Have they heard from you?

Dear Friends and Neighbors, There was a powerful moment Wednesday at a Massachusetts Gaming Commission hearing on the proposed Suffolk Downs casino. As No Eastie Casino chairwoman Celeste Myers approached the microphone to testify, dozens of other East Boston residents stood behind her in solidarity, filling the middle aisle of the convention hall. (see the photo above) We were only a few, but we represented thousands of our neighbors who, on November 5, 2013, said NO to any casino at Suffolk Downs. It was such a striking moment because the commissioners were forced to look into the eyes of the residents whose votes they disrespected by allowing a Suffolk Downs casino proposal to proceed. Friends, they are hearing us, but they need to hear from many more of us -- not only in East Boston and Revere, but in surrounding communities as well. Here are three (maybe four) quick things you can do today to let the Commission know that there are thousands -- probably tens of thousands -- who oppose the arrival of a predatory casino to Suffolk Downs: 1. If you haven't already, will you please send a note to the Commission today expressing your opposition to a casino at Suffolk Downs, your belief that the matter was settled when East Boston voted no, and your belief that East Boston is rightfully a host community for any casino at Suffolk Downs? The best way to reach the Commission is through the contact form on their website. 2. Will you send your comments to your elected officials? In East Boston, this would be mayor@cityofboston.gov, salvatore.lamattina@ cityofboston.gov, carlo.basile@mahouse.gov, and anthony.petruccelli@masenate. gov. Thank them for agreeing that East Boston is still host to any casino at Suffolk Downs, but remind them that we expect them to uphold East Boston's clear "no" vote on Nov. 5. After all, they work for us. 3. Will you ask your friends in other surrounding communities -- including Lynn, Chelsea, Winthrop, Salem, Melrose, Cambridge, Everett, Swampscott, Lynnfield, Saugus and Nahant -- to do the same? Here is a template you can send them to use and modify. Make sure people insert their specific town throughout the letter. People can mention opposition to the Wynn Everett proposal too, if they want (in parentheses): Subject: [Melrose] Resident Opposed to Casino at Suffolk Downs Comments: To the Massachusetts Gaming Commission: I unfortunately did not know about the public hearing seeking surrounding community input on Tuesday, March 25, 2014. I am writing to submit my official comments. I speak with a silent majority of people in my community and other surrounding communities in saying I am strongly opposed to the development of a resort-style casino at Suffolk Downs (and in Everett). Unfortunately, we were not afforded the opportunity to vote on this proposal--a proposal which is overstating the benefits and for which there has been far too little discussion of the negative repercussions. If people in Melrose had had the opportunity to learn about this proposal, I am confident we would have strongly voted no. We are very concerned for several reasons: 1) We cannot trust Suffolk Downs or Mohegan Sun. The people of East Boston and Palmer voted, and the owners of Suffolk Downs and Mohegan Sun circumvented the law to have another (illegal) vote on a proposal for which both East Boston and Revere continue to be host communities. Mohegan Sun violated the confidentiality of Winthrop in negotiations with their town leaders. They negotiated a host community that gives them the right to renegotiate "at any time for any reason." Such an agreement is not worth the paper it is written on. For these and other reasons, we cannot trust the entities who have proposed to develop this casino. 2) This proposal will bring significantly increased traffic to the area. Proposed traffic mitigation is woefully inadequate--as demonstrated in independent letters from two former state transportation secretaries--and relies too heavily on agreements the city of Boston has yet to make. This will make our commutes more difficult and will deter people from visiting, shopping and dining in Melrose. 3) On a related note, this proposal will have a negative economic impact in Melrose. First, gambling addiction will double because we are within 15 miles of the proposed casino. This will destroy families and lead to increased foreclosures--hardly an economic development strategy. Second, this will take money away from our local businesses and redirect it into slot machines. Finally, research demonstrates there is no net job creation from casinos built in urban areas; this proposal will lead to job loss at local businesses. 4) There is woefully inadequate provision for the increased costs associated with addiction, crime, pollution and other social ills that will befall Melrose as a result of this proposal. Mohegan Sun and Suffolk Downs proactively reached out to employees and other guaranteed supporters, providing free transportation and dessert to encourage them to attend the hearing on March 25. This does not demonstrate stronger support for the casino, but rather demonstrates that with millions of dollars, corporations can bring a group of people to a hearing. I speak for many others in surrounding communities in letting you know that while we may not have been at the hearing in person, we strongly oppose the proposed casino at Suffolk Downs. It is wrong for Melrose and it is wrong for Massachusetts. 4. Finally, we need to forge and strengthen our alliance with like-minded groups in Greater Boston. Nonprofits, healthcare facilities, and community and advocacy groups be registering their opposition to the casinos not only with the Gaming Commission, but also with Mayor Walsh or their respective mayor. If you have ties to groups in or around Boston who may be able to aid our cause, send us an email. Thank you for your continued and tireless support of our efforts to keep our communities safe, thriving, and casino-free. We're making a difference, and we will not stop until our voices are heard and respected! Best Regards, The No Eastie Casino Team Para recibir este correo en espanol, por favor, mande su nombre y su direccion de correo electronico a noeastiecasino@gmail.com.