The Road to Hell

The carnage on these roads was ignored until the Taunton/Genting proposal.

How many millions will it cost Massachusetts taxpayers to subsidize wealthy
Malaysian casino investors?

Drivers refuse to slow down on Route 24

Holiday weekend nets 10 drunken drivers on Route 24, Interstate 195

By Justin Graeber

Enterprise Staff Writer

Posted Sep 05, 2012

BROCKTON —

The state police have been stepping up weekend patrols on Route 24, but drunk drivers and speeders don’t seem to be getting the message.

In the sixth week of the “patrol surge” on Route 24 and Interstate 195, state troopers said they made 10 arrests for drunk driving, 14 arrests for other charges, issued six criminal citations and 263 non-criminal citations.

One of the arrestees, Aengus Dlouhy, 44, of Dartmouth was charged with his sixth drunk driving offense. Dlouhy was arrested on Interstate 195 on Friday night. Two of the drunk driving arrests happened on Route 24.

This raises the total of drunk driving arrests to 55 since the surge began in early August. Of the 55 arrests, other than Dlouhy’s, 44 were for first offense, seven were for second offense, two were for third offense and one was for fourth offense.

Speed was also a factor in many of the citations. This weekend, three operators stopped for speeding were clocked at speeds of 104, 107, and 110 mph.

The surge deploys 11 additional patrols on Route 24 and Interstate 195 from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday and again from 8 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday.

In addition to the drunk drivers, the six-week totals for the increased patrols include:
56 other arrests,

42 criminal summons issued,

1,640 citations written for various motor vehicle violations.

The extra patrols will run through September.

Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/answerbook/brockton/x326766484/Holiday-weekend-nets-10-drunk-drivers-on-Route-24#ixzz25bNC9kju

DEADLY BY DESIGN: Tight curves, short ramps, high speeds make Route 24 a dangerous highway to drive

By Erik Potter

The Enterprise

Posted May 30, 2010

From 2006 to 2008, nearly 2,400 people crashed their cars, trucks and motorcycles on the 25-mile stretch of Route 24 that runs between Randolph and Berkley.
Eight of those people died.

Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/cops_and_courts/x1015942137/DEADLY-BY-DESIGN-Tight-curves-short-ramps-high-speeds-make-Route-24-a-dangerous-highway-to-drive#ixzz25bPGEUsN

6 More Drunks!

We're all appreciative of the sudden interest and heightened patrols of regional roads, but doesn't this tell you something???

Massachusetts lacks adequate funds to properly patrol its highways on a regular basis.

And a proposed Genting/Mashpee Wampanoag Gambling complex in Taunton that provides FREE ALCOHOL, allows DRUNKS to depart the premises intoxicated will exacerbate the problem.

And Massachusetts is considering extended "HAPPY HOURS" to bars and restaurants??

Route 24 patrols continue to net drunk drivers

By Justin Graeber

Enterprise Staff Writer

Posted Aug 21, 2012

BROCKTON —

Six more drunk drivers were caught on Route 24 as a result of stepped-up weekend patrols by the state police.

For the past four weekends, state police have increased patrols and enforcement on Route 24 in the wake of several fatal accidents in a short time span.

Thus far this year, troopers have made 33 drunk driving arrests, 32 non-OUI arrests, and issued 24 criminal summons. Troopers have written a total of 1,094 motor vehicle citations during the four weekends of the surge, according to the state police.

This weekend, in addition to the drunk driving arrests, troopers made 12 other arrests and issued five criminal summons. Additionally, troopers wrote 338 citations for motor vehicle violations.

Last week’s patrols netted more drunk drivers (10) but less citations (262).

Additionally, the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section stopped 16 speeding trucks on Route 24 last week and conducted 23 commercial vehicle inspections. The truck team took two trucks out of service, one for faulty brakes and another because the driver had a suspended license.

Truck team troopers wrote 38 citations to truckers.

The additional patrols, which complement regular patrols from the Middleborough and Dartmouth Barracks, will continue through the end of September.

Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x1055169683/Route-24-patrols-continue-to-net-drunk-drivers#ixzz24HNS7Yvx



Four hospitalized after crash on Route 24 in Raynham

By Justin Graeber

Enterprise Staff Writer

Posted Aug 22, 2012

RAYNHAM —

Four people were sent to the hospital, one by medical helicopter, after a crash on Route 24 Tuesday night.

The crash occurred around 8:23 p.m. on the southbound side of the highway, south of exit 14, according to the state police.

Three cars were involved in a chain-reaction crash, and the accident happened in the left travel lane, police said.

Three people were taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton by ambulance, and a person in the third vehicle in the was flown to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. That
person's injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x186674522/Four-hospitalized-after-crash-on-Route-24-in-Raynham#ixzz24HTWef72

Gaming commissioner says communities have time to address casino concerns

July 19, 2012

By NICHOLAS WALECKA

Special Writer

LAKEVILLE — Representatives from seven surrounding towns met last week to voice their opinions on several issues surrounding the casino resort that is being proposed for a site in Taunton by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.

Officials from Bridgewater, Raynham, Middleboro, Lakeville, Freetown, Norton and Berkley met at the Lakeville Senior Center with State Gaming Commissioner Stephen Crosby last Thursdayt afternoon.

The meeting was arranged by state Rep. Keiko Orrall (R-Lakeville) on behalf of community officials who have expressed concern about the lack of local involvement in determining whether a tribal casino will be permitted in Southeastern Massachusetts.

"I think the intent is for this to be an open and transparent process," Rep. Orrall said. "At this point, it hasn't been."

Issues raised by the towns ranged from concerns about where the water supply for the casino would come from, to other issues like wear and tear on local roads and bridges, as well the effects it could have on surrounding wildlife.

While State Gaming Commissioner Stephen Crosby did not have many answers to the numerous issues raised by the towns, he did offer assurance that each issue would be taken into consideration.

"You have asked a bunch of questions that I do not have answers for, (but) I've taken notes," he said.

"We will try our best to get answers for you.

"You're stronger in a group than you are individually. Taken together, you have a lot of muscle," said Mr. Crosby. "It's a great sign that you're willing to take the time."

Mr. Crosby was adamant about the whole process being a slow one, and urged the town representatives not to panic, but rather to be patient.

"This is going to take a long time," he said. "There is time to strategize. You will be able to weigh in every step (of the process). You've got time and there will be resources available."

One of the major issues discussed was the allocation of funds that would potentially be redistributed to local communities.

According to the compact the tribe recently signed with Gov. Deval Patrick, 21.5 percent of gross gaming revenue from the casino, or an estimated $21 million per year, would go to the

Commonwealth, with an estimated $7 million to be distributed to the towns surrounding the casino.

This money would be used to deal with issues stemming from the potential casino, including issues with the water and sewer systems, schools, traffic and infrastructure.

Mr. Crosby said an environmental impact study will be conducted at some point, and the results of this will also help determine where the money will be distributed.

Mr. Crosby said the compact "defines the surrounding community."

"We will be able to determine at our discretion who has access of these money," said Crosby. "We are pushing very hard to provide the resources so that you all have been treated fairly.

The Mashpee tribe still has a number of challenges to overcome, including the need to have the federal government take the Taunton land into trust for the tribe. That process was stymied in 2009 by a Supreme Court decision that prohibits the Department of the Interior from taking land into trust, or creating sovereign tribal land, for tribes that were not recognized by the federal government by 1934.

The Mashpee tribe has also been challenged by Middleboro officials who contend the tribe never resolved its issues with the town after changing its mind about building a casino resort on land off Precinct Street.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120719/PUB04/207190417

Residents' concerns spur meeting with casino panel

By By GEORGE BRENNAN

gbrennan@capecodonline.com

June 27, 2012

 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has agreed to meet with officials from Lakeville, Berkley and Middleboro about a proposed Mashpee Wampanoag casino in Taunton.

During the meeting Tuesday, broadcast by live stream on the commission's website, Chairman Stephen Crosby said state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, had requested the meeting because of her constituents' concerns.

Compact negotiations with the Wampanoag tribe are being handled by Gov. Deval Patrick's office, however, and there is little input provided for the commission in the state law that authorizes three casinos and a single slot parlor in Massachusetts.

"I'm not sure that we can give any substantive answers to questions that are likely to arise," commissioner James McHugh said. "On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to talk to people as long as they understand we don't have the power at the moment."

Crosby said he will call Orrall and explain the situation and make sure expectations are clear.

"If they are and it will still be constructive to talk, then we'd be happy to do that," he said.

Orrall, who also represents part of Taunton, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Meanwhile, consultants for the commission have recommended paying an executive director close to $180,000 per year. The consultants provided a report on what executive directors earn in four other states with legalized casinos, ranging from $134,000 in New Jersey to $180,000 paid by Pennsylvania.

Consultant Robert Carroll of Michael & Carroll recommended paying near the higher end of the scale because of the responsibility given to the state commission.

Pennsylvania has 11 gambling facilities, which range from so-called racinos — slots at race tracks — to full-scale casinos.

Crosby requested more background information from the consultants to justify the salary. Crosby earns $150,000 as the commission's chairman and the other four commissioners are paid $112,500 per year.

Meanwhile, the commission is interviewing four firms that want to conduct the search for a full-time executive director. Commissioner Enrique Zuniga, who is overseeing the procurement process, said he hopes to recommend a firm to the commission at its meeting Monday.

That meeting is a day earlier than the commission's typical weekly meetings because of the Fourth of July holiday. The commission voted unanimously to allow Crosby, who will be away next week, to participate in the meeting by telephone.

McHugh will serve as chairman for that meeting.

In other business, the commission also discussed the possibility of hiring an ombudsman to help both developers and town governments through the process with the commission, as well as with other state regulatory agencies. Though Crosby talked about hiring a consultant for the position, other commissioners appeared to be leaning toward hiring a commission employee but not before a job description is in place for the role.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120627/NEWS/206270336/-1/NEWS