Where was on-site inspection ever publicly disclosed???
Isn't it bad enough that members of the Gam[bl]ing Commission speak at fund-raisers that exclude the public and the media and are not publicly disclosed?
Attorney General's Open Meeting Law Guide
What meetings are covered by the Open Meeting Law?
With certain exceptions, all meetings of a public body must be open to the public. A meeting is generally defined as "a deliberation by a public body with respect to any matter within the body's jurisdiction." As explained more fully below, a deliberation is a communication between or among members of a public body.
These four questions will help determine whether a communication constitutes a meeting subject to the law:
1) is the communication between members of a public body;What are the exceptions to the definition of a meeting?
2) does the communication constitute a deliberation;
3) does the communication involve a matter within the body's jurisdiction; and
4) does the communication fall within an exception listed in the law.
There are five exceptions to the definition of a meeting under the Open Meeting Law.
- Members of a public body may conduct an on-site inspection of a project or program; however, they cannot deliberate at such gatherings;
- Members of a public body may attend a conference, training program or event; however, they cannot deliberate at such gatherings;
- Members of a public body may attend a meeting of another public body provided that they communicate only by open participation; however, they cannot deliberate at such gatherings;
Response from the MGC:
Thank you for
your comment. As you pointed out, a site visit is allowed under the Open Meeting
Law. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is now the regulatory authority for the
state’s horse racing industry. As a result, it is critical for gaming
commissioners to have a thorough understanding of racetrack operations, hence
the educational visit. MGC did highlight the visit in advance on both MGC’s
Facebook page and Twitter account. We will also consider including a website
announcement for future visits.
Sincerely,
MGC
The
Massachusetts Gaming Commission
84 State St.,
Suite 720
Boston, MA
02109
(p)
617-979-8400
(f)
617-979-0258
For the
latest news and updates, please visit MGC at:
State board tours Raynham Park
Raynham Park owner hopes to land slots parlor
State Gaming Commissioners Gayle Cameron, from left, Enrique Zuniga and Chairman Stephen Crosby tour the Raynham Park with owner George Carney.
RAYNHAM —
Although Raynham Park owner George Carney has made it no secret that he plans to pursue the lone slots parlor license in the state, members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission insist their visit to the former greyhound track is not linked to such a bid.
The commission, which assumed authority over the horse racing industry in Massachusetts on May 20, visited Raynham Park and the Plainridge Racecourse on Thursday. It is scheduled to make a stop Wednesday at Suffolk Downs.
“We don’t really have an agenda,” Gaming Commissioner Stephen Crosby told Carney and track management. “We’ve been doing racing for two or three months. We thought we should at least visit and see what’s going on.”
Since a statewide ban on live dog racing went into effect Jan. 1, 2010, Raynham Park has continued to operate a betting parlor where patrons can wager money on simulcast horse races from across the country.
Carney said the facility has contributed more than $8.7 million to the state over that span, $4.8 million of which is from Lottery sales.
Earlier this year, the commission hired consultants to conduct an independent comprehensive review of the regulatory system for the Massachusetts racing industry, including simulcast wagering. Under the expanded gambling law, a portion of casino and slot revenue is slated to go into a fund to enhance purses from local horse races. [Taxpayer subsidies to a dead industry.]
During the midday tour of the Raynham facility, park managers led the commission members through the betting parlor, empty function rooms and the printing facility where betting programs are produced.
“As a simulcast facility, it’s a clean, professional, quality facility,” Crosby said.
Crosby declined to comment on the suitability of the 120-acre Raynham site as a potential slots parlor venue. Aside from questions from the press, the topic of slot machines wasn’t raised during the commission’s trip to Raynham.
Under a law passed last year, the state can authorize up to three casinos and one slots parlor in Massachusetts.
Like Carney, Plainridge owner Gary Piontkowski has also expressed interest in running the state’s only slots parlor.
Carney, when asked about his plans for a slots parlor, declined to discuss revenue projections and said little about funding, but insisted that the potential investors he’s lining up would have no problem meeting the minimum $125 million investment and $25 million license fee.
“We’re doing business with people, and that is not an issue,” he said, while declining to identify his potential investors.
The commission, which assumed authority over the horse racing industry in Massachusetts on May 20, visited Raynham Park and the Plainridge Racecourse on Thursday. It is scheduled to make a stop Wednesday at Suffolk Downs.
“We don’t really have an agenda,” Gaming Commissioner Stephen Crosby told Carney and track management. “We’ve been doing racing for two or three months. We thought we should at least visit and see what’s going on.”
Since a statewide ban on live dog racing went into effect Jan. 1, 2010, Raynham Park has continued to operate a betting parlor where patrons can wager money on simulcast horse races from across the country.
Carney said the facility has contributed more than $8.7 million to the state over that span, $4.8 million of which is from Lottery sales.
Earlier this year, the commission hired consultants to conduct an independent comprehensive review of the regulatory system for the Massachusetts racing industry, including simulcast wagering. Under the expanded gambling law, a portion of casino and slot revenue is slated to go into a fund to enhance purses from local horse races. [Taxpayer subsidies to a dead industry.]
During the midday tour of the Raynham facility, park managers led the commission members through the betting parlor, empty function rooms and the printing facility where betting programs are produced.
“As a simulcast facility, it’s a clean, professional, quality facility,” Crosby said.
Crosby declined to comment on the suitability of the 120-acre Raynham site as a potential slots parlor venue. Aside from questions from the press, the topic of slot machines wasn’t raised during the commission’s trip to Raynham.
Under a law passed last year, the state can authorize up to three casinos and one slots parlor in Massachusetts.
Like Carney, Plainridge owner Gary Piontkowski has also expressed interest in running the state’s only slots parlor.
Carney, when asked about his plans for a slots parlor, declined to discuss revenue projections and said little about funding, but insisted that the potential investors he’s lining up would have no problem meeting the minimum $125 million investment and $25 million license fee.
“We’re doing business with people, and that is not an issue,” he said, while declining to identify his potential investors.
His vision for a slots parlor includes a hotel, a movie theater, a bowling alley and a simulcast betting parlor.
He also hopes to benefit from the proposed South Coast Rail expansion, which could bring a train station to the area.
If Carney were to be successful in building a slots parlor, he would face the prospect of running the establishment one town away from Taunton, where the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe is seeking to build a full casino.
Carney, who got his start at the former dog track at age 14 and has worked in the industry for 70 years, said he welcomes competition.
“We found out the best thing for a successful business is to have successful competition,” he said.
“Therefore, you have to be on top of your game seven days a week.”
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/features/x186673927/State-board-tours-former-Raynham-dog-track#ixzz23noPzn00
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