April 13, 2009, the Palmer Citizens Casino Impact Study Committee submitted a report to the Palmer Town Council that determined the annual mitigation costs to host Mohegan Sun would be $18.3 MILLION to $39.9 MILLION ANNUALLY, with an estimated INITIAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT COST of $46.7 MILLION to $147.8 MILLION.
The report was ignored.
Middleboro's Selectmen accepted gifts, attended parties and events and treated the Mashpee Wampanoag as friends, not a business coming to town.
Taunton was much the same, blinded by the dazzle of Fools' Gold.
Mayor Menino and Senator Petrucelli accepted 'charitable contributions' from Richard Fields, owner of Suffolk Downs, successfully avoiding disclosure.
Has anyone in Springfield mentioned COSTS?
Too many seem to forget that in order for casinos to profit, local residents need to lose $$$.
Pols told to be ‘very careful’
Urged to avoid Springfield casino schmooze
By Dave WedgeSunday, November 11, 2012
Springfield elected officials have been warned to steer clear of parties, giveaways or other events sponsored by potential casino bidders to avoid any conflicts of interest, a top city official said.
“Anyone in a decision-making or advisory capacity has to be very careful,” said Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer and chairman of the casino advisory committee.
The Herald reported yesterday that Ameristar and MGM — locked in a battle to build a casino resort in Springfield — have been shelling out cash for parties to woo supporters and blanketing the city with an aggressive marketing blitz campaign.
Kennedy said of the spending spree: “The PR efforts they are making are good for Springfield. It’s creating a good atmosphere. But we’re taking it one step at a time.”
Meanwhile, Mohegan Sun, which is also looking to bring a casino to Western Massachusetts, has had an office in Palmer for four years, sponsors the Big E agricultural fair and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield and donates money annually to Holyoke for its St. Patrick’s Day parade and to Palmer for its annual Palmer Day festivities, a spokesman said.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Mitchell Etess trumpeted the “great support” for the Palmer project and said, “It’s been clear ... just how strong the interest level and excitement is for our project.”
The state passed a casino law a year ago, setting the stage for three casinos and one slots-only gaming parlor in the state. Ameristar, MGM, Mohegan Sun and Penn National are among the players competing for the Western Massachusetts casino license. Suffolk Downs so far is the only one in the running for the Eastern Massachusetts license, although plans have been floated for Crossroads Resort in Milford and the Herald reported last week that Everett has had preliminary talks with Hard Rock International for a proposal there. Rush Street Gaming also is reportedly eyeing sites in the state.
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs last month rejected a gaming compact between the state and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which was given special rights to a casino license in Taunton in southeastern Massachusetts, sending that proposal back to the drawing board.
Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville is bidding for the slots parlor license, while Raynham Park also has expressed interest in opening a slots parlor.
The state Gaming Commission, which has been meeting with applicants and others who have expressed interest in opening a casino, doesn’t expect the first license to be awarded until 2014.
Erin Smith contributed to this report.
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20221111pols_told_to_be_very_careful_urged_to_avoid_springfield_casino_schmooze
“Anyone in a decision-making or advisory capacity has to be very careful,” said Kevin Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer and chairman of the casino advisory committee.
The Herald reported yesterday that Ameristar and MGM — locked in a battle to build a casino resort in Springfield — have been shelling out cash for parties to woo supporters and blanketing the city with an aggressive marketing blitz campaign.
Kennedy said of the spending spree: “The PR efforts they are making are good for Springfield. It’s creating a good atmosphere. But we’re taking it one step at a time.”
Meanwhile, Mohegan Sun, which is also looking to bring a casino to Western Massachusetts, has had an office in Palmer for four years, sponsors the Big E agricultural fair and the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield and donates money annually to Holyoke for its St. Patrick’s Day parade and to Palmer for its annual Palmer Day festivities, a spokesman said.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Mitchell Etess trumpeted the “great support” for the Palmer project and said, “It’s been clear ... just how strong the interest level and excitement is for our project.”
The state passed a casino law a year ago, setting the stage for three casinos and one slots-only gaming parlor in the state. Ameristar, MGM, Mohegan Sun and Penn National are among the players competing for the Western Massachusetts casino license. Suffolk Downs so far is the only one in the running for the Eastern Massachusetts license, although plans have been floated for Crossroads Resort in Milford and the Herald reported last week that Everett has had preliminary talks with Hard Rock International for a proposal there. Rush Street Gaming also is reportedly eyeing sites in the state.
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs last month rejected a gaming compact between the state and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which was given special rights to a casino license in Taunton in southeastern Massachusetts, sending that proposal back to the drawing board.
Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville is bidding for the slots parlor license, while Raynham Park also has expressed interest in opening a slots parlor.
The state Gaming Commission, which has been meeting with applicants and others who have expressed interest in opening a casino, doesn’t expect the first license to be awarded until 2014.
Erin Smith contributed to this report.
http://bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20221111pols_told_to_be_very_careful_urged_to_avoid_springfield_casino_schmooze
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