Left at the altar

Vermin and bad ideas scurry when exposed to daylight, which may explain why the Mashpee Wampanoag Monster was crammed through, surrounded by hysteria, zealots who stood to gain, promises made behind closed doors, carefully protected by tyrants like our very own Gavel Queen, Marsha Brunelle or Wayne Perkins' misinformation. Strong armed tactics and threats were generously applied.

Many simply wanted to believe the rapist and convicted felon's pearls of wisdom that turned to manure on closer inspection, even as he accused honest questioners of racism.

The Middleboro proponents remain bitter, quickly blaming others for their failure to recognize folly and lies. It is, after all, just simpler to blame than to reflect - the reflection was pretty ugly.

They surrendered common sense for that phony Holy Grail, abandoning sensible scrutiny and rational discussion.

And even 4 years later, fail to recognize that their willingness to believe false prophets caused their abandonment.

It was with some measure of amusement, to find Milford selectmen support plan to speed up industrial park development in which the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe now seem expert in all things "Indian," regardless of how remote. [The Tribe included only the Town of Mashpee in their application for recognition. Maybe that leaves the entire Commonwealth fair game for their Slot Barns.]

A dubious rumor circulating indicates that Mashpee Wampanoag Big Cheeses were huddled for a Hot Business deal at some tacky, local mall restaurant. Maybe some of the Tribal Members should be following them to watch how they fritter away money the Tribe will have to repay.

Fall River City Council

On Tuesday, September 14th, the Fall River City Council graciously allowed me the opportunity to address them regarding the issue of the "proposed" Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Casino.

Watching their conduct of business provided an interesting insight into how others conduct their business and provide for public input, something Middleboro or more specifically, Marsha Brunelle would be wise to consider.

Posted on the official web site, is an explanation that there will be a public comment portion of their meeting that permits residents to comment for three (3) minutes.

Council approval is required to allow non-residents to address their meeting.

There is a log book available for the public to sign-in to address the Council. Maybe that doesn't fully apply to Middleboro, but it doesn't silence the public as Ms. Brunelle intended.

Below are the comments offered to the Fall River City Council:


Two (2) Supreme Court decisions specifically prevent land from being placed in trust for Native American Tribes for the purpose of gambling.

The oft mentioned Carcieri v Salazar for which a "Fix" is falsely suggested and ignored, is the Hawaii v Office of Hawaiian Affairs decision of which --

Justice Alito wrote, "It would raise

grave constitutional concerns" [if]

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".

This decision is clearly written, unanimous and joined by a majority of states.

Prior to those 2 decisions, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe failed to qualify for LIT because, inter alia, they exceeded the 30 mile limit intended by Congress to prevent 'casino shopping,' which this is and they have no historical ties to Middleboro nor Fall River.

"Historical ties" means more that 'we went fishing there 200 years ago' and is specifically defined in law.

For $500 million, you get a SLOT BARN, not some euphemistic facility.

Sands Bethlehem cost +$600 million and is a SLOT BARN.

The promise of jobs is being wildly overstated.

Sands Bethlehem, with 3,000 slots, has 780 employees.
Rivers has 1,000.

The majority of those jobs will be low wage dead end jobs, according to numerous reports.

My recurring question is "If slots pave the streets with gold, what happened to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, the poster children for gambling?"

The Federal Reserve of Philadelphia commented that working 2 or 3 jobs was necessary to rise out of poverty.

In Atlantic City, poverty is higher than pre-casinos, unemployment unabated, school performance unimproved.

Crime has risen and property values have declined with the presence of slot barns.

The Las Vegas drop-out rate is the highest in the nation. The foreclosure rate is 5 times the national average. The suicide rate among the highest per capita.

Gambling Addicts have the lowest rate of self-referral of any addiction and the highest rate of suicides.

In an OpEd, Scott Harshbarger, former Attorney General wrote:

...in Indiana it takes 10 riverboats, one

casino and two racinos to generate

16,000 current jobs and Louisiana

requires 18 casinos to employ 17,268,

according to the American Gaming

Association.

The states that most closely mirror

the current legislation suggest that

the real results will be but a fraction

of the job estimates we have been

hearing. Michigan’s three casinos

net 8,568 permanent jobs and New

Mexico’s five racinos employ less

than 2,000 people.

It has been my observation that the Gambling Industry crams through their proposal before thoughtful and intelligent officials and the public have had an opportunity to research the facts and consider the impacts. It's not all flashing lights and glitter, but rather Fools' Gold.

Spectrum Gaming prepared a report for the CT DOSR (Dept. of Special Revenue) that is posted on the United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts web site. Excerpts are posted on my blog, Middleboro Remembers.

Harrah's determined that 90% of their profits originated from 10% of their patrons, then targeted, marketed and pursued those patrons. That's Gambling Addiction without which this Industry would not survive. (Those statistics have not been disputed by the Industry and other reports indicate similar statistics, sometimes 80%/20% and so on.)

Why would we promote a fiscal policy that depends on government sponsored addiction and the exploitation of the gullible? Slots have been called the "Crack Cocaine of Gambling" and a "Tax on the Stupid" ?

A federal report determined that every $1 gambling revenue provided, the cost to taxpayers was $3.

The same federal report determined that gambling addiction increased with proximity.


Gambling revenues are declining. Slot machines are being removed. Foxwoods announced a cessation of payments to Tribal members and has defaulted on bond payments, as have others. Casinos, slot parlors and racinos have filed for bankruptcy.

What happens in Fall River will not stay in Fall River. You are my neighbors and what you do will impact me.

I would respectfully request that you avail yourselves of this opportunity to investigate the degradation Gambling has caused to other communities and to carefully consider what those crimes and drunk drivers will cost your community.

"Something for nothing" schemes didn't work in the past. There's no reason to believe they will now.

We can and should do better.

The Echoes Inside Their Heads

Concealing ignorance in Executive Sessions may be a violation of Open Meeting Laws, but the Middleboro Board of Selectmen has never allowed that to stop them.

The Chairwoman, not the brightest bulb in the circuit and mostly content to wallow in her own ignorance, never one to question, has her own agenda that doesn't include accurate information or public discussion.

Does anyone remember when Selectwoman Marsha Brunelle wanted Town Counsel to negotiate the agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe to save money? Surely town counsel has negotiated many Tribal Agreements and is fully familiar with IGRA, IRA, pertinent landmark court decisions and such! [insert sarcasm emoticon]

Does anyone remember when Marsha Brunelle and Wayne Perkins refused to allow a public discussion of Jack Healey's land auction that was advertised ONLY in Middleboro's weekly newspaper that cheated taxpayers out of a fair and reasonable price for the proposed 'casino property' ? Remember, those were the parcels Jack Healey, former Town Manager was seen poring over Assessors' Maps with Stephen Graham selecting? Sorry, Jack! Remember that day when I forgot my coffee mug and the doors to the Selectmen's Meeting Room were closed? And there were other times, as well.

There's much else in the convoluted history of the secret deals and misinformation of the BOS that seems unending.

Fortunately, their current ignorance seems harmless, but provides fodder for amusement and helps define their willingness to pursue Mushroom Farming, a thriving industry in Middleboro's Town Hall. (You know? Kept in the dark and fed a diet of manure?)

It was embarrassing that the Middleboro BOS sent a letter to the BIA, mostly staffed with Native Americans and known for its corruption, advising that the Tribe is not to be trusted. Chicanery? Paallleeeaze! Wasn't anyone in Town Hall paying attention to Abramoff?

I sure hope they sent that letter with Delivery Confirmation because the BIA has an obnoxious habit of losing things. Deliberate? One might wonder.

Now they believe Cedric Cromwell's Day Dream that he has magically submitted some kind of application to the BIA for LIT for their Fall River Fiasco.


Has anyone asked Cedric why the application has NOT appeared in the Federal Register? When was it submitted?

When the BIA officially accepts a trust land application, it's posted in the Federal Register.

No post in the Federal Register.

If they are adding the Fall River land, they have to post an intent to conduct an EIS at that site. Haven't seen that yet either.

It would appear there is no pending request for permission to game on that land with the only agency authorized to give Cedric permission to game.


This is classic Cedric --

In a prepared statement to The Enterprise, Cromwell, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council chairman, said the tribe “would like to work with (the town) to find a mutually beneficial use for the land.”


Oh? You mean the land the TRIBE does NOT own?

Thanks for your assistance, Cedric! [insert laughter track here]

I hate re-runs!

Email Web Sites
Being played for fools?
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!

Abramoff

Watch Out Milford: This is How it starts

Predatory Gambling is so wildly profitable for the greedy owners that they can afford the best full-time lobbyists who provide glitter filled propaganda that is readily regurgitated by short-staffed newspapers.

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Why work, compose and do any research, when you can just print what's handed to you?

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And by all means, make sure "No questions are asked!"

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Selectman Chair from Milford, Brian W. Murray is NOT allowing public comments at tonight's meeting.

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It is undetermined is Brian W. Murray is related to Massachusetts Senate President "Ca Ching" Murray or Middleboro's Very Own Arrogant Gavel Queen, Marsha Brunelle, who thought nothing of gaveling opposition to silence in front of the media.

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Genealogy aside, the failure to allow questions, input or study should set off alarm bells.

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You might want to review some of the reports that are available to inform yourselves. You just might want to consider some of those pesky little details, like say public safety costs, public school impacts, and, oh yes! Where will those low wage, low skilled workers working dead end jobs live?

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When public input is prohibited, what are they hiding?

Casino Tyranny

As my friend, Gladys pointed out, in The Playbook, there are standard rules that have been employed in other states and countries that have been thoroughly tested and evaluated and improved based on their success.

Because predatory gambling is so wildly profitable, they can afford the BEST!

They buy the best media shills like State House News that pretends to be impartial, best experts and spread money around with lobbyists monopolizing attention and spreading the propaganda.

Most folks follow like sheep, accept the pot o' gold at the end of the casino rainbow, like Palmer Town Councilor Paul Burns and vilify those who question.
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Leadership isn't bullying like Paul Burns or tyranny like Middleboro's very own Arrogant Gavel Queen, Marsha Brunelle who gavelled democracy to silence.

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Leadership is elected officials like Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Representative Todd Smola (R-Palmer) for their serious commonsense in carefully examining the impacts of predatory gambling and a willingness to listen.

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Wisdom is the voters who support them.
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Dear friends,

I am writing to you to ask for your support of our state senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) who was unfairly and inappropriately criticized in the Springfield Republican newspaper today.
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/palmer_town_councilor_paul_bur.html

Both Senator Brewer and Representative Todd Smola (R-Palmer) have extensively researched the complex issue of expanding predatory gambling and legalizing slots in the Commonwealth. They have attended numerous meetings throughout the Quaboag Valley and at the Statehouse on this subject.

Senator Brewer's participation and leadership with the Western MA Casino Task Force lead to the development of the ground breaking report that articulates 23 major concerns for impacts to the region and calls for an independent cost-benefit analysis.
http://www.pvpc.org/casino/web-content/docs/L-WMCATLegislatorsAugust200.pdf

In meeting with the designated "point person" on the issue of casinos/slots for the State Senate, Senator Rosenberg, the task force learned that Senator Brewer has been the most persistent legislator to approach him on this issue with questions, concerns and recommendations based on his knowledge of his district and our region. Representative Todd Smola does not represent the community where I live, but like his predecessor Reed Hillman, both gentlemen have been open, responsive and eager to communicate with me and others on the matters that affect our region.

Senator Brewer, Representative Smola and the majority of western MA legislators have taken a sober and mature approach by not signing the pledge to support expanded gambling and a casino, specifically in western MA. There is no specific legislation on the "table" for debate.

The lack of due diligence by legislators who behave in a knee-jerk reaction to a plea from a specific group, without analyzing the full costs-benefit of a specific bill is a disservice to their constituents and themselves as elected officials. These elected officials who do not have detailed knowledge of the communities and the region most impacted by these proposals, seem pleased to cater to a special interest group as long as the facility is not in their community.

Please consider writing a Letter to the Editor in support of Senator Brewer's measured stance on the complex issue of expanding predatory gambling and slots.
letters@repub.com
lstabile@repub.com

Regards,
Kathleen Norbut
Monson
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Check out -- Octoberfest

What Are They Hiding?

When I read the release below, circulated by CCA, I was reminded of the conduct of retired Middleboro Town Manager, Jack Healey, the tyrannical Marsha Brunelle, recognized far and wide for stifling debate and squashing the democratic process, and the arrogance of the Middleboro Board of Selectmen on being challenged for not including discussion about accepting "cheap gifts" in their meeting minutes.
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Cheap Seat Revisited After The Election

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For the past few months, CCA has stood by and watched as the Town Council, which CCA fully endorsed, goes from one that promised an open and transparent government to one that is looking more like former town councils who held volunteers and commissions in contempt and used backroom meetings as a way to block the public from government.
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We have grave concerns about the motives of Town Council member Forrester Safford. It is clear he is in charge of the Town Council-- not President Marge Frank. This week, while the other town council members looked on, we witnessed firsthand a public dressing down of the Planning Commission orchestrated by Safford. His complaint: the Planning Commission is too concerned about the environment and the interest of the town as a whole. Well, CCA says what’s wrong with that? Is Safford looking for a Planning Commission to be only for the interest of his fellow builders? Isn’t that unethical? Shouldn't he recuse himself from some of these issues? Aren't there conflicts of interest here?
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We were heartened to see town council member Richard Hosp leave the meeting early, presumably because he did not want to see any more pain inflicted on the Planning Commission. Unfortunately, the disrespectful tone from Safford caused a dedicated Planning Commission member to resign—Vic Dvorak. His resignation letter said, “After meeting with the Town Council on Tuesday night it became clear to me that politics are much more important than planning in Charlestown.” Isn’t that a shame that a dedicated public servant, embarrassed by Safford who represents special interests, feels compelled to resign?
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In the past, you have depended on CCA to bring you the truth about what we observe at Town Hall. We intend to do so
as we lead up to the November 2010 elections. Safford has already tried to tamper with zoning ordinances, only to be pushed back because CCA was watching. In the coming days, we will be vigilant to educate the public on the ways that Safford is putting special interests ahead of YOUR interests. Stay tuned.
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Meanwhile, we wait to see who Marge Frank, Charlene Dunn, Gregg Avedesian and Richard Hosp propose to fill the Planning Commission vacancy. As for Safford, we surmise he will want a developer, a blatant case of self-interest. CCA will be watching all five to see what they do.
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Charlestown Citizens Alliance
PO Box 81, Charlestown, RI 02813
Website: http://charlestowncitizens.org
News: http://charlestowncitizens.org/stories.html
Community Bulletin Board: http://charlestowncitizens.org/cbb.html
Video: http://charlestowncitizens.org/video.html
Opinion: http://charlestowncitizens.org/letters.html

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When the discussion isn't open, public and transparent and fails to allow presentation of all sides of a debate, it should raise alarms.

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If a proposal can't withstand public scrutiny, along with the presentation of information such as is available here on United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, and here, it should raise questions about what's being concealed.

First Amendment and Casino Proponents

When casino investors targeted the cash strapped Town of Middleboro and purchased property that was selected in private meetings by now retired Town Manager Jack Healey and Stephen Graham as they pored over Assessors' Maps, at a poorly advertised auction, town residents attempted to speak out at public meetings.

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Marsha Brunelle, Chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen gaveled town residents to silence and prevented questions, silenced the process and imposed her own version of tyranny.

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Another town has taken that inappropriate conduct one step further --

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Judge slams Kansas town for censoring citizen

Rules ban on comments on gambling's 'social ills' violated First Amendment

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A federal judge has ruled that town officials holding a public meeting
to talk about a massive casino project proposed for their area cannot ban statements about the "social ills" of gambling if they allow discussion of the industry's benefits.

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...officials in the city of Mulvane violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ...

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And in -- Casino decision process called tainted

Lawyers say local officials simply ordered opponents silenced by police

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"The government has no right to harass and threaten citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights in public. Nevertheless, citizens who wished to express their legitimate concerns about the impact of the new casino have been threatened, silenced, and in one case, even removed from a government hearing on this important issue," said Oster.

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Proponents of predatory gambling only succeed when they can silence the facts and prevent transparent public discussions. That's why we need an impartial commission to examine the costs and impacts of gambling on the Commonwealth.

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Something like this --

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Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of slot parlors and mega-casinos.

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The legislature will perform a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and develop data-driven budgets by region that account for fiscal revenues and both operating and capital investment expenses. Benefits/revenues will result from income and property taxes, license fees, job creation, reduction of welfare rolls, and ancillary economic development for regional businesses. Costs/expenses will result from capital investment projects, infrastructure expansion and maintenance thereof; mitigation compensation to affected regional communities for issues defined in the paragraphs below; and state and regional oversight and administration expenses.

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The cost-benefit analysis will address but not be limited to costs such as the expansion of the Attorney General’s office for regulation, enforcement, investigation, prosecution, auditing; Gaming Commission personnel, equipment, operating budget, software and all consultants; gambling addiction services; state and local police and overtime; domestic violence advocates at district courts serving the regions impacted by proposed expanded gambling; expanded prison and corrections services; financial counseling; subsidized health care costs for transient workers and workers not covered by proposed expanded gambling health insurance.

Oh, Mr. Rabbit ......

When I read the Brockton Enterprise article, written by a journalist who usually thoroughly researches his topic and includes both sides, I knew that he had found Alice's Rabbit Hole and written a fairy tale.

“Some of the groundwork has already been done,” said Middleboro Selectman Muriel Duphily. “It would be to their advantage to do (a state-licensed casino) here, rather than somewhere else.”

Oh?

Mrs. Duphily is a really nice person, very talented and creative, but generally uninformed by choice. She is a single issue candidate who hasn't figured out that the groundwork that was laid never included analysing the impacts.

Mrs. Duphily believed the JOBS, JOBS, JOBS and has refused to consider little else.

Like --

Low Paying Jobs With "Racinos" or The Mad Hatter's Tea Party
.... a new study has found that facilities that provide both racing and casino activities create low-paying jobs that depress salaries in surrounding areas.

Or the issues raised by WMCAT.

In fairness, the one thing for which Selectwoman Duphily, like Selectwoman Brunelle can be credited for is the ability to make up their minds without the facts, refusing to listen to the comments of others and the stubborn refusal to do any research. Bravo!

Middleboro voters have already approved bringing a casino to the town, Duphily said.

Did they?

One might consider the BMG entry, but instead of reading any lengthy newspaper article or blog entry, allow my reassurances that NO! MIDDLEBORO VOTERS DID NO SUCH THING!

The journalist and the Brockton Enterprise provide a disservice to report that comment without correction.

Middleboro voters were rushed to accept a deal AFTER land had been sold cheaply, at a poorly advertised auction, knowing that casino investors were interested in the location.

Middleboro voters were told that if they didn't accept the Agreement with the convicted rapist and felon, they would get a casino and no $$$$.

Middleboro voters voted on an AGREEMENT WITH THE MASHPEE TRIBE.

And, Mimi Dear, you just might want to consider the results of the opinion question that asked voters if they wanted a casino. That was the little noticed Question 3 wasn't it? Wasn't the vote unanimous?

Since everyone seems confused about the vote that was NOT 2/3, unanimous is unanimous isn't it?

Such an approval would likely be required for any casino under state legislation, said Clyde Barrow, a UMass-Dartmouth gambling researcher.

And who would expect a media report without an uninformed comment from our resident casino shill?

Footnote to casino supporters: In case you haven't figured it out and are salivating for the provisions in the poor Agreement negotiated with the Tribe, you don't have one with the commercial developers. Those developers have filed in federal bankruptcy court and are asking for what they want. They'll get it! It will include 24/7 gambling which Lincoln, RI voters opposed, and they will dump greyhound racing. They have more money than some piddly little town like Middleboro. They WILL get what they want.