Raynham Park owner sues Gaming Commission to block Plainridge slots

 

After falling short in his application for the state's lone slots parlor license, Raynham Park owner George Carney has sued the state Gaming Commission in an effort to block Penn National Gaming from opening its planned gambling facility in Plainville.

Taunton Gazette photo | Mike GayGeorge Carney listens to testimony at a hearing in Raynham.


Gerry Tuoti
Wicked Local Newsbank Editor
Posted May. 12, 2014

RAYNHAM — After falling short in his application for the state’s lone slots parlor license, Raynham Park owner George Carney has sued the state Gaming Commission in an effort to block Penn National Gaming from opening its planned gambling facility in Plainville.

The lawsuit, which was filed late Friday, calls for the state’s Supreme Judicial Court to revoke the slots license the commission issued in February to Penn National. Carney claims that Ourway Realty, the disqualified former owner of Plainridge Racecourse, will continue to profit once the slots parlor opens in 2015.

Penn National said the lawsuit’s claims lack merit.

The Gaming Commission banned Ourway from seeking a license last summer after state investigators accused Plainridge president Gary Piontkowski of pocketing more than $1 million from the track’s cash room over a 10-year period.

Plainridge got back in the running after Springfield Gaming, a subsidiary of Penn National, struck a deal to buy the harness track from Ourway, then filed a new application. The commission awarded the slots license to Penn National in March on a 3-2 vote, with Raynham Park getting no votes.

Carney’s lawsuit, however, claims the license was issued “in violation” of state law and that the purchase agreement between Ourway and Springfield Gaming calls for the disqualified former track owner to receive a percentage of the gambling operation’s earning “in perpetuity.”

“Springfield Gaming’s failure to disclose Ourway’s interests, the nature of such interests and the names and addresses of all members of Ourway on its application rendered its application false and misleading…” the lawsuit states.

A Gaming Commission spokeswoman said Monday that the panel had not yet been served with the lawsuit and was unable to comment.

Springfield Gaming and Ourway are also listed as defendants.

“Their claims are legally and factually deficient,” Eric Schippers, Penn National’s senior vice president of public affairs, said in a statement. “The Gaming Commission did a thorough and transparent job evaluating the applications and acted appropriately. Given that the Carney proposal did not garner even a single vote, I'm not sure what they're ultimately trying to accomplish.”

Carney and his attorney, Matthew Kozol, did not return calls for comment.

Penn National, which operates casinos and slots parlors in several states, plans to open the $225 million Plainridge Park Casino by spring 2015. The facility is expected to feature 1,250 slot machines, restaurants and entertainment space integrated with the existing harness racing track.

When the Gaming Commission reviewed the applications and evaluation criteria during hearings in February, Raynham’s odds of landing the license grew longer as commissioners lauded the Penn National and Cordish Cos. proposals.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140512/NEWS/140519146/1994/NEWS

Mass. Gambling Panel Weighs Slot Barn License

Mass. Gambling Panel Weighs Slots Parlor License

By Bob SalsbergFebruary 26, 2014Updated Feb 26, 4:55 pm

BOSTON — The chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission gave a boost Wednesday to a proposal by Cordish Cos. for a slots parlor in Leominster, as the panel moved closer to awarding the state’s first license for expanded gambling.

Cordish is competing for the slots parlor license with Penn National Gaming, which hopes to add slot machines at the Plainridge harness racetrack in Plainville, and Raynham Park, a former dog racing track. The five-member commission has been using several categories to evaluate the applications.

The Leominster and Plainville proposals received the strongest grades over two days of discussions, with Raynham Park trailing the others in nearly every category.

Stephen Crosby, the panel’s chairman who led a general overview of the projects, gave Leominster a grade of “very good,” the highest in that category, saying Cordish’s proposal demonstrated creativity and the potential to be the strongest regional location for a slots parlor.

“Thus our analysis suggests that the strategic value of the Leominster location, filling a relatively unserved part of the state and creating a bulwark to a potential Southern New Hampshire facility, has the highest strategic competitive value,” Crosby wrote in his report.

Cordish was also praised by Crosby for reaching “outside the box” with its proposal to dedicate at least $1 million in annual gambling revenues to help startup medical device companies in the north-central Massachusetts region.

Penn National was rated sufficient in the general overview, with Crosby’s report saying the greatest strength of Plainville’s proposal was its promise to maintain horse racing, but that it otherwise offered “few really distinctive features.”

Raynham’s answers to many questions posed by evaluators were “minimally responsive,” the report said, and it received a grade of “sufficient to insufficient,” though the park’s longtime owner George Carney was praised for the strong support he has in the community.

Crosby stressed to reporters after his presentation that he had not yet made a final determination on which applicant he supports for the slots parlor license, adding that his report was only one of five submitted by members of the commission. Each commissioner has an equal say in awarding the license, and a unanimous vote is not required.

A report submitted Wednesday by Commissioner Gayle Cameron, who oversaw a review of mitigation efforts by each applicant, gave Penn National a grade of “very good,” while Cordish Cos., which proposes building a slots parlor in Leominster, and Raynham Park, a former dog track, were both given grades of “sufficient.”

The mitigation category includes community outreach and support, efforts to reduce traffic impacts, and plans to address problem gambling and help the state Lottery avoid a downturn in sales due to competition from casinos.

Cameron said Penn National had demonstrated “integrated responsible gaming practices” at gambling facilities it operates in other states.

Commissioner Bruce Stebbins, who oversaw an evaluation of economic development efforts by each of the applicants, rated both Plainville and Leominster as very good in the category, and Raynham Park sufficient. The category includes job creation, work with local businesses and tourism promotion.

After it awards the slots parlor license, the commission will then turn its attention to choosing destination resort casino operators in the eastern and western parts of the state, with decisions on those licenses expected by midyear.

On Tuesday, Revere voters approved a referendum that would allow for a resort casino proposed by Mohegan Sun on land owned by Suffolk Downs.

The vote sets the stage for Mohegan Sun to compete with Wynn Resorts, which has proposed a $1.6 billion facility along the Mystic River in Everett, for the eastern resort casino license.

MGM Resort, planning a casino in Springfield, is the only western Massachusetts applicant.

 http://www.wbur.org/2014/02/26/mass-gambling-panel-slots-parlor-license

 

Gambling commission rates three applicants for Massachusetts’ only slot license

By Mark Arsenault / Globe Staff / February 25, 2014

 

The first ratings are out for applicants hoping to open the first slot machine parlor in Massachusetts under the state’s expanded gambling law, and Cordish Companies and Penn National Gaming are leading out of the gate.

 

In the category of building and site design, Cordish’s Leominster project and Penn’s Plainville proposal were both rated “sufficient to very good.”

 

The Leominster proposal “excels with its approach to a balanced entertainment venue,” according to evaluations led by state gambling commissioner James McHugh. Cordish’s late 2014 completion date, however, may be too optimistic, according to the ratings released this morning by the gambling commission.

 

Penn’s plan presents a “visually attractive track and open space,” though the project could face delays over traffic plans that need federal approval.

 

The third applicant, Raynham Park, was rated “insufficient to sufficient” in the category, with complaints that the design is “essentially a large box” and the landscape plan “lacks detail.”

 

The state’s expanded gambling law, passed in 2011, has authorized three casinos and one slot parlor in the state. The gambling commission is expected to vote to award the slot parlor license by the end of this week, paving the way for a facility with as many as 1,250 machines.

 

Each of the five commissioners has been assigned a particular aspect of the proposals to study. They have been huddling with experts for months and are presenting their findings this week before they take their vote.

 

The three slots parlor proposals all received “sufficient” ratings across three subcategories of building and site design: security, progress toward permitting and plans for future use. The commission today posted on the Internet the documents detailing its findings, although some financial information has been redacted.

 

In a second category to be reviewed today — finance — Penn National earned the highest ranking in a review led by commissioner Enrique Zuniga.

 

Penn was ranked “very good/outstanding” in the category while Cordish earned a ranking of “very good” and Raynham Park was rated “sufficient/very good.”

 

In the category for amenities, the Cordish project clearly was the winner.

“Leominster rose above the others offering a well-defined performance venue, the best restaurant features, and providing the most robust floor plan details,” according to McHugh’s report.

 

Penn’s project clearly won the subcategory on “sustainable development.”

 

“The stormwater plan utilizes the track infield for full on-site retention and exceeds best practices,” the report states.

The license will cost $25 million; the developer must spend at least $125 million on the project. The slot parlor will pay a 49 percent state tax on gambling revenue. The only wild card: casino opponents are seeking a court ruling to put a repeal of the gambling law on the November ballot.

 

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/02/25/gaming-commission-rates-three-applicants-for-massachusetts-only-slot-license/H0rJ6rhb7ExZH9vbZQPEeL/story.html

 

 

Gam[bl]ing Commission to award Slot Barn License next week

It's time to REPEAL THE CASINO DEAL!

Slot parlor license to be awarded next week

 

By Steve DeCosta

sdecosta@s-t.com

February 22, 2014

 

The state's five gaming commissioners will have their noses to the grindstone next week, with a marathon series of meetings in advance of Friday's award of the state's lone slot parlor license.

 

The license will also be the first gaming license to be issued in Massachusetts.

 

In meetings on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the commissioners will report on the results of their comprehensive evaluation of three applicants, one each in Raynham, Plainville and Leominister.

 

Each commissioner has taken the lead on overseeing a group of advisers and industry experts to evaluate each gaming proposal in key categories: overview of project, finance, economic development, building and site design and mitigation.

 

 

 

"This is truly the culmination of an incredible amount of hard work put forth by the commissioners, commission staff and the dedicated members of the five evaluation teams," chairman Stephen Crosby said on the commission's blog.

 

Crosby said that as a result of a "highly competitive process, the commission has had the difficult and exciting task of evaluating absolute first-rate proposals."

 

He said the commission is "eager to take this final step in bringing to bear the thousands of jobs and revenue benefits that await the citizens of the Commonwealth."

 

The applicants are:

 

Raynham Park, a partnership between Greenwood Racing Inc. and George Carney, owner of the former greyhound race track, to develop and operate a $220 million slots facility on 125 acres near both Route 495 and Route 24 in Raynham.

 

Penn National of Wyomissing, Penn., which has partnered with Plainridge Racecourse for a $225 million slots parlor near Routes 495 and 1 that the developers said would save harness racing in Masschusetts.

 

 

 

Cordish Companies of Baltimore, which hopes to develop the $200 million Massachusetts Live! Casino off I-190 and Route 117 in Leominister.

 

Each meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. A live stream will be available on the MassGaming website and live meeting updates will be provided by the commission on Twitter, @MassGamingComm.

 

In addition, the Gaming Commission will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday to discuss surrounding community designations for Eastern Massachusetts and recent correspondence from the City of Boston relating to resort-casino applications in Everett and Revere.

 

The first resort casino licenses — in Greater Boston and Western Massachusetts — are scheduled to be awarded by May. A license for Southeastern Massachusetts will not be awarded until November.

 

 

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140222/NEWS/402220338/-1/news

 

 

Easton and Raynham Park struggling to reach a financial agreement on slots parlor

Easton and Raynham Park struggling to reach a financial agreement on slots parlor

By Jennifer Bray

Enterprise Staff Writer

Posted Jan 07, 2014

 

EASTON —

Easton, like other communities surrounding Raynham Park, is hoping to cash in on casino money.

But the clock is ticking as Easton and Raynham Park try to reach a deal.

Raynham Park is vying to be chosen as the state’s lone slots parlor. The proposed $227 million slots parlor at the former dog track sits just a 10th of a mile from Easton’s town line.

Fifty percent of the traffic generated from that gaming complex in Raynham would go through Easton, according to Raynham Park’s own traffic study.

The town of Easton has been negotiating with Raynham Park on terms of a potential surrounding community agreement. The agreement would entitle the town to money for dealing with issues stemming from the nearby slot parlor, such as more traffic. If a decision is not reached, both sides will go to arbitration.

The biggest sticking point right now is the amount of money the town would receive, said Easton Town Administrator David Colton.

“Our proposal is about $50,000 apart right now,” said Colton on Monday about the surrounding community agreement between the town and Raynham Park. “Fifty thousand dollars a year over 20 years is a lot of money,” he said.

Traffic is a major concern said Colton. “It’s not simply the volume of traffic, it’s the spin-off from the volume that affects the town in significant ways,” he said. “It creates the need for more traffic stops and the need for more police.”

Slots parlor traffic has the potential to bring more impaired drivers as well as more drivers who have let their licenses, insurance and registration lapse, said Colton.

Those traffic stops run longer since they require police to take the driver’s vehicle off the road, get it towed and bring the driver to the police station, Colton said.

The other traffic impact would be the intersections of Route 138 and 106, where much of the traffic is expected to travel, said Colton.

“They only have so much capacity and if that capacity is all used up by Raynham Park then what about growth in Easton? ” said Colton. “It constrains us and diminishes our ability to improve property and increase our tax base.”

There are some other sticking points that have not been ironed out yet as well, said Colton. The town wants a new police cruiser every five years, while Raynham Park only wants to buy a police cruiser one time, said Colton.

Colton’s other concern is the impact a casino could have on housing and property values. For that reason he wants Raynham Park to pay for a three-year housing study.

Trying to reach an agreement has been a time-consuming process, said Colton. “I think we have an agreement but the devil is in the details,” he said.

If a surrounding community agreement is reached between the town of Easton and Raynham Park it would then be voted on by the town’s selectmen.

“We’ve been working a long time toward this agreement,” said Easton Selectmen Chairman Colleen Corona. “We want to make sure we’ve done the best job we can insulating our community from the impacts of the proposal.”

Other towns that are working on surrounding community agreements with Raynham Park include Bridgewater, West Bridgewater, Middleboro and Taunton.

In November, Raynham Park signed an agreement with Taunton that would guarantee the city $200,000 a year to mitigate the impact of the proposed slots parlor. Raynham, as the host community, would get approximately $1 million annually.

Officials from Rehoboth, Berkley and Lakeville are also worried about the impact of the casino, specifically the traffic. They are being labeled as “nearby communities” and will take a wait-and-see approach as Raynham Park develops “nearby community” agreements, said Tom Bonner, the vice president and general counsel for Greenwood Racing, which is partnering with Raynham Park in the proposed Parx Raynham slots parlor venture.

He said that Raynham Park and Stoughton have signed a nearby community agreement that calls for the two parties to meet again in the future to analyze the impact and negotiate mitigation payments if necessary.

The other two communities seeking the only license for slot machines are Plainville and Leominister.

The state Gaming Commission is expected to make a decision on the slots parlor by the end of February or in early March.

Three full-fledged casino licenses are allowed in Massachusetts under the gaming law.

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has proposed a casino in Taunton.

http://www.enterprisenews.com/news/x110124721/Easton-and-Raynham-Park-struggling-to-reach-a-financial-agreement-on-slots-parlor?zc_p=1

 

Parx fighting for lower property taxes.....

Parx [Greenwood] is salivating to invade Raynham, Massachusetts.

Bill Kearney

http://media.cagle.com/82/2013/10/29/139463_600.jpg

Massachusetts ‘GAMING’ Future

Notice how they mention Parx Casino’s huge charitable donations, but what they’re not mentioning is those donations are coming from Pennsylvanians casino losses. ...

Philadelphia Inquirer - DECEMBER 4, 2013 - Parx Casino is fighting for lower property tax

The owners of Parx Casino, known for huge charitable donations, are fighting for a lower property-tax bill in Bensalem Township and have paid their property taxes under protest for the last three years.

The Bensalem Township School District said last month in a bond-offering document that Parx, including the race track, was by far the largest taxpayer in the township, accounting for 8.4 percent of school district assessments.

The total assessment for Parx, which is owned by Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment Inc., is $54.1 million. That translates into a market value of $426.8 million and an annual property tax bill of $10.1 million, according to the tax rate for 2013 published on Bensalem Township's web site.

The dispute centers on a 411-acre parcel that Greenwood bought for $56.9 million in 1990, according to a court document.

After Greenwood built Parx Casino, the Bucks County Board of Assessment Appeals increased the assessment of the property to $42.7 million from $11.8 million, a court filing says. After an initial appeal, the board of assessment dropped the assessment slightly, to $40.5 million in 2011.

That's when Greenwood subsidiaries Keystone Turf Club Inc. and Bensalem Racing Association Inc. appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. The companies argued in their 2011 lawsuit that the contested property's assessment should be $30.3 million. That would cut the company's annual real-estate tax by about $1.9 million, or about 19 percent, a year.

The Bensalem Township School District said in its bond prospectus that it expected the Parx tax appeal to be resolved in the next 18 months.

 Carrie Nork Minelli, spokeswoman for Parx, said the company does not comment on matters in litigation.

Taunton signs tentative mitigation deal with Raynham Park

Taunton signs tentative mitigation deal with Raynham Park

Gerry Tuoti

Posted: 11/08/2013

The city announced Friday that it has reached a tentative agreement with Raynham Park to mitigate the impacts of a proposed slot parlor at the former dog track.

The agreement, subject to the approval of Taunton City Council, calls for the gambling facility to pay Taunton $200,000 a year in community impact fees, with the amount increasing by 2.5 percent annually after the fourth year.

“I am pleased that we have been able to reach a mitigation agreement with Raynham Park,” Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. said. “Historically the relationship between the Carney family and the city of Taunton has been positive, with the dog track providing jobs for many of our residents. This project will breathe new life into the site and will be an employment provider to our region’s residents.”

Raynham Park owner George Carney has partnered with Pennsylvania-based Greenwood Racing in the proposal to build the Parx Raynham slot parlor.


http://m.tauntongazette.com/wkdTGazette/pm_32196/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=nfCJ9y7Z

Free Drinks! There's a Reason

Bill Kearney

Massachusetts ‘Gaming’ Future

They get them juiced so they can take their loot.

Morning Call - November 2, 2013 - Sands Casino leads the state in buying liquor ...

With drinks on the house for thousands of casino patrons each day, Sands spends $2 million a year on liquor.

When it comes to vices, Pennsylvanians apparently like theirs in pairs.
That may explain why people who gamble at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem drink more liquor than patrons at any other business in Pennsylvania, and why four of the top 10 liquor buyers in the state are casinos.

With free drinks flowing 19 hours a day on a gaming floor with 3,000 slot machines and 183 table games, Sands easily outpaced the rest of the state, spending nearly $2 million last year for liquor, according to figures released by the state Liquor Control Board.

That was $840,000 more than second-place Harrah's Casino in Chester, in part because Sands has one of the state's most generous free liquor policies. At Sands, if you're gambling, drinks are on the house.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pa-casinos-alcohol-sands-20131102,0,6391548.story#ixzz2jaggNDXOSee More

Sands Casino leads the state in buying liquor

With drinks on the house for thousands of casino patrons each day, Sands spends $2 million a year on liquor.

Bartender Nicole MacGown serves up a beer at the Coil bar at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem on Thursday. (MICHAEL KUBEL, THE MORNING CALL / October 30, 2013)

• X
  Laws and Legislation
  Dining and Drinking
  Crime
  Drunk Driving
  Restaurant and Catering Industry
  Mothers Against Drunk Driving
  Northampton (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
  Mount Airy
  Lehigh County
  Monroe County (Pennsylvania)

By

Matt Assad

When it comes to vices, Pennsylvanians apparently like theirs in pairs.

That may explain why people who gamble at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem drink more liquor than patrons at any other business in Pennsylvania, and why four of the top 10 liquor buyers in the state are casinos.

With free drinks flowing 19 hours a day on a gaming floor with 3,000 slot machines and 183 table games, Sands easily outpaced the rest of the state, spending nearly $2 million last year for liquor, according to figures released by the state Liquor Control Board.

That was $840,000 more than second-place Harrah's Casino in Chester, in part because Sands has one of the state's most generous free liquor policies. At Sands, if you're gambling, drinks are on the house.

---

That's good news for the nearly 22,000 people who visit what is arguably Pennsylvania's most successful casino complex, but with drunken driving arrests in the city up nearly 80 percent since the casino opened in 2009, Mothers Against Drunk Driving officials are less impressed.

"Mothers Against Drunk Driving [MADD] is concerned to learn that some casinos in Pennsylvania are providing free alcoholic beverages to patrons," said Jan Withers, MADD's national president.

"We would ask these establishments to be mindful that this practice can promote excessive alcohol consumption, which may lead to drunk driving."

Sands officials said they have the state's biggest bar tab because they, in effect, have the biggest bar.

"That's just a factor of the sheer volume of people we attract," said Sands spokeswoman Julia Corwin. "Eight million people a year come through our doors. Obviously, with free drinks available to that many people, the liquor bill is going to be high."

Corwin added that Sands has a strict policy not to serve more than two drinks per hour to any patron, and all servers are trained to spot intoxicated patrons and cut off booze to them.

According to the LCB, Sands bought 116,070 bottles of liquor and wine for $2 million in 2012, followed by Harrah's Casino's $1.16 million purchase of 73,717 bottles and the $1.15 million purchase of 47,090 bottles by Del Frisco's Steakhouse, an upscale restaurant in Philadelphia.

Other casinos in the top 10 include Rivers in Pittsburgh at $1.1 million and Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre at $1.1 million.

In the Lehigh Valley, Platinum Plus gentleman's club led all Lehigh County businesses with $554,000 worth of liquor purchased, while Blue Grillhouse in Bethlehem led non-casinos in Northampton County with $390,000 in liquor buys.

The Liquor Control Board only tracks the sale of wine and spirits. Beer is not included in its tally.

The first Pennsylvania casino opened in November 2006, and Sands began opening its now-$830 million casino complex in 2009. Table games like blackjack, roulette and craps were added at casinos statewide in 2010. Since then, Sands has become the second-most lucrative casino in the state — behind only Bensalem-based Parx — netting nearly $40 million in revenues per month from gamblers losses.

However, it has the state's busiest table games, pulling in $13.7 million at the tables per month, with Parx finishing second. Though casinos can deliver drinks to anyone gambling, the free drinks tend to be more plentiful in the table games areas than in the slot machine areas.

"The law basically says they can give free drinks to anyone who is actively playing," said state Gaming Control Board spokesman Richard McGarvey. "But how casinos decide to do that is a business decision. They all seem to do it a little differently."

Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, for example, provides self-serve fountains where people can get soda for free. They also have wait staff bringing drinks to tables and slots machines, but people have to pay.

There is no free liquor on the casino floor.

Other casinos only offer free drinks in the high-limit rooms, where a single hand can be in the thousands of dollars and the slot machines start at $1. Mohegan Sun in Wilkes-Barre gives beer away to players club members, but charges for liquor.

Sands is among the state's most generous casino alcohol servers. Wait staff offer all beverages, including beer and liquor, to all gamblers, no matter how much they are betting. Patrons cannot leave the gambling floor with drinks.

Like Sands, Mount Airy Casino in Paradise Township, Monroe County, offers free drinks to anyone who is gambling.

The varying free drink policies don't fully explain why Sands leads the state in liquor purchases. Parx, in Bensalem, for example, is the only casino with higher revenues than Sands. It has the same 'free drinks for all players' policy, yet bought less than one-third the liquor, at $600,000.

Arrests in Bethlehem for driving under the influence of alcohol have spiked since the casino opened, and in particular since the table games opened. The 274 DUI offenses in the city in 2008 increased to 488 in 2012 — a 78 percent increase.

That is despite a DUI arrest rate across the rest of Lehigh and Northampton counties that has remained virtually flat over the same period.

Bethlehem Police Lt. Jeremy Alleshouse wasn't ready to draw a straight line from the increase in DUI arrests to Sands' generous liquor policies, but he was willing to draw one to the casino. The Sands brings an average of nearly 22,000 people into the city every day and virtually all of them are of drinking age.

That's equivalent to increasing the city's population by 30 percent each day, he noted. In addition, he said police across the Lehigh Valley in recent years have been better trained to spot drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and thus have learned to catch more offenders.

"I believe that a combination of an increase in the number of drinking-aged tourists, combined with an increase in our enforcement capabilities has resulted in the overall increase in the number of DUI arrests made by the Bethlehem Police Department," Alleshouse said.

Corwin added that Sands' liquor license includes sales at four casino restaurants, including the pricey Emeril's Chop House.

And as is the case in every state-sanctioned casino, it also includes lots of liquor purchased at bars on the casino floor. Every casino has at least one lounge where drinks are sold. Sands has a 100-seat concert venue called Molton, a lounge where patrons can play the slots called Coil and a cocktail bar specializing in chilled fruit drinks, called Infusion.

However, the Sands Event Center concert venue, its six-restaurant food court and its buffet are on separate liquor licenses and do not figure into the casino's state-leading leading total.

"We want our patrons to enjoy their visit to Sands, but we encourage them to be responsible," Corwin said. "We have no interest in seeing anyone leave the casino that should not be driving."

Parx, Bensalem Coming to Raynham

This is the partner seeking a Slot Barn in Raynham, Massachusetts....

Bill Kearney

Massachusetts ‘Gaming’ Future

Bucks County Courier Times - October 28, 2013 - Cops: Man who claimed he lost at Parx tried taking $40K back

More proof that casinos ‘BREED’ compulsive casino gambling degenerates who become criminals....

A 27-year-old New York City man, who claims he lost “a lot” of money at the Bensalem casino allegedly tried to steal more than $40,000 worth of gaming chips from a blackjack table.

Pennsylvania State Police said Parx security managed to force Radik Pinkhasov, of Queens, to drop the 18 chips he stole out of a dealer’s rack.

Witnesses told police Pinkhasov was hanging around the high-limit table around 10:45 a.m., but not playing. Instead he was sitting at the table making “rude and vulgar” statements to other players, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The dealer said Pinkhasov kept repeating he’d lost a lot of money at the casino and made “disturbing and non-general threatening statements,” the affidavit said.

Suddenly, Pinkhasov made a move toward the dealer and his chip rack and managed to snag the chips worth $43,575, police said. A security officer quickly intervened and forced Pinkhasov to drop the chips.

Surveillance footage shows Pinkhasov lunge forward out of his seat and begin grabbing chips out of the tray, police said. The dealer tried to push his hands. That is when a security officer grabbed the suspect’s right hand containing the chips.

Pinkhasov was arraigned Monday before Bensalem District Judge Joseph Falcone on charges of robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct. He was sent to Bucks County prison in lieu of 10 percent of $100,000 bail.

http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/crime/cops-man-who-claimed-he-lost-at-parx-tried-taking/article_3b1c095c-4074-5ba3-a475-ad6af6586707.html#user-comment-areaSee More

 

BUDGET BREAKDOWN: Capital investment in the Parx Casino proposal

BUDGET BREAKDOWN: Capital investment in the Parx Casino proposal

By Marc Larocque

Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter

Posted Oct 28, 2013

TAUNTON —

$277.3 million: The total capital investment in the Parx Casino plan in Raynham.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission last week publicly released application documents from the three developers vying for the single slots parlor license in Massachusetts. Raynham Park LLC, a partnership between Raynham Park owner George Carney and Pennsylvania-based Greenwood Racing, hopes to win the license to build a slots parlor at the former dog track in Raynham. While application documents marked “confidential” were not made public, the 236-page application provides a basic breakdown of the proposal’s finances.

$45 million: Equity contributed by Greenwood Racing.
$11 million: Equity contributed by Carney Family LLC through transfer of land and assets to Raynham Park LLC.
$125 million: Bank financing from syndicate of lenders led by Credit Suisse.
$46.3 million: Capital generated by a year of operating a temporary slots parlor while a permanent facility is built.
More information: massgaming.com

Read more: BUDGET BREAKDOWN: Capital investment in the Parx Casino proposal - Raynham, MA - Raynham Call http://www.wickedlocal.com/raynham/news/x1745250300/BUDGET-BREAKDOWN-Capital-investment-in-the-Parx-Casino-proposal#ixzz2j6upJLia
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W. Bridgewater official wants town to reach deal with Raynham Park

“As leaders of town owe it to residents not to promote additional hardship,” Gagne said. “If the project is to be built, we owe it to residents to provide the best mitigation plan available. … The town of West Bridgewater just needs financial relief to mitigate the expected 2,800 extra cars per day that will travel through the town.”

Many supporters of Raynham Park, from Brockton, Easton and other nearby communities, spoke out in favor of George Carney and Raynham Park.

There were also members of the labor group Unite Here, urging Carney and Greenwood Racing to reach a “labor harmony agreement” to create a level playing field for workers. At this point, there is no labor harmony agreement in place as part of Raynham Park’s gaming license application.

One speaker from Unite Here said that a strong union ensures a safe working environment for women in the gambling and hospitality industry. A representative from Unite Here said they did have a positive meeting with Raynham Park owner George Carney, but that they have not heard back from his operating partner, Greenwood Racing.

Several former Raynham Park workers, including several from Easton, talked about their time at Raynham Park before layoffs resulting from a statewide ban on dog racing enacted in 2010, saying that they were able to go to college, buy their homes and achieve their dreams by saving money while working at the track. The supporters of the track said they want hundreds of jobs that were lost to come back to Raynham Park. Vendors who have worked with George Carney also spoke in his favor during the hearing, saying Carney supports other local businesses. Several speakers also attested to the Carney family staying loyal to Raynham and keeping the park open, supporting local families, even in tough times.

Charles W. Tartaglia, a friend of Carney from Easton, told the audience about how Raynham Park would be an ideal venue for boxing. As of right now, the closest venue for good boxing matches is Foxwoods or Twin River.

“Boxing here would be a boon for the whole area,” Tartaglia said.

Is David Gagne Prostituting Himself?

West Bridgewater: Who'd you get in bed with?

David Gagne was best buds with Sticky Fingers Piontkowski and couldn't grovel low enough to promote Predatory Gambling and a Slot Barn in Plainville, FACTS be damned!

David Gagne was an intern ? assistant ? to Plainville Slot Barn Cheerleader Joe Fernandes, participating in negotiations, no questions from town residents allowed, no transparency permitted.

Now, David Gagne is causing trouble and challenging Raynham? Hmmmmm......doesn't anyone wonder?

Did West Bridgewater conduct their due diligence before hiring this Casino Shill?


W. Bridgewater official wants town to reach deal with Raynham Park

By Marc Larocque

Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter

Posted Oct 24, 2013

EASTON —

A public hearing about the proposed slot casino in Raynham yielded little input about the potential harmful impact the facility could have on surrounding areas, except from an West Bridgewater official who said his town would not support the gambling destination unless it reaches a fair agreement on community mitigation.

David Gagne, town administrator from West Bridgewater, told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Wednesday that Raynham Park should come to a fair agreement to mitigate traffic and other effects on West Bridgewater that would result from the slot casino Raynham Park hopes to build at its longtime dog track on Route 138. Otherwise, Gagne said, West Bridgewater would oppose the Raynham Park slot casino proposal, which includes the construction of a new 175,000-square-foot facility to house the slots and entertainment, along with plans for future development for retail, entertainment and a possible hotel.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission held the hearing at Oliver Ames High School in Easton, with the specific intention of receiving public input on how the project will affect surrounding communities. Raynham Park is one of three finalists vying for the sole slot parlor license provided by the state gambling legislation, which is expected to be issued by the commission by the end of the year.

The traffic analysis that Raynham Park already commissioned estimates approximately 7,008 trips per day to the facility, with 40 percent of those trips traveling through West Bridgewater, Gagne said.

“As of this point, we have not been designated a surrounding community, although the amount of traffic flowing through the town will clearly have an adverse impact,” Gagne said. “I am here to inform you, without a surrounding community designation, the town cannot be supportive of the project. However, if the town is designated a surrounding community and the town can reach an agreement that provides for the appropriate financial relief, the town will be supportive.”

Up to this point, Taunton and Easton have been given the surrounding community designation from Raynham Park, as part of their Phase II application, but West Bridgewater and other neighboring communities want that designation as well.

Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby reminded Gagne that if Raynham Park doesn’t come to a surrounding community agreement with West Bridgewater, the town has the opportunity to petition the commission, which has the authority to mediate the agreement.

Gagne said Raynham Park, with dog track owner George Carney and operating partner Greenwood Racing, is the best of the three slot applicants, which also includes a site in Plainville and another in Leominster.

“As leaders of town owe it to residents not to promote additional hardship,” Gagne said. “If the project is to be built, we owe it to residents to provide the best mitigation plan available. … The town of West Bridgewater just needs financial relief to mitigate the expected 2,800 extra cars per day that will travel through the town.”

Many supporters of Raynham Park, from Brockton, Easton and other nearby communities, spoke out in favor of George Carney and Raynham Park.

There were also members of the labor group Unite Here, urging Carney and Greenwood Racing to reach a “labor harmony agreement” to create a level playing field for workers. At this point, there is no labor harmony agreement in place as part of Raynham Park’s gaming license application.

One speaker from Unite Here said that a strong union ensures a safe working environment for women in the gambling and hospitality industry. A representative from Unite Here said they did have a positive meeting with Raynham Park owner George Carney, but that they have not heard back from his operating partner, Greenwood Racing.

Several former Raynham Park workers, including several from Easton, talked about their time at Raynham Park before layoffs resulting from a statewide ban on dog racing enacted in 2010, saying that they were able to go to college, buy their homes and achieve their dreams by saving money while working at the track. The supporters of the track said they want hundreds of jobs that were lost to come back to Raynham Park. Vendors who have worked with George Carney also spoke in his favor during the hearing, saying Carney supports other local businesses. Several speakers also attested to the Carney family staying loyal to Raynham and keeping the park open, supporting local families, even in tough times.

Charles W. Tartaglia, a friend of Carney from Easton, told the audience about how Raynham Park would be an ideal venue for boxing. As of right now, the closest venue for good boxing matches is Foxwoods or Twin River.

“Boxing here would be a boon for the whole area,” Tartaglia said.

A public hearing about the proposed slot casino in Raynham yielded little input about the potential harmful impact the facility could have on surrounding areas, except from an West Bridgewater official who said his town would not support the gambling destination unless it reaches a fair agreement on community mitigation.

David Gagne, town administrator from West Bridgewater, told the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Wednesday that Raynham Park should come to a fair agreement to mitigate traffic and other effects on West Bridgewater that would result from the slot casino Raynham Park hopes to build at its longtime dog track on Route 138. Otherwise, Gagne said, West Bridgewater would oppose the Raynham Park slot casino proposal, which includes the construction of a new 175,000-square-foot facility to house the slots and entertainment, along with plans for future development for retail, entertainment and a possible hotel.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission held the hearing at Oliver Ames High School in Easton, with the specific intention of receiving public input on how the project will affect surrounding communities. Raynham Park is one of three finalists vying for the sole slot parlor license provided by the state gambling legislation, which is expected to be issued by the commission by the end of the year.

The traffic analysis that Raynham Park already commissioned estimates approximately 7,008 trips per day to the facility, with 40 percent of those trips traveling through West Bridgewater, Gagne said.

“As of this point, we have not been designated a surrounding community, although the amount of traffic flowing through the town will clearly have an adverse impact,” Gagne said. “I am here to inform you, without a surrounding community designation, the town cannot be supportive of the project. However, if the town is designated a surrounding community and the town can reach an agreement that provides for the appropriate financial relief, the town will be supportive.”

Up to this point, Taunton and Easton have been given the surrounding community designation from Raynham Park, as part of their Phase II application, but West Bridgewater and other neighboring communities want that designation as well.

Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby reminded Gagne that if Raynham Park doesn’t come to a surrounding community agreement with West Bridgewater, the town has the opportunity to petition the commission, which has the authority to mediate the agreement.

Gagne said Raynham Park, with dog track owner George Carney and operating partner Greenwood Racing, is the best of the three slot applicants, which also includes a site in Plainville and another in Leominster.
“As leaders of town owe it to residents not to promote additional hardship,” Gagne said. “If the project is to be built, we owe it to residents to provide the best mitigation plan available. … The town of West Bridgewater just needs financial relief to mitigate the expected 2,800 extra cars per day that will travel through the town.”
Many supporters of Raynham Park, from Brockton, Easton and other nearby communities, spoke out in favor of George Carney and Raynham Park.

There were also members of the labor group Unite Here, urging Carney and Greenwood Racing to reach a “labor harmony agreement” to create a level playing field for workers. At this point, there is no labor harmony agreement in place as part of Raynham Park’s gaming license application.

One speaker from Unite Here said that a strong union ensures a safe working environment for women in the gambling and hospitality industry. A representative from Unite Here said they did have a positive meeting with Raynham Park owner George Carney, but that they have not heard back from his operating partner, Greenwood Racing.

Several former Raynham Park workers, including several from Easton, talked about their time at Raynham Park before layoffs resulting from a statewide ban on dog racing enacted in 2010, saying that they were able to go to college, buy their homes and achieve their dreams by saving money while working at the track. The supporters of the track said they want hundreds of jobs that were lost to come back to Raynham Park. Vendors who have worked with George Carney also spoke in his favor during the hearing, saying Carney supports other local businesses. Several speakers also attested to the Carney family staying loyal to Raynham and keeping the park open, supporting local families, even in tough times.

Charles W. Tartaglia, a friend of Carney from Easton, told the audience about how Raynham Park would be an ideal venue for boxing. As of right now, the closest venue for good boxing matches is Foxwoods or Twin River.

“Boxing here would be a boon for the whole area,” Tartaglia said.

 

http://www.wickedlocal.com/raynham/features/x348802295/W-Bridgewater-official-wants-town-to-reach-deal-with-Raynham-Park?zc_p=0

Easton residents address gambling board on Raynham slots

By Michele Morgan Bolton

| Globe correspondent October 24, 2013

The Massachusetts gambling commission held the first of two public hearings on Wednesday to address the impact a proposed Raynham slot machine parlor might have on bordering communities.
Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the commission, led the afternoon meeting at Oliver Ames High School in Easton, which drew dozens of elected officials, former employees, and longtime friends of Raynham Park owner George Carney.

Almost all sang the praises of the popular businessman, who is working with Greenwood Racing on the $227 million entertainment complex at the former dog track on Route 138.

Carney’s application is one of three for the state’s sole license for a slots parlor. Hearings were also held earlier this week near Leominster and Plainville, where the other slots parlors were proposed.

Most speakers hailed the 1,000 construction jobs and 800 permanent positions a slots parlor would bring to Bristol County, which has a 9 percent unemployment rate.

Carney was characterized as a keen businessman and true friend who held on to as many longtime employees as he could when the state outlawed dog racing in 2010.

“I’ve known him for close to 70 years,’’ said Charlie Tartaglia, owner of George’s Café in Brockton.

“He is the epitome of community.”

Julie Flynn of West Bridgewater said she worked for Carney in college and later, after she had children,

“Slots would be a great opportunity for adults right out of high school looking for a path,’’ she said.

To date, only Easton and Taunton have been designated by Raynham Park as surrounding communities, or municipalities that can negotiate mitigation to offset traffic and other woes.

Easton wants $1 million a year, the same amount as Raynham, the project’s host community.

Raynham Park’s own engineering study shows that 50 percent of potential traffic will travel Easton’s roads, said Colleen Corona, chairwoman of Easton’s Board of Selectmen. “We believe that underestimates it. We are looking forward to a fair mitigation agreement.”

At least eight other communities hope to work out deals with Raynham Park, including West Bridgewater, which will see 40 percent of the generated traffic on its roads, said Town Administrator David Gagne.

“The Raynham Dog Track was once a vibrant, connected local enterprise that was a wonderful neighbor,’’ he said. “But without surrounding community status, the town can’t support the project.”

Municipalities that have not been designated surrounding communities by applicants by Oct. 31 can petition the state Gaming Commission for status.

The hearing also drew union representatives, who said Carney’s application is missing the statutory requirement of labor harmony.

Former employees of American Waste Service, a company owned by Carney’s son, Chris, protested before the meeting, saying that the company, which handled trash removal for four area municipalities, did not pay its employees a prevailing wage.

A lawsuit is pending in Norfolk Superior Court.


http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/10/23/easton-residents-address-gambling-commission-about-proposed-raynham-slots-parlor/MCGyqViyl0WUGDBBooYG1H/story.html

 

KoolAid Consumption in Raynham

Officials: Raynham covered by host community agreement

By Marc Larocque

Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter

Posted Jun 12, 2013

Raynham Board of Selectmen, from left, JosephPacheco, RichardSchiavo and MarieSmith

RAYNHAM —

Elected leaders in Raynham said that the host community agreement they reached on a proposed 1,250 slot machine gaming facility will mitigate all impacts on the town related to the development project.

The town’s consultant for the project has determined that major infrastructure improvements to the town’s water and sewer system are not required for the first two phases of development planned for the Raynham Park slot project.

But if and when further phases of development come to be, including plans for a hotel along with retail stores and restaurants at the 125-acre site on Broadway, the host community agreement covers it, said Raynham Board of Selectmen Chairman Joseph Pacheco.

“They recognized impacts that are going to be put on this community as a result of this,” Pacheco said on Wednesday. “At the end of the day, we came away with an agreement that is good for Raynham and operating a business as well. There is a whole separate section in the agreement about infrastructure improvements. Those costs will be exclusively bore by Raynham Park.”

On Tuesday night, the three-member Raynham Board of Selectmen approved a host community agreement that would provide the town $1.1 million annually, in addition to property taxes, permitting costs and other fees that the developers must pay the town on the proposed 175,000-square-foot gaming facility they plan to construct. Raynham Park, which was a dog track for nearly 70 years and has been holding simulcast racing since greyhound racing was banned in 2008, must invest at least $125 million according to the Massachusetts gaming legislation.

“The negotiation obviously had its challenges,” Pacheco said. “Their top priority is operating a business, obviously. I do have to give them credit. They recognized impacts that are going to be put on this community as a result of that. At the end of the day, we came away with an agreement that good for Raynham and operating a business as well.”

The community host agreement has not yet been released to the public, but the Selectmen said on Tuesday night that they would be releasing the 13-page document within seven days. A town-wide referendum vote is expected to take place in mid-August, but should be announced in the following days, Pacheco said.

When it comes to covering a potential influx of police or ambulance calls, Pacheco said that Raynham Park would not be the only business generating calls for service in the area.

Also, the issue is complicated by the fact that a plan to police the slot casino, which may involve the State Police, has not yet been formed at this point, according to a consultant hired by the town.
“We’re getting over a million dollars a year to handle impacts and so forth,” Pacheco said. “The board, at our discretion, is going to make decisions if there is an appropriate need for (police and fire) staffing. … There will be some increase in calls for service. But nobody should just make the presumption the calls will just be for Raynham Park. We have other businesses in the town of Raynham.”

Conor Yunits, a spokesperson for Raynham Park and its owner George Carney, said that the developers are in the process of finalizing all the renderings of redevelopment at the Route 138 site, located just off of Interstate 495 and not far from Route 24. Yunits said that Raynham Park, along with its partner Greenwood Racing/Parx, of Pennsylvania, has a tentative plan to release the renderings, and more economic information surrounding the proposed slot casino project, next month.

“We’re in the process of finalizing all the renderings,” Yunits said. “Also there is all the economic data, the jobs numbers and everything else. We expect to have it all completed in the next two weeks.”

Yunits said that following the tentative announcement set for July, Raynham Park plans to follow it up with a series of community meetings at Raynham Park “so people can come ask questions and learn more” prior to the town wide referendum.

Yunits said a website, dedicated to information about the project, is set to launch by the end of June.

“We are trying to get it done as soon as possible,” he said. “We want to make as much info available to the public as soon as possible.”

What is known right now about the economic impact of the project is that B&S Consulting, which was hired by the town to analyze the proposed slot casino, has said the Raynham Park slot parlor would generation between 411 and 500 new jobs. The firm’s figure is lower than the initial estimate of 600 put forth by the developers. [Experience elsewhere indicates the ratio is 3-4 SLOT MACHINES per Employee, not specifying shifts, part-time workers. These are LOW WAGE JOBS.]


Raynham Park and town officials said that after three years, the annual $1.1 million payment to the town will increase by 2.5 percent for each following year. Out of the $1.1 million, $100,000 of that will go toward capital costs for the town, which would pay for things like police cars and dump trucks, even after three years as the formula for host community compensation changes.

Another detail of the agreement is that that the 2.5 percent yearly increases to the $1.1 million payment would be subject to a “1 percent gross gaming revenue cap” after 20 years of operations.

In addition to the $1.1 million, during the second year and beyond, the agreement calls for $15,000 to be contributed by Raynham Park each year to a fund that will provide payments to local businesses that apply for façade improvements on the Route 138 corridor. The Raynham Park developers also agreed to conduct a traffic impact study at the junction of Old North Main and Elm streets, along with perfuming additional traffic, water and sewer studies as recommended by the town’s planning consultant for the project.

State Rep. Angelo D’Emilia, R-Bridgewater, said he believes the agreement is good for Raynham.
“I think the Carney family has proven in the past they can run that kind of establishment and if the community agrees moving forward, it’d be a great thing getting jobs back to Raynham,” D’Emilia said.

State Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, said the agreement sounds good, but the issue is for Raynham to decide.

“From a state perspective, we’re certainly interested in these licenses,” said Pacheco, noting that the gaming legislation calls for a 40 percent tax on the holder of the slot license, which will be awarded later this year or early 2014.

Joseph Pacheco said he believes that public opinion in Raynham is positive about the proposed gaming facility, partly because of Raynham Park’s history in Raynham and how it has employed many residents over the years.

“There has always been deep support in Raynham for Raynham Park,” Pacheco said.
[Not from the Raynham residents I've spoken to!]


http://www.tauntongazette.com/newsnow/x1484773708/Officials-Raynham-covered-by-host-community-agreement?zc_p=0#axzz2W6PigrLu



Norton officials wary of gambling impact

Shortchanging Raynham

Raynham promised a jackpot

Slots deal would pay town $1M annually

Wednesday, June 12, 2013
By: Dave Wedge

Raynham Park became the first slots developer to strike a local deal as the former greyhound racetrack won approval last night from selectmen for a pact that could pay the southeastern Massachusetts town $1 million a year in gaming cash.

Townspeople and the state gaming board must still vote on the plan before any deal is done.

“The town of Raynham will be well-served by this agreement,” said Joe Pacheco, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. “We look forward to a robust discussion about this proposal, and hope for a favorable vote later this summer.”
 

Under the deal, the slots palace would pay the town $1 million a year in its first three years, a fee that will increase by 2.5 percent each subsequent year.

The town’s haul would be capped at 
1 percent of all gross gaming revenue after 20 years.
Raynham Park, which has partnered with Pennsylvania casino company Greenwood Racing/Parx, will also pay the town $100,000 a year for capital improvements and $15,000 a year to improve Route 138. The agreement also includes preferential hiring for Raynham residents, as well as requirements to use local vendors.

“We are very excited,” said Greenwood Racing CEO Tony Ricci. “Raynham Park ... will be a beautiful addition to the social landscape of the town and will provide a significant boost to the local economy.”

Raynham Park owner George Carney added: “Our location ... offers the highest revenue potential to the commonwealth of Massachusetts for the slot casino license. Our outstanding management team will ensure that we deliver the full promise of this opportunity.”

The pact marks the first “host community agreement” approval for any of the four developers competing for the state’s sole slots license. The state gambling law requires a local deal to be in place before a license is issued.

Plainridge Racecourse, which is seeking a slots license, is in talks with the town of Plainville, while Worcester recently rejected a proposal by Chicago’s Rush Street Gaming. Cordish Co. of Maryland is also reportedly seeking a slots license, but has yet to identify a location.

The state gaming board is expected to award the slots license this fall.

For resort casinos, Springfield has struck a pact with MGM Resorts International while Everett officials have a deal with Wynn Resorts. Both deals need voter approval.

- See more at: http://bostonherald.com/business/business_markets/2013/06/raynham_promised_a_jackpot#sthash.Ke307YEV.dpuf

Raynham Park strikes deal with town on slot machine parlor

By Mark Arsenault

| Globe Staff June 11, 2013
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/11/raynham-park-strikes-deal-with-town-over-slot-machine-parlor/1QLjMn7wbBFwoq505pvoeL/story.html

Host community agreement for slot parlor in Raynham approved
Taunton Daily Gazette
The three-member board unanimously approved a draft of the host community agreement that was forged with Raynham Park, the former dog track which has ...
 


 

Raynham: Workers Protest At Proposed Slot Barn Location

George Carney has sought a Slot Barn license for this Raynham location.

Workers protest outside American Waste Services in Raynham

Michael Smith | Correspondent

American Waste Services workers and supporters march in protest of years of wages owed to them during a protest at Raynham Park Saturday afternoon.

Read more: http://www.tauntongazette.com/news/x373359091/Workers-protest-outside-American-Waste-Services-in-Raynham#ixzz2Voifp5dW
Follow us: @TauntonToGo on Twitter | TauntonToGo on Facebook

By Michael Smith

Correspondent

Posted Jun 08, 2013

RAYNHAM —

More than 50 workers and former workers of American Waste Services, a company specializing in commercial, residential and industrial waste removal, staged a protest at Raynham Park on Saturday afternoon.

The protest was designed to address years of missing wages, which have not been paid to American Waste Services. The total of missing wages is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to Fuerza-Laboral, an organization that is helping organize the workers.

American Waste Services, founded by Mike Galvin and Chris Carney, is based out of the Raynham Taunton Dog Track, which is owned by Carney’s father, George Carney.

No longer a greyhound track, Raynham Park has remained opened as a simulcast betting parlor.
American Waste Services, according to an employee, had contacts with the towns of Wrentham, Foxboro, Medway, and Franklin. Workers there earned an average of $26.98 and hour.
An employee, who wished to be unnamed, said anywhere from $150 to $300 dollars a week were missing from their paychecks.
Carney and Galvin sold the company in 2011. The new owner assumed control on January 1, 2012. When the new owners assumed control, workers began to see the money in their paychecks.
In order to receive their missing wages, the workers decided to stage a public action in protest.
The public action was planned with help from Fuerza-Laboral, a Central Falls, R.I.-based organization of workers who organize other workers to end labor exploitation. Phoebe Gardener, community organizer for Fuerza-Laboral, said American Waste Services workers contacted them first.
As the workers marched along Route 138 near the Raynham Park entrance, Gardener lead them in cheers of protest, “Ain’t no power like the power of the people, because the power of the people don’t stop!”
The workers, mostly from Guatemala and Ecuador, held homemade cards made to look like checks showing how much they say Carney and Galvin owed workers. The amounts ranged from $3.35 to $9 an hour for anywhere from 4.5 to 8 years.
Twenty minutes into the protest Raynham police arrived to monitor the demonstration. Lt. Brian Carr spoke to Gardener and the group about where they can peacefully march and not interfere with traffic.
Cars that drove by on Route 138 honked their horns in support of the demonstration.
During the hour-long protest, Gardner had workers give their own testimonials via a bullhorn. Because most of the workers could only speak Spanish, Will Lambek, a supporter of Fuerza-Laboral since 2007, translated for them.
Chris Carney could not be reached for comment.