It's always sad when a small community, like Plainville ignores the evidence.
Posted: Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Plainville gambling vote stakes high
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
The Sun Chronicle
PLAINVILLE - The stakes in today's referendum election could hardly be higher, so both sides of the gambling issue were campaigning hard to get out the vote that will determine whether Plainville will allow slot machines at Plainridge Racecourse.
Signs were scattered throughout town urging both yes and no votes on whether to approve the Route 1 harness track as a site for 1,250 slot machines.
Opponents, who say slot machines prey on the vulnerable, went door-to-door handing out leaflets to make their case.
Supporters, who tout the financial benefits of slots, held signs at intersections and took out advertisements in The Sun Chronicle to inform voters.
Both sides agreed that the vote will be one of the most important in town history.
The pro-slot machine supporters said they were confident of Tuesday's vote, but wanted to score an overwhelming victory to send a message to the state Gaming Commission that Plainville is the best place for the only slots license the panel will hand out.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
Town Clerk Ellen Robertson said she was unsure how large the turnout will be.
She said the number of absentee ballots she has received is about normal for the town election. It is unknown whether recent confusion over the process will effect the vote.
The possibility of slot machines coming to Plainville seemed all but dead a few weeks ago when the Gaming Commission ruled the owners of Plainridge were unsuitable for a gambling license.
The commission made the decision after investigators found that former track President Gary Piontkowski had taken more than $1 million in cash from Plainridge over a number of years.
But just last week, Penn National Gaming, a large track and casino firm, obtained an option to buy the track and its 89 acres if it wins the slots license.
Then Friday, the commission cleared the way for the referendum by approving the transfer of a host community agreement from Plainridge to Penn National.
The agreement requires the slot parlor to pay more than $4 million a year in taxes and fees to the town. A consultant has estimated the town would have to spend $1.1 million a year providing additional police and fire services because of the slots.
Now, it is up to voters to decide the issue. If the town votes yes, Penn National will file a formal application with the commission by Oct. 4. If it votes no, Penn National will not buy the track.
Opponents calling themselves 'No Plainville Racino' held an anti-gambling forum Sunday, but have spent little money on their campaign.
Records at Town Hall show they have spent $583.33, with the money coming from two donors.
Mary-Ann Greanier donated $333.33 and Jennifer Keen chipped in $250. They have spent the money on a Facebook page, renting the senior center for the forum and for lawn signs.
The latest filing deadline for campaign finances ended eight days before the election, and supporters reported receiving and spending no money during that time.
However, the group called 'People for Plainville,' have since bought signs and taken out the newspaper ads, so they will have to report recipients and expenditures after the election.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/plainville-gambling-vote-stakes-high/article_59caf0b1-9e36-5a30-9f15-105ab46e25c9.html
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