Early in the process, Palmer appointed a Citizens Task Force to consider the costs of hosting Mohegan Sun's Mega-Monster.
When the Citizens determined conservatively that the ANNUAL cost would be $16 MILLION to $19 MILLION, not including the estimated $50 MILLION to bring water from the Quabbin, Paul Burns refused to make that information publicly available.
Supporting a project that had the potential of bankrupting a small community is one thing, but to deny reality is yet another.
Paul Burns, in his blind support failed to insist upon answers, such as access.
Sadly, blind support isn't leadership.
Paul Burns reflects on Palmer Town Council defeat
By Lori Stabile | Special to The Republican
on June 18, 2014
Paul Burns campaigns for Town Council in Palmer in this 2007 file photo.
PALMER - Paul E. Burns is taking his Town Council loss in stride, saying he is not "terribly disappointed" that he was ousted from the council last week.
"I served for seven years and was somewhat on the fence about running. Certainly you want to leave on your own terms, but this is a democracy and voters chose not to send me back and that's fine," Burns said recently.
"I thought I'd be a lot more upset if I lost, but now it's like the weight of the world is off my shoulders," he added. "It can be someone else's turn."
Burns lost his at-large position to newcomer Robert B. Lavoie, who received 715 votes to Burns' 431 in the June 10 election. Lavoie beat Burns in all four precincts for the three-year position.
"Voters certainly deserve to have people in place that represent their views. I wish Mr. Lavoie the best of luck the next three years and I'm going to enjoy having the summer off. I haven't seen my kids the way I should for seven years, but I certainly wanted my kids to understand the value of public service," Burns said.
Burns, 53, said he has no plans to run again. He said he enjoyed his time on the council, calling it "an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Palmer."
Burns thinks the same anti-casino sentiment that sank Mohegan Sun's plan for a resort casino off Route 32 last year contributed to his loss - that along with voters wanting a change. While Burns was at times critical of Mohegan Sun, he was an outspoken proponent of a casino coming to Palmer.
"I put the bull's-eye on my back . . . It certainly may have been an anti-casino campaign, but I'm not sure I blame it on any one of those things. Ultimately l did what I thought was right . . . I don't ever want to be one of those politicians who goes with the breeze," Burns said.
"I'm not blaming anybody for anything here, except for me. I was vocal and I did what I thought was right and if I lose based upon my stands on issues then so be it," Burns said.
When he first ran for council, he said there were concerns about the form of government. Burns said one of the things he is most proud of is being able to solidify this form of government, and praised Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard's leadership.
"It took a few years to work the kinks out," Burns said.
Town Council President Philip J. Hebert said that one has to respect that Burns gave seven years of his time to serve on the council.
Hebert said he could not begin to speculate if Burns' casino stance contributed to his loss. The casino vote was close, and Burns was defeated by a large margin, Hebert said.
Lavoie officially replaces Burns on July 1. Burns said he will miss being on the council.
"I think I made a difference . . . When I first got on who thought we'd have a casino debate, a new police station. We got school roofs. We accomplished a lot in seven years," Burns said.
Burns said he has no regrets, but he said he did spend a lot of money to lose in the end - $2,500 for signs and mailings to 1,100 homes.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/06/paul_burns_reflects_on_palmer.html
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