Massachusetts: Hypocrisy is Thy Middle Name

Fall River City Councilor Leo Pelletier indicted on illegal gambling charges
Pelletier: "I didn't do anything wrong"
Herald News Staff Reports


BOSTON — Fall River City Councilor Leo Pelletier, the owner of two Internet cafés, and his corporation were indicted Thursday on charges of operating an illegal slot parlor.

Three other individuals have also been indicted on gaming charges in connection with operations out of “Leo’s Place” Internet cafés in Fall River and Fairhaven, according to Attorney General Martha Coakley.

“These cyber cafés are really cyber scams with no posted odds, minimum odds, or guarantee of payouts for consumers,” Coakley said. “We allege that the defendants attempted to skirt the laws by operating nothing more than an illegal, unregulated slot parlor with no protections for consumers.” [And state regulated Slot Barns will be something different?]

Pelletier, 66, was indicted by a Special Statewide Grand Jury on charges of organizing or promoting gambling services, operating an illegal lottery, allowing lotteries in a building, and the sale and advertising of lottery tickets. Pelletier allegedly operated two “Leo’s Place” Internet cafés through his corporation New England Internet Cafés, LLC (NEIC). The corporation faces these same charges.

"We're going to have to deal with it," Pelletier said. "I have lawyers. They feel they (the attorney general's office) are absolutely wrong. Whether ot nor it's 12 days before an election, it doesn't matter to me. I didn't do anything wrong." [Curious timing! How long ago was this in the papers?]

Indictments were also returned against Ron Sevigny, 66, of Fall River; Linda Pelletier, 57, of Spring Hill, Florida; and Donald Greenidge, 52, of Shoreham, New York. All three are charged with one count each of organizing or promoting gambling services, and operating an illegal lottery. Linda Pelletier was also charged with the sale and advertising of lottery tickets.

Under Massachusetts law, it is illegal to run or promote a gambling operation. The current gambling law in this case points to the existence of an illegal “lottery.” The definition of a lottery includes a payment to play, a prize, and some element of chance.

In February, the Attorney General’s Office began an investigation into “Leo’s Place” locations in Fairhaven and Fall River. Evidence gathered during the course of the investigation demonstrates that patrons of these Internet cafés were paying nearly exclusively for the right to gamble. Authorities allege that patrons were not, as suggested by the operators, simply paying for Internet time and playing a free sweepstakes. Investigators also allege that, “no purchase required” opportunities were of no legal significance and gambling was the only clear purpose for these cafés. Both locations ceased operations in the wake of the AG’s investigation.

All four defendants are expected to be arraigned in Bristol County Superior Court at a future date. These charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Thursday’s actions by the Attorney General’s Office are a direct result of complaints regarding alleged unlawful gambling operations that have recently opened for business across the Commonwealth. While these businesses purport to sell goods or services, such as Internet access or phone cards, the Attorney General’s investigation found that those sales were a pretext for unlawful and unregulated lotteries, online slot parlors, sweepstakes, and similar gambling. The AG’s office issued permanent civil regulations in June under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act that bans the operation of so called “Internet Cafés” and other establishments across the Commonwealth. Those that violate the law may be subject to injunctions, civil penalties and other relief under the Consumer Protection Act.

In July, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and AG Coakley filed legislation that further enhances the criminal penalties for illegal gambling at “cyber cafés” throughout Massachusetts. The proposed legislation establishes a new crime for conducting or promoting an unauthorized sweepstakes that is executed through the use of the entertaining display of an electronic machine. The new crime would carry a penalty of up to $250,000 per offending machine and/or imprisonment of up to 15 years in the state prison.

The Attorney General’s investigations into various Internet cafés throughout the Commonwealth remains active and ongoing.

Fall River: Dumb or Corrupt?

While the Fall River Herald News continues to campaign for Mayor Flanagan, the Mayor pursues the Malaysian investors known as the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and has NOTHING.

There is no agreement.

That means even though the BIA has its hands tied by SCOTUS [via Carcieri v Salazar and Hawaii], should the Governor bow to ........ promises, such as 'state LIT' [which is what the Aquinnah have] the City won't even receive the equivalent of real estate taxes, never mind 'slots participation' which should be included in an Agreement.

The Mayor and anyone endorsing the bankruptcy of Fall River in this deal is either very dumb or corrupt.

The same can be said of Rep. Paul Schmid, D-Westport and State Rep. Patricia Haddad, D-Somerset who haven't figured this out yet. [There is no 'hybrid'!]

Dumber than dirt

When Glenn Marshall raised the specter of Middleboro's Mega Monster and promised to pave the streets with gold, create financial prosperity for all and many other things never committed to writing or enforcement, residents who asked questions were graveled to silence, deals made behind closed doors, and Glenn Marshall landed in federal prison.

Did I mention that the unions genuflected and grovelled at Glenn's promises even though there is no assurance of union hiring included in the IGA?

The flawed and inadequate IGA (InterGovernmental Agreement) the Town of Middleboro presented to town meeting voters, for most, was handed to them on the hot summer's day that they were to vote on it.

It was negotiated AFTER the poorly advertised land sale - kinda like negotiating the sales price of your house AFTER conveying the title, conducted by now retired Town Manager, Jack Healey.

Jack had been negotiating with Stephen Graham, Abramoff sidekick and Mashpee Wampanoag mouthpiece prior to the fateful 'auction' that cheated taxpayers out of a reasonable sales price at the height of the real estate bubble. Jack pretended he was 'saving the town the expense of an auctioneer' who would have widely advertised the auction and the Board of Selectmen blindly believed.

And then, there was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen at the time, Wayne Perkins who had convinced himself that 'towns with casinos don't pay property taxes.' (Mr. Perkins patted himself on the back in 'tough contract' negotiations for garnering pay raises of 36%, 3%, 3%, all while telling town residents he negotiated 3%, 3%, 3%.)

That might have convinced some that the Middleboro Board of Selectmen were without competition for the Darwin Awards.

Not so!

The Town of Mashpee sits smug, convinced of their wisdom of 'PROTECTION.'

The Town of Mashpee negotiated an 'Agreement" with the Tribe that, initially, the Town wouldn't oppose federal recognition if the Tribe agreed not to pursue the land claims that had tied up Cape land for years and, more importantly, that the Tribe wouldn't construct a gambling facility in Mashpee.

Once the Tribe gained recognition, the not-so-bright tribal leaders said "Pound Sand! We're Sovereign!" until a wiser person informed the Tribe they needed the Town of Mashpee to support or at least not oppose their land-into-trust application.

The Town of Mashpee again negotiated an "Agreement" with the Tribe duplicating the first "Agreement" that was approved by Town Meeting Voters.

Now the Town of Mashpee believes they have a valid, binding "Agreement" with a Tribe that has proven less than honorable....except the "Agreement" was never ratified by Congress!

Amelia Bingham's words were telling after her failed land challenge:

...she isn't likely to appeal the ruling. She said it's time for the tribe to assert its rights.

"We've opened the door part way. We have all the documents necessary," she said. "It's time for the so-called leaders of our tribe to take some action."

Once the land the Mashpee Wampanoags own in Mashpee is placed in 'trust,' it's time for the Town of Mashpee to once again 'pound sand' because they have no valid agreement with a "Sovereign Nation." (Incidentally, the land is Mashpee is the only land the Tribe owns.)

Watching this parade of not-very-bright, might lead you to believe it couldn't be 'bested.'

Not so!

Fall River has exceeded all expectations!

The City, lacking adequate funding because of many flawed decisions and some really poor management faces a major financial crunch that the juvenile Mayor Flanagan hasn't yet noticed.

The Mayor, more focused on photo ops and preening before cameras has frittered away limited funds in a quest to give away land to wealthy investors, repeating fanciful promises and hasn't noticed that there is NO AGREEMENT WITH THE TRIBE FOR FUNDING!

There is NO indication that any of the attorneys the City has retained have any expertise in IGRA, LIT, or Tribal Casinos.

To all of the wonderful people I have met since Malaysian Investors began foaming at the mouth for cheap land and tax free profits to ship overseas, I am truly sorry!

Until proven otherwise, Fall River's Mayor and the RDA have topped the Darwin list! Maybe some day this not very bright Mayor will even figure out that the City would get a Destination Resort Slot Barn and nothing more!

And maybe someday, the Fall River Herald News might actually raise pertinent factual issues.

Kudos to Appeals Court Judge Kafker and to Attorney Lesley Rich of Somerset!

Appeals Court judge upholds injunction against Fall River casino land deal

Fall River has many gifted, smart and dedicated individuals who would proudly serve the City and work in its best interests. There's always the next election and an opportunity to make better choices.

Fall River: Why gamble?

Fall River's casino vs. SouthCoast Biopark: Why throw out a sure thing to take a gamble?

By Robert A. Mellion, Esq.
Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.


The Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry understands and supports all efforts to create jobs in and around the city of Fall River. This is why business leaders throughout the community have repeatedly called for immediate development of the stalled 300-acre SouthCoast BioPark and University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth bioprocessing facility projects.

Closing the door on the life sciences commerce park project is definitely questionable at a time when Fall River needs an economic shot in the arm. Remember that the money to build a 21st-century commerce park was in hand since April 2009.

Look back at what was traded away and ask yourself if it was a good deal. Almost two years ago, state and city officials gathered at a corner of the Fall River Industrial Park to unveil millions of dollars in grants for the express purpose of establishing the 300-acre life sciences commerce park in Fall River. The event celebrated what so many thought was to be the linchpin and turning point in Fall River’s economic future.

“This project builds on our investment in the life sciences supercluster and creates long-term regional prosperity in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development Secretary Gregory Bialecki. Fall River Office of Economic Development Executive Vice President Kenneth Fiola Jr. and state Sen. Joan Menard both mirrored Secretary Bialecki’s sentiment. When talking about the life sciences park, Mr. Fiola confirmed that “Two buildings just went under agreement,” in the Industrial Park, “and there are only 20 developable acres in the park. That’s why there’s the need to develop a park like this.”

Years of discussion, research and investment ultimately produced a comprehensive economic development master plan for Fall River. The plan was based upon constructing a diversified economy which drew from our industrial heritage. The architects of the life sciences commerce park, which included FROED, demonstrated repeatedly that close to $4 billion in buildings would be constructed over time as part of the economic development project.

Financial assumptions for the project were purposely modeled conservatively. If only two of 10 products reached the market each year over a 10-year period, the bioprocessing facility alone could indirectly generate the potential of 8,000 new jobs to the area. The calculation did not take into effect that a life sciences company might choose to locate at the commerce park on its own.

Life sciences jobs include both white-collar and blue-collar manufacturing, distribution, production, marketing and administrative positions. Keep in mind that the Fall River Industrial Park, which produces many of these jobs today, employs more than 6,500 people. Also consider that more than 60 manufacturing companies including Exemplar Pharmaceuticals, RTS Life Science, Isis Medical and Coast to Coast Medical, Inc. have had no issue against locating next to a landfill.

The plan to develop the SouthCoast BioPark in Fall River had support from state and federal government, nonprofit, education and private partners. Even in a recession economy the future was looking bright for Fall River. Something significant changed not too long after the current city administration took office in January.

The decision to seek out an alternative economic vision, while systematically scorching the life out of the commerce park project, was a significant breach from the comprehensive economic development plan for Fall River. Without community input, or a referendum, the city administration unilaterally turned its back on a $21 million dollar economic partner, the University of Massachusetts. UMass – Dartmouth was slated to be the first tenant of the life sciences park by producing the long sought after bioprocessing facility.

In May, the Chamber of Commerce believed it had a duty to the community it serves to ask a simple question. Why are we discarding a state supported shovel ready economic development and job creating project for the remote possibility of capturing a casino license? Seven more months have passed.

Robert A. Mellion, Esq. is the President & CEO of the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

Are you listening Fall River?

James A. Traficant Jr., former congressman and a convicted felon, seeks in on the lucrative Tribal Casinos, by whatever means, whereby taxpayers subsidize the free ride offered by IGRA.

Unlike the Fall River Herald News that ignores the complex fiscal mismanagement of the City in favor of Mayoral photo ops, this paper has done its homework.

The comment below is what it's all about. COSTS


When will Beacon Hill and elected officials conduct their due diligence?



For instance, since Indian tribes do not pay taxes, how will the county and the township cover the government costs that will inevitably result from the development of the casino complex?



Local officials shouldn’t rush to embrace scheme for casino

Use of the word scheme in the headline — instead of proposal — with regard to a casino being touted by James A. Traficant Jr., former area congressman and a convicted felon, reflects our belief that the idea is nothing more than a house of cards. It won’t come to fruition because it’s based on a faulty premise: That an Indian tribe not indigenous to Ohio will somehow secure permission from the state and federal governments to build the gambling establishment in Mahoning County.

Given that, county commissioners Anthony Traficanti and John McNally and the trustees in Jackson Township are absolutely right in not succumbing to pressure from Traficant to quickly approve his scheme. The notion that the transfer of ownership of 20-plus acres of land in North Jackson to two Indian nations for $1 somehow proves commitment and credibility is vintage Traficant.

His bullying tactics show that his seven years and one month in the federal penitentiary failed to teach him humility. He came out of prison just as he went in, an arrogant, egotistical individual who was not swayed by his conviction by a federal jury of 10 criminal charges, including racketeering, bribery and tax evasion. In a nutshell, he used his public position as congressman from the 17th District for personal gain.

Now, he wants the area to embrace his half-baked scheme for a casino, hotel, convention center and a bank, and is demanding support from elected officials. Traficant has formed Traficant Co. LLC, with his wife, Patricia, as the business agent, and claims to have facilitated the land transfer from Athena D. Bialik and John A. Papadopoulos to Winston Mason, a trustee of Itana (Indigenous Tribal Affiliates of Native America) of Utah and Munsee Delaware Indian Nation in Cambridge, Ohio. That’s window dressing, nothing to be taken seriously.

It would be an entirely different proposition had Traficant first found a legally solid solution to what remains a major impediment to Indian casinos in Ohio


As Ted Hart, a spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray, noted, only federally-recognized tribes can apply for a federal gaming license, and there are no federally recognized tribes in Ohio.

Traficant is pushing the idea that if the county commissioners and the Jackson Township trustees pass resolutions in support of his scheme, he and his associates, the Itana and the Munsee, would be able to use that support to petition the federal government for tribal recognition.

Slew of issues

But as commissioners Traficanti and McNally — their colleague David Ludt, who will be leaving office in December, is backing Traficant’s idea — and the Jackson Township trustees correctly pointed out, there are a slew of other issues that need to be addressed.

For instance, since Indian tribes do not pay taxes, how will the county and the township cover the government costs that will inevitably result from the development of the casino complex?

Traficant, who is on Tuesday’s ballot as an independent candidate for 17th District congressman, is not going to steam roller responsible elected officials.

His scheme lacks credibility — just as he does.

Fall River Shortchanges Residents

Beacon Hill politicians misstated the threat of a Tribal Casino, ignoring 2 SCOTUS decisions to suit their purposes and cram through flawed 'casino' legislation, while Fall River officials have betrayed the residents and taxpayers of a beautiful City that possesses great potential.

Fall River City Officials have danced around a land sale, ignoring legal opinion from the IG, failing to ensure additional revenues to protect citizens against the increased costs and impacts of predatory gambling.

The land sale hands wealthy investors prime commercial land for $100,000 per acre.

Instead, the Mayor chose to reward wealthy Malaysian investors with a tax free, low cost venture for a profitable Slot Barn deal.

On the right side of the Fall River Herald News article, you will find the injunction issued by Judge Richard T. Moses, the Ten Taxpayers Complaint, the RDA response and the Purchase & Sales Memo.

They are worth reading both for what they contain and what the DON'T contain.


Nowhere is there consideration of monies Fall River will receive from the Tribe, in lieu of taxes. This is a business deal for the City's future, not a charity.

At the very least, the City should reasonably expect a percentage of slots participation, worth at least $20-$30 million per year to cover additional costs.

Can we blame the failure of leaders, including the Mayor, to conduct public discussions that consider the increased costs to the City solely on ignorance?

When the City is bankrupt by increased public safety costs caused solely by this "Something for Nothing Scheme," residents will bear the burden.


Can we blame the Fall River Herald News for its failure to ask the right questions?

Foxwoods has defaulted.

Mohegan Sun laid off 350 employees, "redeployed" 120, reduced their workforce by 900, closed restaurants, froze upper management salaries.

Twin Rivers is in bankruptcy.

Casinos around the country are filing bankruptcy. Tribal Casinos have simply stopped making payments.

How is this sensible economic development for Fall River?
Who is protecting Fall River residents while wealthy foreign investors are rewarded?

This could be your town.

Fall River Herald News: All Fluff and No Substance

One might want to believe that the purpose of a newspaper is to enlighten, inform, educate and present both sides of an issue.

It's impossible to determine if the one-sided version consistently presented by the Fall River Herald News is caused by threats, promises of future revenue, or corporate ownership dictating propaganda.

Instead, as usual the Fall River Herald succeeds is appearing like the Casino Cheerleader and offers a flawed 'poll' that fails to even include an opportunity for readers to indicate their opposition.

Has the Fall River Herald News ever raised the matter of the failure to consider the impacts and costs, which will be steep?

Bangor experienced a 40% increase in crime. What will that cost Fall River?


From the New Hamspire GSC Report [page 17]:

Substitution effect

Some jobs and other economic activity created by the expansion of legalized gaming will come at the expense of non-gaming businesses, including local restaurants and other entertainment venues. This substitution effect (also known as cannibalization) will be especially pronounced if the gaming operation attracts customers mainly from within the state. If a facility is close to the state border, the substitution effect will lessen. At the same time, the substitution effect means that one section of the state may benefit economically at the expense of another.

The substitution effect can also apply to out-of-state visitors if they spend money at casinos that they would otherwise spend on other entertainment or tourism activity in the state.

What will cannibalization cost Fall River?

Or what of the other major issues raised by Spectrum Gaming Group in the CT DOSR Report? Excerpts here.

That report and many others may be found on the United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts web site. Maybe someone could point that out to the Fall River Herald News.

The FRHN continues to repeat the wildly exaggerated job figures provided by the Tribe, among other things.

For $500 million, poor Fall River will get a Slot Barn, increased crime and little else.

Has the FRHN even raised the issue of the lack of an "Agreement" ? Where's the 'slots participation' and other revenue that should be included?

If the annual cost estimates are in excess of $20 million, where does that come from?

All I see is Fluff and No Substance. Does information stop at the Fall River border?

Poll below:

The Redevelopment Authority’s
recently amended land sale to
an Indian tribe to bring a
casino resort and bio-manufacturing
center to Fall River prompted a
lawsuit by 10 citizens. What's
your take?

The RA and Mayor Will Flanagan are on
the right track to creating
jobs and
improving the economy.

The RA and Flanagan are dreaming.
This will never happen.

It’s too early to tell.


The RA
and Mayor Will Flanagan are on the
right track to creating jobs and
improving the economy. 39%

The RA and Flanagan are dreaming. This will
never happen. 41%

It’s too early to tell. 19%
Total votes: 141

NO CARCIERI FIX! Hear me?

The Fall River Herald News, again failing to conduct any reasonable or minimal due diligence, quoted Willie, Mayor of Fall River [article at the bottom] making totally untrue comments about Congressman Barney Frank supporting a Tribal Casino, writing a letter in support of a Tribal Casino, or promoting a Mashpee Wampanoag Casino in Fall River.

Willie, NO! is NO!

As you might know, if you are even vaguely informed, Middleboro was the first recent community to be targeted by the Gambling Vultures who seek great profits protected by the SOVEREIGNTY of Tribal Gaming which exempts them from local, state and federal regulations and laws designed to protect citizens and they don't have to pay their fair share of taxes to support the commununity [Check out the Spectrum Gaming Report prepared for the CT DOSR found here: United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts or excerpts here: Spectrum. That should give you a fair idea of why Tribal Casinos are unwanted.]. Some local residents spoke with Congressman Frank and their comments are below:


Congressman Frank has stated many times that he will not support the Wampanoags bid for trust land in MA. His staff person is xxxxxx. My mother has her e-maill address. You can email her directly and she will tell you that as well. xxxxx had requested information from my friend in 2009, shortly after our visit with her when we were at the CERA conference in DC. Since the issue was brought to his attention,

the Congressman has consistently stated that he is against this.

The Mayor of Fall River is barking up the wrong tree if he thinks to gain support from Barney Frank.

From another friend:


Two summer's ago a friend and I went to the Lakeville Library due to Barney Frank speaking to his constituents and there would be a Q & A after his short speech, also there would be a one on one short meeting w/him before he left.

While the small group gathered around him, he gave his talk then asked if there were any questions from group. He called on my friend, she asked if there would ever be a Carceri Fix, he stated only six words,

"NO, there will not be a fix"


My friend & I were amazed how he stated this, it was a strong non-politician answer, he didn't leave himself any (wiggle) room to be able to back track if it ended up there was one.



We didn't stop there, I told my friend let's stand in line & wait our turn to speak to him and make sure he really is that definite on his answer. Our turn came, we asked same question, again, we wanted to make sure as we were in Mashpee Wamponoag's territory, he looked us both in the eye and again just about shouted at us,

"there will not be a fix, like I said before, there won't be a fix!!"

Enough said, enough times.

Casino, unemployment on agenda for meeting between Sen. Kerry,
Mayor Flanagan

By Michael Holtzman
Herald News Staff Reporter

FALL RIVER — While Sen. John Kerry had
been here this year during the tragic circumstances when city soldiers died in
two separate combat instances, he will be here for a far different reason next
week.

Kerry arranged his first meeting with Mayor Will Flanagan
Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the mayor’s sixth-floor office at Government Center.

“I met him at the funerals for the soldiers, but I’ve not met him as
mayor and senator,” Flanagan said, saying he looked forward to it.

He
said Kerry’s local relations representative, Janet Lebel, called Thursday to
arrange the informal get-together.

While Kerry did not suggest an
agenda, Flanagan said it was an opportunity for him.

“My goal is to make
a pitch about the high unemployment,” Flanagan said. He planed to ask Kerry to
support his request that the U.S. Department of the Interior act favorably to a
land trust application by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe for casino gambling in
Fall River.

He said U.S. Reps. Barney Frank and James McGovern are
writing supportive letters and he hoped Kerry would also.

As a footnote, I am left to wonder why the Fall River Herald News continues to repeat Mayor Flanagan's false comments. Would it be too much to ask or expect that you would at the very least, call the Congressman's office?

A very kind person prepared a summary of the Spectrum Gaming Report that is partially posted. You will notice that the report lists the JOBS - the ACTUAL SALARIES of current employees, here:

CT: Spectrum Gaming Report #11 Low Wage Jobs

Of Mohegan Sun:

(55%) of which pay at or below $26,124)

Of Foxwoods:

(81%) of which pay at or below
$28,930; 4037 (36%) of which pay at or below
$20,536)

Please bear in mind that the Spectrum Report was prepared before this:
Payments To "Foxwood's" Tribal Members To End

Waiting for Earl ....

Preparations have been made, not very involved, just simple removal of potential missiles outdoors - mostly the summer's clutter and boredom sets in, along with the necessity of answering emails and reducing the content in event of several days' power loss.

Each time certain noteworthy labels are included, my goodness! The Bobble Heads go bonkers!

So it seemed appropriate to note a Fall River blog: chowmeinsammich.

Chow Mein has crafted insightful and amusing entries about the pathetic conduct of shortsighted and corrupt politicians that are worthy of note.

Assistance has been offered to Fall River to provide the information and costs and impacts a SLOT BARN would bring to this beautiful community, but alas! Only the echoes within the Mayor's head seem heard.

Many of those reports and articles may be found here, if one looks:
United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts

Fall River Herald News: Shirks Responsibility!

A Fall River Herald News article [below] is so filled with fantasies, fairy tales, untruths and a few outright lies, that this is pretty offensive journalism regardless of how you frame it.

Those of us who have been involved with educating voters about the failure of Beacon Hill to conduct an INDEPENDENT COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS and explain that costs and impacts outweigh the phony revenue promises are fully aware of the one-sided media.

Frankly, most elected officials actually voting on this issue seem un-educable or blinded by promises of campaign contributions, chairmenships, bigger staffs, larger offices, or maybe some cushy no-show SLOT BARN jobs in the future atop a taxpayer funded pension. [In fairness, we have some pretty stellar officials to be proud of, who know the issue, have done their research and spoken out, but their voices are drowned out by the Bobble Heads.]

One might make a few guesses about whether it's threats, promises or fantasies of advertising revenues to a dying industry, but the coverage has been conspicuously one-sided and factually inaccurate.

The Fall River Herald News fails to print letters to the editor that indicate a growing opposition.

The Fall River Herald News might create the impression that there is no opposition, when facts prove there is growing opposition nationwide. Who wants a SLOT BARN in their neighborhood?

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x336131318/Mayor-urges-Interior-Dept-to-take-proposed-casino-land-into-Indian-trust

Mayor urges
Interior Dept. to take proposed casino land into Indian trust
By Michael Holtzman
Herald News Staff Reporter
Posted Aug 29, 2010 @
09:40 PM
Last update Aug 30, 2010 @ 12:24 AM
FALL RIVER —
Mayor Will
Flanagan is stepping up efforts to support the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s
application for federal land sovereignty for the 300-acre tract the city agreed
to sell the tribe if the state legalized gambling this year.

He’s calling the Mashpee’s proposed destination casino the city’s “No. 1
development priority” and one that warrants taking bold steps.

“This is not a bridge to nowhere or a folly. This is a $500 million project,”
Flanagan said.

Now Willie [If I may call you that. Feel free to call me MR], for $500 million, you just get a SLOT BARN, not some euphemistically labeled facility.

Flanagan is taking this tact while the City Council has called for reviewing
the use of the undeveloped 300 acres in the northern sector off a new Route 24
interchange after the Legislature and Gov. Deval Patrick failed to agree upon
legalized gambling during its 2010 session that ended a month ago.

With legalization not appearing imminent, Flanagan formalized the alternative route he’s backing for what he says is the best chance to add thousands of jobs and boost the local economy.

“I ask that you expeditiously and favorably review the tribe’s land in trust application,” Flanagan wrote U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Willie,

As an American, you can certainly send a letter to Ken [please put in a good word for me because I've written to Ken about his policies of allowing DIRTY ENERGY and BIG CORPORATIONS to trash our environment and haven't heard from him.].

You may have heard about that little SCOTUS decision, Carcieri v Salazar. Theodore Olson argued that before SCOTUS and the Massachusetts Attorney General joined. That's pretty confusing because you have to read detailed stuff, but the Hawaii decision? That's a hum-dinger!

Now Senator Rosenberg wants to pretend it's a simple 'difference of opinion,' but Willie, you have to understand, this one is simple.

In the 9-0 decision on Hawaii
v. the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Justice
Alito wrote, "It would
raise grave constitutional concerns"
Congress
sought to "cloud Hawaii's
title to its sovereign lands" after
it had
joined the Union.
"We have emphasized that Congress
cannot, after
statehood reserve or
convey....lands that have already been
bestowed
upon a state".

Willie, I won't fog your brain by suggesting you might want to also read the Trade & Intercourse Acts [there were 2 and No! It's not that kind of intercourse!], although if counsel is unfamiliar with those, the adequacy of counsel might be re-considered. One even includes a list of Tribes! [Hint: Mashpee Wampanoags are not included.]

One might be inclined to say a "Snow ball's chance in hell!"

He noted the Mashpee tribe amended its 2007 land trust application to
include Fall River. The tribe did that in mid-July.

There is no desire to hurt your feelings, Willie, but you simply can't 'amend' an application. Them's the rules!

It is unclear what the Tribe may or may not have 'filed,' but it has not yet been posted in the federal register - which would officially record 'acceptance' [not approval, but acknowledgement that they have received an application].

FOIA requests have been submitted and a response is anticipated - we'll be sure to let you know or you might want to submit a request yourself. You can even do it on-line.

You need to know, Willie, that after Jack Abramoff, there were certain pesky little amendments made to prevent 'CASINO SHOPPING," which this is. [Remember that this pre-dated Carcieri and Hawaii.] There is a requirement that the INITIAL RESERVATION can't be anymore than 30 miles from any 'secondary' site. Middleboro would not have qualified for that reason, so how far are you?

And I almost forgot, Willie. There's another pesky little detail. Even though the Tribe doesn't qualify because of all the above information, they have no historical ties to Middleboro. You can't just pretend and make up fanciful stories or change your web site. They tell me this kind of stuff needs some serious documentation.

“Development of that land that the tribe is seeking to have placed in trust
will provide the good jobs that are so desperately needed in this area. In
addition, revenue that will be provided to the city through an intergovernmental
agreement will allow us to fund the public safety, education and infrastructure
projects that are so important to the health of this city and the surrounding
region,” reads the letter Flanagan wrote Aug. 17 and shared last week.

Willie, this is just to silly to comment on! You really don't believe that. Do you?

The issue eliciting the most questioning has been Flanagan’s continued
prioritization of the 300-acre site for gambling instead of as a biotechnology
and life sciences park with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth building
an anchor test facility with state-approved funding.

Willie, I'm not going to get into what you think you're doing except to point out that along with SLOT BARNS, you get increased crime. Fortune 500 companies take crime into consideration when making substantial investments. [check the right side of this blog and click on one of those categories for information]

Instead of using that state forest land sold to the RDA for industry — after
compromises with environmental groups — the administration has negotiated with
the university for an alternative bio-park site.

UMass officials said they plan in early September to decide on a location
between the Flanagan administration’s alternative Riverfront Business Park in
Freetown and a second SouthCoast proposal at the New Bedford Business Park in
that city.

Each plan provides 4 acres and a $3 million loan for the
anchor facility, with another 50 acres for biomanufacturing expansion.
FROED
would purchase and take title to the nearby Freetown acreage, Flanagan said.

According to RDA Chairman William Kenney, his authority received a legal
recommendation that it cannot buy land outside the city, such as the adjacent
Freetown acreage.

“Once UMass makes their announcement to locate in Greater Fall River,” Flanagan
said, “it may prompt the RDA to amend their vote, which would allow for the
infusion of $6 million to purchase the land in Freetown.”

That 325-acre
undeveloped property is owned by controversial Rhode Island land developer
Churchill & Banks, headed by Richard Baccari.

The RDA voted 3-2 on July 22 to sell the 300 acres of the former biopark to the
Mashpees for $21 million pending legalization of gambling in Massachusetts this
year and other conditions.

In order for FROED to purchase the acreage in
the Freetown park, Flanagan said, “We would seek $6 million from a separate
entity, more than likely the Mashpee Wampanoags. The $6 million is very critical
to complete this transaction,” he said.

“Lurking in the background is
what’s UMass going to do?” said Kenney, who has been contacted by concerned city
councilors after voting against the RDA sale in July.

“If they say, ‘We’d like to go to New Bedford,’ what does the mayor do then?

He says they’re both going to happen,” Kenney said of Flanagan’s
continued pronouncement the Mashpees will build a casino in Fall River and the
university will build in Freetown through a multiparty transaction.

Flanagan and FROED’s director, Kenneth Fiola Jr., said the city would not lose
significant tax revenue by shifting the biopark to Freetown because the
university does not pay taxes and the level of companies agreeing to locate to
such a park would require longterm tax breaks.

Also, Fall River would supply the water and sewer to the riverfront park, they
said.

While the City Council has requested that Kenney, Fiola and the
Flanagan administration update the status of the casino and land sale to the
tribe at its next meeting Sept. 14, councilors recently considered issuing a
resolution to change courses.

“It may be time to reshuffle again,” said
council Vice President Linda Pereira. She called on Flanagan, whom she’s often
at odds with, “to put all the cards on the table.”

This lady sounds like the only elected official with a brain. If anyone is at odds with you, Willie, she sounds like she's done her homework.

The resolution proposed by Councilor Eric Poulin was signed onto by four
councilors but never filed. It “encouraged the Fall River Redevelopment
Authority to convene a meeting as soon as possible and that they consider
voting to offer the 300 acres (off Route 24) back to UMass before the university
reaches its final decision.”

“My fear is to lose both,” Poulin said. Councilors Brad Kilby, Leo Pelletier and
Pereira agreed, but Poulin fell short obtaining the unanimous council support he
sought.

Poulin said when Flanagan in May announced the tentative casino
agreement with the tribe, it was with the prospect the state would legalize
gambling by the end of July.

That put the prior plan of developing a
prestigious and state-backed biopark on the back burner.

The objective, Poulin said, was to find needed short-term casino jobs with city
unemployment in the mid-teens, and the longer-term jobs coming from
biotechnology. “Now we could be chasing after a casino for three years or more,”
Poulin said.

He said Flanagan has not identified how casino construction
could start quickly. “I have some questions and concerns about developing the
site with sovereign nation status.”

Senator Rosenberg has publicly stated that it would take the Commonwealth 18-19 months to get that BLOATED REGULATORY BUREAUCRACY in place before the first license might be issued. [That's the BLOATED BUREAUCRACY that will be filled with political hacks and relatives to replace the Probation Dept. jobs.]

Hint: If you have "questions and concerns" about a sovereign nation, how about doing your homework?

That’s what prompted Kenney to vote against the RDA sale. It’s yet to be
signed because the state has not legalized casino gaming.

Flanagan,
through talks with tribal leaders and the Department of Interior, said final
documents to designate the RDA-owned park as sovereign land could take “a few months.”

Phew, Willie! You're really hallucinating with this one!
In the 'good old days,' [pre-Carcieri and Hawaii] it took 5-7 years to gain approval.

And then there's NIGC [National Indian Gaming Commission] that would have to approve the management agreement to avoid this and would take 5-7 years as well. [BTW, you might consider submitting a FOIA request to them as well.]

But according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs web site, there are more than
1,900 land trust applications, of which “over 95 percent are for non-gaming
purposes.”

Salazar said this summer he’s prioritized restoring tribal
lands for non-gaming applications, such as to provide housing, health care and
education to improve tribal members’ self-sufficiency.

“He’s put a lot
of eggs into this basket,” Poulin said of Flanagan’s secondary option for the
tribe to build a casino.

“That’s a heck of risk the mayor took,” Pereira said. “I don’t buy that the
pay-off is what he says it’s going to be.”

From materials Flanagan circulates from the Mashpees, he estimates the phased
project would include: 1,000 to 1,200 construction jobs building the casino and
first hotel and 3,500 to 5,000 permanent jobs; they’d pay $30,000 to $45,000
with tips; and would spur 5,000 to 6,000 “indirect jobs,” he said.

Willie, frankly, you blew it on this one!

Check out jobs or Wow! 15,000 Jobs? NOT! for starters. If you're still confused, send an email. There's more, I'm just getting tired of explaining away your delusions. [Psst! You won't get all those other promises and I can prove it.]

With funding by the Malaysian group that financed Foxwoods, the project would
include two more hotels, a golf course, spa and retail/entertainment complex,
the tribe stated.

Poulin said timing was a prime reason he did not file the council resolution. He
said he tried unsuccessfully to have a special meeting before their regular
session on Sept. 14. “At that point UMass would probably have made a decision,”
he said.

Councilor Michael Lund, however, is among council members that believe the
Flanagan administration should be given more time to bring a casino.

“I think Flanagan is looking at the casino as a way to bridge the gap for jobs for
people in the 30-50-year-old age group who could be retrained. And I think
there’s merit to that,” Lund said.

He said by the Legislature apparently not passing gaming this year, “We’re not
under the gun. Let’s take our time and get this right … I think Flanagan is
trying to do the right thing, and I think we have a unique opportunity.”

Lund said he also believes the city needs to be careful if the RDA
property goes into sovereign land trust with the tribe. “What happens if the
casino doesn’t come and the Indians own it and there’s no reverter clause (back
to city ownership)?” he asked.

Flanagan said the tribe’s financial backers would invest to build a casino.
Also, having the park in land trust would not lift the prohibition against using
it for a landfill, Flanagan said. “It would never happen,” he said, stating the
city and state would sue the tribe for such a use that would be tied up for years.

So, Willie, you seem to be saying it's perfectly OK to leave of legacy of expensive lawsuits [in federal court because they're 'Sovereign']because you're too lazy to conduct your due diligence?

Let me share: Indians. This struck me: It All Sounds Familiar
Our land is pockmarked with disasters and toxic waste dumps on "Reservations."

“If I believed this project had no life in it, I would never
pursue it,” Flanagan said. He’s convinced Massachusetts soon will legalize
gambling. “There’s been too much of an investment for this not to occur.”

Willie, dear, you might say the same of Middleboro!

Now, Willie, I know I've given you a lot of bedtime reading, but it might be kinda nice if you'd mosey on over to the United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
web site that's got some pretty comprehensive information on it. The Spectrum Gaming Report prepared for the CT DOSR is there and bunches of reports about the impacts and costs of SLOT BARNS you might want to consider.

I know I haven't corrected ALL of your misunderstandings, but that's a good beginning. When you've finished with that, please send an email and I'll send you some more.

There are a few good books worth reading as well.

Fall River: Filled with Casino KoolAid Drinkers

When Montville, CT negotiated their Agreement with Mohegan Sun, in their great wisdom, they used Town Counsel on the cheap, failed to include an escalation clause or participation in slots revenues. The Town gets a fixed $500,000 per year forever, less than they would have received from real estate taxes and certainly far less than the impacts!

This scenario is repeating itself in the stupidity of some inept folks in Fall River who have rushed a deal cloaked in secrecy, refusing to admit their lack of expertise.

Instead of having the sense to appoint a Study Committee that could/might consider the far-ranging impacts of a Slot Parlor in their midst that would reveal to them the impacts are multi-millions of dollars, this bunch is instead proceeding, failing to consider the costs.

Note to Fall River: You might find the reports that examined the impacts and are posted here - United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts of value.

Sorry Fall River! You're about to get screwed by incompetence!

Redevelopment Authority aims to finalize casino land sale

By Michael Holtzman
Herald News Staff Reporter

FALL RIVER — Nearly two months after reaching a tentative agreement to sell 300 acres next to Route 24 to the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe for an envisioned casino resort, the Redevelopment Authority will meet today with hopes of finalizing the deal.

Is that the one that hasn't been made public? The terms of which haven't been discussed in public?

The meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Office of Economic Development on the sixth floor of Government Center.

Redevelopment Authority Chairman William Kenney said their lawyers finalized contract details of the $21 million conditional sale on Friday. Kenney said he and member Ronald Rheaume went over the contract “line by line” for 1½ hours earlier this week with Jeffrey Ray, one of the two Providence lawyers hired as consultants.

And they've negotiated how many Indian Casino contracts? They've negotiated how many casino contracts?

“The big question, as far as I’m concerned, is sovereign immunity, and what rights does the tribe have when they take title?” Kenney, a city lawyer, said.

A city lawyer negotiating a Tribal Casino contract? Duh?

He’s particularly concerned about whether as a sovereign nation the Mashpee Wampanoags would be exempt from federal, state and local laws, particularly as it pertained to environmental and labor laws, he said.

If they were exempt, “it would be like dealing with a foreign country,” Kenney said.

No kidding, Sherlock! Why don't you recommend that they retain an attorney who specialies in Indian Gaming Law? This is the price of stupidity:

Tribe Renegs on $50 Million Bond

He said Ray and attorney William Devereaux, working on the agreement, said the tribe would need to follow those laws under the contract language.

Among provisions the Redevelopment Authority added when it tentatively approved the deal on May 26 was that all environmental laws be followed and city voters approve the land tract for a casino.



“It was stated in terms I didn’t find explicit enough,” Kenney said of the document that’s taken far more than the week or two he predicted it would in May. He said Wednesday he was awaiting further clarification from their lawyers with gaming and land expertise.

On the Redevelopment Authority signing a contract that has not been made public, he said, “A decision may be made Thursday, or the board may need further clarification.”
The Redevelopment Authority’s initial vote was 4-1 with member Ann Keane opposing the agreement because it removed the park from its planned use as a bio-manufacturing park.

The state committed $17 million in funding, the bulk of it for the University of Massachusetts to build a bio-processing facility for pilot projects in life sciences.

That plan has remained in limbo since Mayor Will Flanagan presented an agreement in principal with the Mashpee Wampanoags in early May. Various community leaders and politicians strongly criticized the long-planned use for a bio-park.

At this time, the critical component of legalizing casino gambling in Massachusetts remains in limbo. The key sticking point is whether to allow racetrack slot machines.
Finding a compromise bill remains before a six-member House and Senate conference committee.

A version of the bill approved by the House in April would license two resort-style casinos and allow 750 slots at each of the state’s racetracks.

A Senate bill approved in June would license three casinos, one in each of three geographic regions of the state, but maintain the state’s existing ban on racetrack slots.

One hurdle Fall River did scale was legislative approval to revoke prohibiting use of the 300 acres for casino gambling. That restriction was part of an agreement the city reached with the state on a more far-reaching land sale and transfer.

Kenney said basic premises of the May 26 agreement remained in place. They included that the city receive $100,000 when the pact was signed and another $100,000 in two parts this summer.

Most of the money, $20.8 million, would be paid at closing. There would be either a year or an 18-month window to complete the deal.

“It was our goal for it not to be open-ended forever, but to give the mayor and tribe a reasonable opportunity to see if it can work out,” Kenney said.

Kenney said it would be his aim for discussion at today’s meeting to remain in open session. Kenney stated the same thing two months ago when the RDA, with legal advice, met in executive session to discuss the contract.

The RDA set a cap of $10,000 for outside legal services to Ray and Devereaux. “I don’t believe we’re close to that yet,” Kenney said.


Is this the dumbest thing you've ever heard?

Fall River

The Fall River process reeks of similarities with the Middleboro process -- rushed amidst secrecy, failing to allow adequate consideration, filled with false promises, a local paper that sees ad revenue and fails to fulfill its responsibilities.

Add to that mix short-sighted elected officials too blinded by Casino Glitter to conduct their due diligence or even employ counsel specializing in IGRA and you have a recipe for disaster.

If you think casinos are the solution, take a look at Atlantic City.

The comment below was posted as a comment, but deserves highlighting.

I would not gamble with our city's economy.

Who said this during his campaign??

..........the mayor of fall river!!


http://speakupfallriver.blogspot.com/2010/06/bio-park-to-green-park-to-water-park-in.html


From Bio Park to Green Park to Water Park in less than a year


This week last year a bio park was under construction on a 300-acre site in the city's north end. The acres were properly zoned to accommodate biotech manufacturing, medical device manufacturing, life sciences, and similarly related businesses. Several companies/organization were preparing to move into the Bio Park, plans were made, off ramps were built, and loans were awarded in anticipation of the developing Bio Park.

Fall River was told that the Bio Park was going to save them (prior to the Green Park and Casino saving them).

This week last year, an inexperienced Mayoral candidate named Will Flanagan began campaigning on a promise to bring a Green Park to Fall River instead of a Bio Park. You can read all about Flanagan's promises for a Green Park on his website here.....well you could if his promises hadn't mysteriously turned into 3 pages of blank document...which is pretty much as substantive as anything else he said during his campaign.

Luckily, the Herald News isn't into erasing campaign promises and still has this article on Flanagan's Green Park. Here is my favorite part:


“I am very concerned that the Correia administration is taking a risky gamble on biotechnology, as mayor of this city I would not gamble with our city’s economy. Green jobs are secure for today’s economy and as well as tomorrow’s economy. I will work with our various governmental agencies, our business community, and our unions to ensure that this Green Industrial Park will become reality,” Flanagan said.

(Gambling on the mind much??) Flanagan sounded so committed to a Green Park but, not surprisingly, I haven't heard a thing about it since he used it to get into office. This is probably because he broke his promise for a Green Park and is expeditiously pursuing bringing a casino (with a water park) to Fall River.


I am not necessarily opposed to the idea of any of the aforementioned projects, however, I am opposed to rushed, poorly thought out projects (casino) and false promises made to get into office. The fact that, a mere several months ago, Flanagan was absolutely confident that the Green Park was going to be the answer to Fall River's economic problems, indicates to me that the Casino plan is rushed and not well thought out, like many of his campaign promises

Fall River Herald News: No Free Pass!

In response to the comment posted that speculated the Casino Shills protested my FACTUAL comments, I am a firm believer that vermin exposed to the light scatter and run for the darkness they seek.

Image:Pest Control Smyrna

To the poster --
Your speculation is certainly a possibility, however, the FRHN Censor Gremlin has a responsibility to review posts prior to deletion.

My posts may be rather dull and boring simply because I stick to the FACTS of Slot Parlors around the country, but nothing posted constituted a violation of policy.

There are several significant issues regarding this matter.

If you want to maintain a discussion forum that permits opinions to be posted and you have a public policy, you need to adhere to that policy, that regrettably includes posts that you might not agree with.

Those of us who endure the Middleboro Follies, would point out similarities in the Casino Playbook --

1. Grab the DEAL before they run away!

If this is such a GREAT deal, we can discuss it and study it.

Can't we? Why the rush? Is it simply to prevent you from asking questions?

2. The DEAL is shrouded in secrecy.

If your DEAL is so great, can't it withstand scrutiny?

Any great business deal for Fall River can withstand TRANSPARENCY and public discussion. Can't it?

.

You're smart folks who know the difference between low wage dead end jobs Slot Parlors offer and a Bio-Tech Park that requires and encourages higher education, provides jobs to aspire to, encourages schools to provide excellence, draws well-educated people into your beautiful community, and doesn't bring crime with it.

3. The Tribe, ANY Tribe CANNOT get LIT (Land into Trust) because of TWO - not one but TWO SCOTUS decisions (Carcieri v Salazar and the Hawaii decision).

Senator Joan "Airhead" Menard seems incapable of reading some pretty clear SCOTUS decisions - my condolences for inept elected officials!

4. We have a newspaper industry in 'flux' - trying to figure out how to compete, cutting costs, cutting staff and doing a shoddy job of presenting real journalism in most cases.

5. As others pointed out at the meeting, how can the City sell property without competitive bids? Is that its value?

6. Let's suggest that the City of Fall River accepts this slip shod agreement that hasn't been made public, is there a deadline?

Middleboro signed a deal 3 years ago that had no expiration date.

Is the City of Fall River willing to sign an Agreement to sell land with no expiration date?

What if the wealthy Malaysian Investors don't employ the vast numbers of people promised? Are they willing to invest those wages for the City to employ people elsewhere?

What if they promise 1,000 construction jobs and only provide 300?

If their estimates are accurate, shouldn't they fund 700 jobs elsewhere?

What if they promise 1825 permanent jobs and only deliver 780 as Sheldon Adelson did - shouldn't they escrow funds to create those jobs?

Check out Sheldon Adelson - why the poor old man is simply drooling to construct Glorified Slot Parlors that cover the state - anywhere and everywhere - but fell woefully short.

And while we're at it - promises of UNION JOBS ????

Where are the assurances that these jobs will be UNION ???

Slot Parlors are notoriously ANTI - UNION.

Glenn Marshall ran all over Middleboro promising all kinds of things -- Streets paved with gold, Manna falling from Heaven, "I'll buy your property..." "You can have any job you want..." "I'll pay for any business loss because of the casino ..." "These will be union jobs..."

It's not in writing.

It's not in the Agreement.

Glenn Marshall is a guest in a federal prison because he paid for Tribal Recognition with political contributions a la Jack Abramoff.

There are additional issues that require public discussion - for instance, most slot parlor jobs are less than full time. Are Massachusetts taxpayers supposed to pick up the cost of healthcare for the wealthy investors?

Where are the provisions that give Massachusetts residents priority for employment?

Where are the provisions that give Massachusetts labor unions preference in construction?

Where are the provisions that slot parlor jobs will be union? (They won't.)

Each of you can add your personal preferences to the list and start asking questions.

The media and the Fall River Herald News need to begin to fulfill their responsibility and they need to ask those questions as well.

The press gets No Free Pass.

Fall River Herald News: Boo! Hiss!

Note: On my way to a meeting in Fall River, I got lost as I generally do and was reminded of what an impressive city is to our south. That their misguided Mayor would seek to destroy it with a Malaysian Slot Parlor is baffling.

There are subtle things within the Casino Playbook that go unnoticed, but the pathetic silencing of Casino Opposition is consistent.

In Fall River, a meeting was held last evening by a newly formed group called Citizens for the Common Good that opposes the proposed Malaysian Casino. (Some may recall that since SCOTUS decisions [see Hawaii] prevent the Mashpee Wampanoags from pursuing the Middleboro Folly, the Malaysian investors will use the Tribe to threaten Fall River, with the support of Senator Joan "Airhead" Menard.)

A common complaint was that the local rag that no one ever heard of, the Fall River Herald News doesn't print letters to the editor from the opposition.

Exercising their own form of tyranny, they also deleted my comments in their forum.

Boo! Hiss!

Given the choice between high paying bio-tech jobs that provide a future and benefits and low wage dead end casino jobs that offer a Something for Nothing Scheme, Fall River folks are pretty savvy.

Now the Fall River Herald News just needs to figure this out.

Note to Editor: Get a life! There are Grassroots organizations forming around the state and around the country to oppose this Something for Nothing Scheme. Voters recognize the folly of this proposal. Now you and the legislators whose egos are being stroked by well paid lobbyists need to wake up.

The comments below were posted on Blue Mass Group --

No one ever heard of the Fall River Herald News until
they were suddenly the focus of another Casino Feeding Frenzy.

Ill-equipped with the information and facts, they opined here:

http://www.heraldnews.com/opinions/our_view/x227913534/OUR-VIEW-Rolling-the-dice

When I posted my comments, they were removed.

I don't generally save my comments, but for some reasons, saved these and simply re-posted.

At one point, the Gremlin even blocked my login.

This has remained --


What I find curious is that the Fall River Herald News Gremlin seems to delete my comments that don't violate their rules or policy.

My comments merely point out factual information that prove Glorified Slot Parlors by the euphemistic labels the Industry employs, such as "Destination Resort Casinos" are not what Casino Cheerleaders claim.

Slot machines are not economic engines or job creators. They mere;y [sic] enrich the already wealthy.

Slot gambling is extremely profitable which is why they can afford to employ lobbyists and monopolize the discussion.

There is no indication that Fall River has employed a Gaming Attorney familiar with the Industry to negotiate this agreement. The terms of the Agreement have not been released.

The Fall River Herald News is failing its readers and its responsibility to provide insight into the issues surrounding the proposal.

Slot parlors increase crime within a 50 mile radius.

An examination of Atlantic City indicates that poverty is higher now than pre-casinos.

Simply because "Everyone Else Is Doing It" is no reason the Commonwealth has to copy their mistakes.

Few are familiar with the Fall River Herald News, but their 5 minutes of fame is almost gone.

Their tactics are comparable to the Middleboro process in which the local weekly newspaper lost emailed 'letters to the editor' written by opponents, but magically received letters from proponents.

The Brockton Enterprise followed a similar editorial policy and opposition was silenced.

The Middleboro Board of Selectmen should bronze the gavel used to silence opponents because of its historical significance in the rise of tyranny.

If you had such a wonderful product that promised Fools Gold would fall from the heavens to solve your fiscal problems, why would you silence the opposition unless you had something to hide?