Foxborough continues to set the tone.
GAMBLING benefits only out-of-state investors.
Thank you, Foxboro selectmen!
"FOXBORO - Selectmen have joined the grassroots effort to kick casinos and racinos out of Massachusetts before the gambling houses ever open."
Posted: Thursday, December 5, 2013
BY FRANK MORTIMER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
FOXBORO - Selectmen have joined the grassroots effort to kick casinos and racinos out of Massachusetts before the gambling houses ever open.Four of five selectmen polled Wednesday said they signed the statewide petition that seeks to give voters a chance in November to boot the casino law.
And a fifth member, John Gray, said he agrees with the anti-casino petition drive and will sign it if more signatures are needed.
"I don't think there's a long-term economic benefit to casinos, and I think there is a long-term detrimental effect to society," Gray said.
The Repeal the Casino Deal campaign announced this week that the Secretary of State's office confirmed receiving more that the 68,911 certified signatures needed for the repeal referendum to proceed toward the 2014 ballot.
The drive still needs to clear the Supreme Judicial Court.
"I want voters to have a chance to vote on it, but my personal preference is to see it leave," selectmen Chairman Mark Sullivan said of the 2011 law, passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Deval Patrick, allowing three casinos and one racino in Massachusetts.
"Gone is better," said Selectman James DeVellis, who signed the anti-casino petition, as did members Ginny Coppola and Lorraine Brue.
Last week, selectmen agreed to notify State Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, and State Sen. James Timilty of the board's viewpoint.
A spokesman for the Secretary of State's Office said that if the Legislature, after receiving the petitions, refuses to repeal the casino law, the Repeal the Casino Deal campaign can gather another 11,485 signatures and put the repeal question before the voters next year, with or without the Legislature's blessing.
Brian Ashmankas, campaign director for Repeal The Casino Deal and a Millbury selectman, said casino or racino proposals have already failed in about 20 towns and cities, while six town and cities have endorsed gambling proposals.
Foxboro was among the first to say no. Two years ago this month, the board of selectmen voted 3 to 2 not to host a casino in Foxboro.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/foxboro-board-repeal-casino-deal/article_d449c84f-d254-54e1-9861-a32a328479db.html
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