Cromwell: "Threats" will not deter the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
Chairman says proposed Taunton casino will move forward despite obstacles
Article | | By Maggie Kulbokas
In a statement released Monday, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell said the Tribe is not deterred despite "threats" to the proposed resort casino in Taunton.
The Tribe was originally given exclusive rights to the Southeastern region, but this week, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will vote on whether or not they will open the region to commercial bids.
According to Cromwell, despite what he calls "threats from would-be commercial developers and opponents of Native American rights", the proposed plans to build in Taunton will move forward.
Project First Light--the name given to the proposed resort in Taunton has a green light from the City of Taunton and Governor Deval Patrick who recently approved a revised compact with the Mashpee after the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs nixed the first compact.
Barring the outcome of the gaming commission's vote this week to allow commercial bidders into the Southeastern region, the Tribe is still waiting on the BIA for final land in trust approval.
“As soon as our land is placed in trust, we are prepared to break ground and provide good jobs to thousands of local people,” Cromwell said.
In February, the Tribe received what they called a "favorable preliminary opinion" from the BIA. The Tribe's land in trust application includes land in both Mashpee and Taunton.
Cromwell expects the BIA to make a decision on the land in trust by the end of this year.
Again yesterday, Cromwell threatened that opening the Southeastern region to commercial bidders would cost the commonwealth. “We also will not be deterred by any action of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. While we continue to wonder why they are ignoring the intent of Governor Patrick and the Legislature, whatever decision they make regarding opening Region C to commercial bid will not stop us from moving forward. It does, however, risk having two casinos in Southeastern Massachusetts and four in the state. In this case, our Tribe will pay no revenue to the state, and according to the state’s own research, will destroy the economic model on which the state based its Expanded Gaming Law. This will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Cromwell.
The Tribe was originally given exclusive rights to the Southeastern region, but this week, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission will vote on whether or not they will open the region to commercial bids.
According to Cromwell, despite what he calls "threats from would-be commercial developers and opponents of Native American rights", the proposed plans to build in Taunton will move forward.
Project First Light--the name given to the proposed resort in Taunton has a green light from the City of Taunton and Governor Deval Patrick who recently approved a revised compact with the Mashpee after the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs nixed the first compact.
Barring the outcome of the gaming commission's vote this week to allow commercial bidders into the Southeastern region, the Tribe is still waiting on the BIA for final land in trust approval.
“As soon as our land is placed in trust, we are prepared to break ground and provide good jobs to thousands of local people,” Cromwell said.
In February, the Tribe received what they called a "favorable preliminary opinion" from the BIA. The Tribe's land in trust application includes land in both Mashpee and Taunton.
Cromwell expects the BIA to make a decision on the land in trust by the end of this year.
Again yesterday, Cromwell threatened that opening the Southeastern region to commercial bidders would cost the commonwealth. “We also will not be deterred by any action of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. While we continue to wonder why they are ignoring the intent of Governor Patrick and the Legislature, whatever decision they make regarding opening Region C to commercial bid will not stop us from moving forward. It does, however, risk having two casinos in Southeastern Massachusetts and four in the state. In this case, our Tribe will pay no revenue to the state, and according to the state’s own research, will destroy the economic model on which the state based its Expanded Gaming Law. This will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Cromwell.
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