In 1927, our legislators passed an act that would change the Swift River Valley forever. By 1946, the towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott were distant memories. The way of life for the thousands of citizens of those communities was ripped out from under them when the Quabbin Reservoir was built. Businesses closed and families were torn apart as members were forced to move away from their ancestral homes.
Our leaders in Boston are again looking to western Massachusetts to solve the state’s problems.
In 2011, our legislators passed a bill that will change the Pioneer Valley forever. Only instead of our towns being encased in water, we will be flooded with cars, crime, and broken promises.
Look at a map of Massachusetts and you see a large void in the middle of the state where once there was a sleepy hamlet. If casinos are allowed in, fast-forward seven years, which is the amount of time it took to flood the valley and what will you see, a large void where Palmer used to be. Businesses will have closed; homes will be foreclosed on, families that lived here for generations will have moved on. Palmer will be unrecognizable.
As has played out in cities and towns across the country which have invited casinos into their midst ,there is an increase in crime, a drain on the school systems, an increased need for social services to combat domestic abuse, alcoholism and gambling addictions and a decrease in property values*.
As I listen to our town officials discuss the host agreement, I have to ask, where is my agreement? As a homeowner and taxpayer, where is my guarantee that my home value is going to remain solid? Where is my guarantee that my car and home insurance won’t increase with the rise in accidents and crime in the area? Where is my guarantee that my taxes will decrease? Where is my guarantee that I’ll be able to move freely through town? Where is my guarantee that I will feel safe in my community? Where is my guarantee that our children will not be negatively impacted?
Our town officials can’t guarantee those things for us, yet they feel comfortable supporting Mohegan Sun’s proposal with their promises.
Residents who are on the fence about the vote continually mention the $16 million the town is to receive as incentive to vote yes. Whether it’s $8 million, $16 million, or $26 million. How do you put a price on quality of life?
The residents of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott did not have a say in their future. Their fight was barely a whisper.
The citizens of Palmer do have a voice.
Vote NO on November 5th
Don’t be dazzled by the bells and whistles the casino is flashing in front of us.
The City Manager of Central City, one of the cities with legalized gambling was quoted as saying: "I'd tell anyone who was thinking of opening their community to casino gambling to have his head examined."16
For our neighbors in Monson, Warren, Brimfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Belchertown, and Ware please visit the Massachusetts Gaming Commission site to voice your concerns:
http://massgaming.com/
Join Repeal the Dean and project our state. http://
*sources: srpedd.org;Casino Impact on the Town of Ledyard 2001, Seneca Niagara Casino
Fiscal & Economic Impact On Niagara Falls, NY, June 2005
Gambling in California, by Roger Dunston; Economic Impacts of Gambling, library.ca.gov
Our leaders in Boston are again looking to western Massachusetts to solve the state’s problems.
In 2011, our legislators passed a bill that will change the Pioneer Valley forever. Only instead of our towns being encased in water, we will be flooded with cars, crime, and broken promises.
Look at a map of Massachusetts and you see a large void in the middle of the state where once there was a sleepy hamlet. If casinos are allowed in, fast-forward seven years, which is the amount of time it took to flood the valley and what will you see, a large void where Palmer used to be. Businesses will have closed; homes will be foreclosed on, families that lived here for generations will have moved on. Palmer will be unrecognizable.
As has played out in cities and towns across the country which have invited casinos into their midst ,there is an increase in crime, a drain on the school systems, an increased need for social services to combat domestic abuse, alcoholism and gambling addictions and a decrease in property values*.
As I listen to our town officials discuss the host agreement, I have to ask, where is my agreement? As a homeowner and taxpayer, where is my guarantee that my home value is going to remain solid? Where is my guarantee that my car and home insurance won’t increase with the rise in accidents and crime in the area? Where is my guarantee that my taxes will decrease? Where is my guarantee that I’ll be able to move freely through town? Where is my guarantee that I will feel safe in my community? Where is my guarantee that our children will not be negatively impacted?
Our town officials can’t guarantee those things for us, yet they feel comfortable supporting Mohegan Sun’s proposal with their promises.
Residents who are on the fence about the vote continually mention the $16 million the town is to receive as incentive to vote yes. Whether it’s $8 million, $16 million, or $26 million. How do you put a price on quality of life?
The residents of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott did not have a say in their future. Their fight was barely a whisper.
The citizens of Palmer do have a voice.
Vote NO on November 5th
Don’t be dazzled by the bells and whistles the casino is flashing in front of us.
The City Manager of Central City, one of the cities with legalized gambling was quoted as saying: "I'd tell anyone who was thinking of opening their community to casino gambling to have his head examined."16
For our neighbors in Monson, Warren, Brimfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Belchertown, and Ware please visit the Massachusetts Gaming Commission site to voice your concerns:
http://massgaming.com/
Join Repeal the Dean and project our state. http://
*sources: srpedd.org;Casino Impact on the Town of Ledyard 2001, Seneca Niagara Casino
Fiscal & Economic Impact On Niagara Falls, NY, June 2005
Gambling in California, by Roger Dunston; Economic Impacts of Gambling, library.ca.gov
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