On May 5, the Supreme Judicial Court of the commonwealth heard arguments on whether a question to repeal the Casino Gambling Law should appear on the November ballot. The ruling will come down sometime before the first week of July. In addition to a favorable ruling by the court, one additional requirement must be fulfilled in order for the question to appear on the ballot. Proponents in favor of the question going on the ballot must collect and submit signatures of an additional 11,485 registered voters in the state. This signature drive began May 8 and will run until June 18. You will probably see citizens with these petitions stationed throughout the region during that time. Please give them your time for a signature. It behooves all of us in the commonwealth to put this question on the ballot. On Nov. 22, 2011, Gov. Deval Patrick signed the Expanded Gaming Act into law. As citizens, we had no vote in the matter. For such an important issue, one that will impact the future of the state and the framework under which our children and our grandchildren will live, citizens deserve the opportunity to make that decision. This signature-gathering activity is only to put the question on the ballot. No matter which side of the question you may fall, as citizens of the commonwealth, we should be allowed to make this decision ourselves -- in the voting booth. If you are interested in helping with the campaign, we welcome your support. The statewide organization for this initiative is Repeal the Casino Deal. Above all, please sign the petition to put this question on the ballot in November. ROBERT M. YOUNG Leominster
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