A Senator Lobbying for Predatory Gambling?

Massachusetts voters are historically known for correcting their errors in the next election.
When you vote, please consider the letter to the editor below.

Senator Scott Brown returned from Washington, D.C. - a sitting Senator - to lobby for his buddies at Plainridge.

Is that what we want?  A Senator lobbying for a Slot Barn? For Predatory Gambling?

Gráinne O'Malley

Here's a great letter to the editor about the connection between Scott Brown and expanded predatory gambling:

October 28, 2012
To the Editor,

When the two anti-casino candidates won the Foxboro selectmen races in May 2012, many thought the casino-in-Foxboro issue had been put to rest, particularly when the Kraft Group issued a press release stating it was "suspending" their efforts. However, "suspending" raised a red flag in my mind that they would be back, particularly if the Suffolk Downs location in East Boston and Revere ran into problems.

An article in the October 18th Foxboro Reporter, stated the Kraft Group submitted to the Planning Board on October 11th a set of "draft zoning clarifications/revisions." The article went on to say that a "resort, conference and/or entertainment facilities" and "resort amenities and personal services for occupants of the facilities" would be allowed in the Route 1 economic development area.

The Foxboro Reporter article also said that several people asked the Kraft Group representative if these proposals would allow for a casino. He would not answer their question.

An article in the October 25th Foxboro Reporter notes that a Foxboro Advisory Committee member wants the Kraft Group to sign a legally binding no-casino pledge in order to resolve the casino issue once and for all: "...All it (Kraft Group) needs to do is enter into an agreement...that is legally binding and that runs with the land, and can be recorded with the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds."

The article said that "a spokesman for the Kraft Group declined to comment Tuesday on the proposal."

You know, there's a saying: Sometimes no answer is an answer.

Given the above, a cautious person would have to believe that whatever casino activity was "suspended," no longer is.

I lived in Norfolk when the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority attempted in the 1990's to locate a Sludge Dump on the boundary line between Norfolk and Walpole. After several years of intense opposition to it, we finally stopped it.

A key factor in our success was having elected officials, both state and federal, being in our corner and going to bat for us.

This raises a very important question about the casino issue and the upcoming U. S. Senate race. Where does Scott Brown stand on having a casino on Route One in Foxboro? We can get a pretty good idea by traveling down Route One just four miles from Patriot Place to the Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville.

On April 26, 2012, at Boston.com, Jose Martinez, Boston Globe correspondent, said, "The track owners hope to expand their gambling operation to include the first slot-machine parlor in Massachusetts." They have a "$160 million plan to expand the racetrack."

August 9, 2012 was the opening day to submit applications to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. On August 9, 2012, at www.sunchronicle.com, Jim Hand of the Sun Chronicle, posted that "Plainridge Racecourse formally began the process of applying for a slot machine license by submitting a check for $400,000 to the state Gaming Commission." He said the deposit was non-refundable, and "Plainridge wants the only license the state is offering to operate 1,250 slot machines...." Hand's posting on August 16, 2012, notes that the Plainridge Racecourse is in the process of building a 1,000 car parking garage. "The hope is the garage will serve future customers of a racino the track owners want to build if they win the only state license for a slot machine parlor."

How does Scott Brown fit into the above picture?

On July 20, 2010, over two years ago, at Boston.com, Noah Bierman and Frank Phillips of the Boston Globe staff posted the following: "As a state senator, Brown was a strong advocate for Plainridge Racecourse, whose owner, Gary Piontkowski, has given, with family, $3,250 to Brown's political campaigns since 2003, who attended Brown's swearing-in as a (United States) senator, and who co-owned a horse with Brown's daughter."

"Senator Scott Brown has lobbied both Governor Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray to legalize slot machines at the state's race tracks according to the governor and a legislative official on Beacon Hill....Brown called Murray in April (2010), shortly after the House passed a bill allowing slots at the race tracks, to voice his support and suggested that the Legislature authorize 1,500 slot machines at each track."

Harness Tracks of America's Executive Newsletter of July 31, 2008, noted that Scott Brown's daughter became a partner in ownership of a racing horse in April 2008 with Plainridge Racecourse president Gary Piontkowski. This was raised during a session of the Massachusetts State Senate when it was considering extension of the Massachusetts simulcasting law. The Newsletter stated that Scott Brown "pointed out that he had worked on behalf of Plainridge long before his daughter owned a horse..."

On January 26, 2009, at www.sunchronicle.com Michael Gelbwasser of the Sun Chronicle staff posted an article about a public meeting held at the race tack by Plainridge Racecourse President Gary Piontkowski to promote slot machines at race tracks. Gelbwasser wrote that Piontkowski "invited Plainville residents, town and state lawmakers and horsemen to the session."

State Senator Scott Brown attended the session and said: "If you folks are going to continue to support it, then we'll support it in the Legislature." Gelbwasser also wrote, "Plainridge Racecourse President Gary Piontkowski said Sunday he and his partners are ready to fund a $100 to 125 million renovation and expansion of the Route 1 track immediately if state lawmakers allow 1,500 slot machines there." It's interesting that in the above Boston Globe article about Scott Brown discussing slots at race tracks with Governor Patrick and Senate President Murray, that he suggested the same number of slot machines, "1500."

Harness Tracks of America's Executive Newsletter of January 26, 2009, commented on this meeting: "In making his renewed pitch for slots, Gary Piontkowski has the support of two Republican legislators representing Plainridge's district. Rep. Richard Ross of Wrentham and State Senator Scott Brown, both are strong supporters of slots for the track."

Harnessracing.com stated the following on January 20, 2010, the day after Scott Brown won the Special U. S. Senate Election: "Newly elected Republican senator from Massachusetts, Scott Brown, is no stranger to harness racing....As it happens, the senator...is a personal friend of Gary Piontkowski, president of Plainridge Racecourse." And on February 1, 2010, Harnessracing.com stated, "The Brown family is close friends with Plainridge Racecourse owner Gary Piontkowski...."

An article by Ray Poirer in GamingToday.com said the following on August 2, 2010: "Piontkowski is known to have a strong backer in recently-elected Sen. Scott Brown."

An article by Boston Globe correspondent Scott Van Voorhis, at www.bostonglobe.com on January 27, 2011, details the ownership of Plainridge Racecourse:

 Nineteen investors have a stake in the track. He lists four of the 19: Stanley Fulton of Las Vegas. "Fulton is the largest single investor in the track, with a 31 percent stake" Alfred Ross, "a businessman based in South Dartmouth, is Plainridge's second largest investor, with a 29.9 percent stake...." Gary "Piontkowski has the third largest stake, with a 7.4 percent share in the track."

"Patrick Carney, head of a Bridgewater-based real estate company, Claremont Management...is one of the smaller investors with a 1 percent share."

www.newsmax.com posted the following on July 9, 2010: "Records show the track's owner Gary Piontkowski gave Brown the maximum $500 annual state campaign contribution during his six-year tenure in the Massachusetts Senate, for a total of $2,750 in contributions."

www.opensecrets.org shows the following:

Stanley Fulton of Los Vegas, Nevada, donated to Scott Brown $2,400 on December 29, 2009, and $2,400 on January 31, 2011.

Mrs. Becky Fulton of Los Vegas, Nevada, donated $2,600 on April 26, 2012 to Scott Brown.

Alfred S. Ross of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, donated to Scott Brown $500 on October 31, 2009; $1,500 on January 20, 2010; and $2,400 on February 2, 2011.

 Apparently, $1,400 was returned to him on May 19, 2011.

Mr. Patrick Carney, Claremont Company/Chairman/CEO, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, donated $1,000 on March 29, 2010, to Scott Brown.

 Mr. Patrick Carney, Claremont Companies/Chairman & CEO, Palm Beach, Florida, donated $1,000 on January 20, 2010, and $1,000 on November 28, 2011, to Scott Brown.

Mr. Patrick Carney, Jr., of Boston, Massachusetts, donated $250 on March 29, 2010, to Scott Brown.
Mr. Patrick Carney, Jr. Bridgewater, Massachusetts,--Claremont--donated $250 on June 26, 2012, to Scott Brown.

You might say that if the slots go into Plainville, that decreases the chances of a casino going into Foxboro. Unfortunately, not so.

At www.sunchronicle.com, Jim Hand of the Sun Chronicle staff posted the following on December 7, 2011: "Gambling venues just miles apart in Plainville and Foxboro are economically viable because they would attract a different clientele, two industry analysts said Tuesday....The racino at the Plainridge Racecourse would draw mostly local gamblers who just want to play the slot machines....The Wynn casino would be an attraction for gamblers and tourists from throughout the United States."

Like I said, we won the Sludge Dump battle because of the help of federal and state elected officials who went to bat for us.

So anti-casino folks, if you live near Route one--Walpole, Foxboro, Norfolk, Wrentham, Plainville or Mansfield--you need to factor in the casino issue on who to vote for in the U. S. Senate race. Given Scott Brown's long time support for gambling on Route One, if you're going to vote for him, you really should reconsider your vote. If you haven't made up your mind yet, Scott Brown's long time support for gambling on Route One, needs to be seriously considered in making your decision.

I know I'm not going to roll the dice with Scott Brown.

Charles DiPompo
Foxboro