Fall River's hand is weak on Foxwoods casino proposal

Letter: Fall River's hand is weak on Foxwoods casino proposal    


Posted Feb. 1, 2014          

We need jobs in Fall River, but a casino is no silver bullet.

I do not buy that this type of business will increase crime; we already have crime.

I do believe that casinos are breeding grounds for organized crime, generally speaking.

Additionally, after the construction is complete, the majority of employment that would remain is lower income: wait staff, cleaning crews, low-end security.

While the city would gain a higher-end taxpayer, there will be property tax collected and possibly a small revenue-sharing deal, but make no mistake:

Whatever profit is made will be shipped out of the area.

I am also concerned for the current restaurants in our city. Adding a casino could expose them to a new clientele base they would otherwise not have access to. It could also monopolize the market by offering extremely good dinning deals to lure customers in for an extended period of time, putting their competition out of business.

Take a stroll to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun and count the number of hospitality type businesses outside the casino property in a one-mile radius.

It really seems Mayor Will Flanagan loves to gamble with the city.

A casino in our community is a gamble, and our hand at this table is weak at best.

Given the right location, namely on the waterfront, a well planned all inclusive resort could be a draw to our city.

Something in the woods will be just that, something in the woods.

In any case, this is far from a "made" deal, with only one casino slated for southeastern Massachusetts.

Expect a showdown on Beacon Hill or at least a grudge match with Taunton.

Daniel Botelho

Fall River

 - See more at: http://www.heraldnews.com/article/20140201/OPINION/140209704/2011#sthash.1SAUpFYs.dpuf