Sunday, May 5, 2013
Slow slots
Deliberation and patience key to process
The design, placement and operation of slot machines is predicated on speed, getting players into the venue, entertaining them, and keeping them there to spend their money. But the design and execution of a proper host community agreement — one that fully protects Worcester from the problems that a slots parlor could bring or exacerbate — is a very deliberative process, one that is likely to take months of back-and-forth information sharing and negotiations between the developer and the city manager.
That is as it should be. The decision whether to site a slots parlor must not be hurried or short-circuited by impatience on the part of advocates or opponents, it must not be dictated by timelines facing the developer, and it must unfold without regard to the political calendar.
While a public referendum will be held, and approval is needed for the proposal to advance, that referendum can only be held between 60 and 90 days from the completion of a host agreement.
Based upon the very detailed and demanding list of elements that must go into such an agreement, residents and those on both sides of the slots debate should anticipate many weeks of talks and negotiations.
In an April 30 memo to the City Council, City Manager Michael V. O’Brien lists three pages of points to be addressed, including detailed layout of the slots parlor, security arrangements, employment practices, impact on Worcester and surrounding communities, and mitigation measures to address problem gambling.
The site development plans must address still more specific issues, including sustainable development principles for energy use, use of local businesses for supplies, and development of a diverse workforce training program.
The manager’s memo also includes a requirement that the proponent detail any contracts it may have with organized labor. That point alone could be contentious, as Rush Street Gaming has already inked a Memorandum of Understanding with local labor unions that calls for construction work to use 100 percent union labor. Such a deal would fly in the face of the city’s general practices.
As Mr. O’Brien notes in his memo to councilors, “Time is of the essence.” But timeliness is not always about getting something done quickly. In this case, it should be read as getting to an agreement that works for all. Only then can voters be sure their referendum votes will be informed ones, and their verdict the best possible outcome for Worcester.
That is as it should be. The decision whether to site a slots parlor must not be hurried or short-circuited by impatience on the part of advocates or opponents, it must not be dictated by timelines facing the developer, and it must unfold without regard to the political calendar.
While a public referendum will be held, and approval is needed for the proposal to advance, that referendum can only be held between 60 and 90 days from the completion of a host agreement.
Based upon the very detailed and demanding list of elements that must go into such an agreement, residents and those on both sides of the slots debate should anticipate many weeks of talks and negotiations.
In an April 30 memo to the City Council, City Manager Michael V. O’Brien lists three pages of points to be addressed, including detailed layout of the slots parlor, security arrangements, employment practices, impact on Worcester and surrounding communities, and mitigation measures to address problem gambling.
The site development plans must address still more specific issues, including sustainable development principles for energy use, use of local businesses for supplies, and development of a diverse workforce training program.
The manager’s memo also includes a requirement that the proponent detail any contracts it may have with organized labor. That point alone could be contentious, as Rush Street Gaming has already inked a Memorandum of Understanding with local labor unions that calls for construction work to use 100 percent union labor. Such a deal would fly in the face of the city’s general practices.
As Mr. O’Brien notes in his memo to councilors, “Time is of the essence.” But timeliness is not always about getting something done quickly. In this case, it should be read as getting to an agreement that works for all. Only then can voters be sure their referendum votes will be informed ones, and their verdict the best possible outcome for Worcester.
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