Not one single person asked about the future expansion that is known and has been publicly discussed.
This is the face of Gambling Addiction ......
The McDonald's of Gambling
Of patrons' visits:
"You said 150 to 200 times a year," he repeated. "That's three to four times a week, essentially."
"Yes," Jonas confirmed, most of his players fit that profile. In fact, because Parx players tend to live within 20 miles of Street Road, many go even more frequently.
"We have customers," Jonas boasted, "who give us $25, $30 five times a week."
Parx: The McDonald's of Gambling Addiction and Child Abandonment
Consultants say Raynham slot plan won't add lanes to Route 138
RAYNHAM —
Local officials in Raynham held an informational forum on Tuesday night featuring a presentation by the town’s consultant on the proposed slot parlor casino that could be coming to the community.
Bob Birmingham, of the Stonington, Conn.-based B&S Consulting, along with traffic consultant Scott Hesketh, gave a presentation at the meeting about the proposed $125 million Raynham Park slot casino. The two then fielded questions from residents at the meeting, which was held at Raynham Town Hall.
Birmingham summarized the events that have led up to a scheduled Aug. 13 town referendum vote, on whether to approve or refuse the host community agreement reached between Raynham Selectmen and Raynham Park owner George Carney with his partners at Greenwood Racing/Parx.
The election is being held at Raynham Middle School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Birmingham gave his firm’s conclusions about the impact of the slot casino on Route 138 traffic, water and sewer service and other resources.
Paul Dooley asked about how the road would be widened on Route 138, and questioned how it could be done without infringing on wetlands in the area. Dooley also asked if there were going to be additional lanes created, but Hesketh said it would remain one lane in each direction.
Birmingham said the road would only be widened in front of the building, and explained how a new traffic light would be installed to accommodate guests going in and out of Raynham Park.
Birmingham said that the traffic and the demand on water and the peak levels of traffic “will be significantly less” at Raynham Park if the 1,250-machine slot parlor is created, than when the dog track was in its heyday.
However, North Raynham Water District Commissioner Michael Lalli spoke out, saying he believes the current water capacity for the town would not meet the water needs at Raynham Park. Lalli said the town would have to have a “sizable redevelopment” to meet the slot casino’s water needs.
Birmingham said that from his firm’s research, water infrastructure improvements would not be needed for phase one of the Raynham Park slot casino project, but that potential future phases including a hotel may need redevelopment. Birmingham also said that in the community host agreement, Raynham Park agreed to pay for any improvements that are needed as a result of the slot casino plans.
Birmingham talked about the benefits of the community host agreement, which is highlighted by an annual $1.1 million mitigation payment from Raynham Park to the town. Birmingham reminded residents that the state’s gaming legislation would result in 40 percent of the facility’s revenue going back to the state, and that there would also be local property taxes amounting to at least $2.5 million per year just based on the state mandated minimum investment of $125 million. Birmingham said that the community would also benefit from other taxes on the gaming destination, including a room tax on a 200-bed hotel that is in the long-term plans for Raynham Park.
Bob Birmingham, of the Stonington, Conn.-based B&S Consulting, along with traffic consultant Scott Hesketh, gave a presentation at the meeting about the proposed $125 million Raynham Park slot casino. The two then fielded questions from residents at the meeting, which was held at Raynham Town Hall.
Birmingham summarized the events that have led up to a scheduled Aug. 13 town referendum vote, on whether to approve or refuse the host community agreement reached between Raynham Selectmen and Raynham Park owner George Carney with his partners at Greenwood Racing/Parx.
The election is being held at Raynham Middle School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Birmingham gave his firm’s conclusions about the impact of the slot casino on Route 138 traffic, water and sewer service and other resources.
Paul Dooley asked about how the road would be widened on Route 138, and questioned how it could be done without infringing on wetlands in the area. Dooley also asked if there were going to be additional lanes created, but Hesketh said it would remain one lane in each direction.
Birmingham said the road would only be widened in front of the building, and explained how a new traffic light would be installed to accommodate guests going in and out of Raynham Park.
Birmingham said that the traffic and the demand on water and the peak levels of traffic “will be significantly less” at Raynham Park if the 1,250-machine slot parlor is created, than when the dog track was in its heyday.
However, North Raynham Water District Commissioner Michael Lalli spoke out, saying he believes the current water capacity for the town would not meet the water needs at Raynham Park. Lalli said the town would have to have a “sizable redevelopment” to meet the slot casino’s water needs.
Birmingham said that from his firm’s research, water infrastructure improvements would not be needed for phase one of the Raynham Park slot casino project, but that potential future phases including a hotel may need redevelopment. Birmingham also said that in the community host agreement, Raynham Park agreed to pay for any improvements that are needed as a result of the slot casino plans.
Birmingham talked about the benefits of the community host agreement, which is highlighted by an annual $1.1 million mitigation payment from Raynham Park to the town. Birmingham reminded residents that the state’s gaming legislation would result in 40 percent of the facility’s revenue going back to the state, and that there would also be local property taxes amounting to at least $2.5 million per year just based on the state mandated minimum investment of $125 million. Birmingham said that the community would also benefit from other taxes on the gaming destination, including a room tax on a 200-bed hotel that is in the long-term plans for Raynham Park.
During the public forum on Tuesday, several people wondered out loud about what would happen if the Raynham slot casino fails, and how it would affect on the local economy.
At that point, George Carney stood up from his seat in the back of the room and told residents that, in terms of employment, he would look out for former workers at the dog track, who were laid off when greyhound racing was banned through a statewide vote in 2008. Then, Carney said, he would try to make the hiring of unemployed Raynham residents a priority.
“People in the town know what to expect from George Carney,” said Carney, speaking about his dedication to the town, its residents, the police department and the fire department.
Carney pledged, “to run a good operation,” that will help rejuvenate the local economy. “Or else I wouldn’t be investing my money and reputation,” Carney said.
Carney also assured residents that he doesn’t want traffic to be a problem.
Carney announced that Raynham Park would be hosting two public forums on Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, July 24, each at 7 p.m. at the Raynham Park clubhouse at 1958 Broadway.
“We’d love to listen to you,” Carney said.
Last week, Raynham Park launched a website, www.parxraynham.com, that features several artist renderings of the proposed slot casino.
Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x606639727/Consultant-say-Raynham-slot-plan-wont-add-lanes-to-Route-138#ixzz2YjlI0zCP
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