Anti-casino event in Springfield will feature former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger among speakers
08.08.2012 | SPRINGFIELD -- Opponents of a casino located in Springfield gather at the meeting site of a forum featuring members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission at Western New England University. (The Republican [file])
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on June 25, 2013
SPRINGFIELD — The public is invited to hear from three prominent anti-casino advocates, including former Attorney General L. Scott Harshbarger, during an event scheduled Wednesday at the Christ Church Cathedral on Chestnut Street.
The talk is scheduled at 7 p.m., at the church, 35 Chestnut St., and admission is free. The program is sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
The speaking program will be followed by a question-and-answer period.
Scott Harshbarger Supporters of casinos say the projects will bring jobs, economic development and new revenue to the state, while opponents say it will harm small local businesses and worsen social ills related to problem gambling.
In addition to Harshbarger, the speakers at Wednesday’s event include Bob Steele, a former congressman from Connecticut, who has written a new book: “The Curse: Big Time Gambling’s Seduction of a Small New England Town (Levellers Press, Amherst, Mass.) The book is described by the Episcopal diocese as a novel that addresses “the explosion of casino gambling” in Connecticut during the 1990s, in reference to the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun projects.
Great book! You need to read about the community destruction that accompanies Predatory Gambling!
The third speaker is Episcopal Bishop Douglas J. Fisher, described by the diocese as an outspoken advocate for social justice.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will consider approving up to three casinos in state and one slots parlor, including one casino in Western Massachusetts.
There are three casino developments vying for the single gaming license in Western Massachusetts: MGM Resorts International, proposing a casino in the South End of Springfield; Mohegan Sun, proposing a project in Palmer off the Massachusetts Turnpike; and Hard Rock International, proposing a project in West Springfield at the Eastern States Exposition.
“The Diocese is sponsoring the talk to give Springfield area residents an opportunity to hear firsthand about casinos in Connecticut and ask questions about their social and economic effect,” the diocese’s release stated.
Harshbarger is currently senior counsel in the Boston office of Proskauer Rose LLP. He served two terms as Massachusetts Attorney General, and his background also included serving as a public defender, civil rights attorney and district attorney.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/06/anti-casino_event_in_springfie.html
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