment to the city of Taunton with this project,” said Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. “We’re certainly excited about this opportunity for economic development and job creation in Taunton and southeastern Massachusetts.”
Hoye said the $1.5 million would be used for smaller projects in the city, including getting proper studies done on the old Elizabeth Pole Elementary School and the former Leonard School before the buildings can be torn down. Hoye said another project that will be funded through the payment is a traffic study at the intersection of Williams Street and Gordon Owen Riverway.
Hoye said “the rest of the money is going to be put into reserves for future projects,” and that a small portion will go to Taunton public schools.
“We’re excited for the continued relationship with the tribe,” Hoye said. “We want to see it through to fruition.”
“What this represents is the commitment between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the city of Taunton,” Cromwell said. “Together we have bonded in a meaningful relationship, about jobs, economic development, a boon for the city of Taunton, a great boon for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and southeastern Massachusetts. We are going to walk together and be successful. It’s another step in our journey toward our prosperity and success. ... This is big.”
A Malaysian casino giant named the Genting Group is funding the tribe’s effort to bring a gaming destination to the Silver City.
According to the gaming compact agreed to by Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee, 21.5 percent of gross gaming revenues would go to the state.
Besides the $1.5 million initial payment, Taunton is due to receive annual payments of 2.05 percent of electronic games revenue amounting to no less than $8 million per year. The tribe would make payments in lieu of taxes based on the real estate value of the casino development and make an estimated $15.5 million in payments for upgraded infrastructure and the hiring of new public safety personnel, according to the contract. The developer would also fund improvements along nearby state roads, according to the environmental filing.
The Mashpee, however, still need to gain approval by the U.S. Department of Interior for a land into federal trust agreement before the Tribe can build its proposed $500 million casino in Taunton. The process of federal trust approval could take years, and some critics have already said that it could be rejected because of the state’s profit would be too high.
Taunton received its first payment, $1.5 million, from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Wednesday, Aug. 22, as part of the intergovernmental agreement for the tribe to build a resort casino in the city under the state's gaming legislation. From left, Mark Harding, treasurer of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe; Cedric Cromwell, tribal chairman; Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr.; and city councilors Deborah Carr and Daniel Barbour.
The initial payment is part of the tribe's intergovernmental agreement with Taunton to allow the tribe to build a resort casino in the city under the state’s gaming legislation.
“This just further proves the tribe’s commitment to the city of Taunton with this project,” said Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. “We’re certainly excited about this opportunity for economic development and job creation in Taunton and southeastern Massachusetts.”
Hoye said the $1.5 million would be used for smaller projects in the city, including getting proper studies done on the old Elizabeth Pole Elementary School and the former Leonard School before the buildings can be torn down. Hoye said another project that will be funded through the payment is a traffic study at the intersection of Williams Street and Gordon Owen Riverway.
Hoye said “the rest of the money is going to be put into reserves for future projects,” and that a small portion will go to Taunton public schools.
“We’re excited for the continued relationship with the tribe,” Hoye said. “We want to see it through to fruition.”
Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said that Wednesday was a great day for the tribe.
“What this represents is the commitment between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the city of Taunton,” Cromwell said. “Together we have bonded in a meaningful relationship, about jobs, economic development, a boon for the city of Taunton, a great boon for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and southeastern Massachusetts. We are going to walk together and be successful. It’s another step in our journey toward our prosperity and success. ... This is big.”
A Malaysian casino giant named the Genting Group is funding the tribe’s effort to bring a gaming destination to the Silver City.
According to the gaming compact agreed to by Gov. Deval Patrick and the Mashpee, 21.5 percent of gross gaming revenues would go to the state.
Besides the $1.5 million initial payment, Taunton is due to receive annual payments of 2.05 percent of electronic games revenue amounting to no less than $8 million per year. The tribe would make payments in lieu of taxes based on the real estate value of the casino development and make an estimated $15.5 million in payments for upgraded infrastructure and the hiring of new public safety personnel, according to the contract. The developer would also fund improvements along nearby state roads, according to the environmental filing.
The Mashpee, however, still need to gain approval by the U.S. Department of Interior for a land into federal trust agreement before the Tribe can build its proposed $500 million casino in Taunton. The process of federal trust approval could take years, and some critics have already said that it could be rejected because of the state’s profit would be too high.
Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x1587350459/Mashpee-Wampanoag-give-Taunton-1-5-million-initial-casino-payment#ixzz24NGRmERB
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