Paul Burns' Vengeance?

Paul Burns' intent is unclear. Are his feelings hurt simply because he couldn't profit from the Casino Vultures?

 

The Town of Palmer appointed a Citizens' Casino Study Committee that determined the ANNUAL cost to host Mohegan Sun would be:

$18 MILLION to $39 MILLION

not including the estimated $50 MILLION to bring water from the Quabbin.

Paul Burns prevented that report from becoming public and refused to protect his community. Voters made that clear!

Let's not pretend!

The entire Casino Industry employs whatever tactics to recover their 'FREE LOANS.'

The Business Model of the Casino Industry depends on created NEW Gamblers and creating NEW Gambling Addicts. Local LOW ROLLERS will support Suffolk Downs/Mohegan Sun's Folly. No 'high rollers' will venture forth. The Surrounding Communities will bear the burden as discretionary income is sucked from families.

http://middlebororemembers.blogspot.com/search?q=watanabe

It's time to REPEAL THE CASINO DEAL!

....given Mohegan's history with making questionable loans to vulnerable seniors and then trying to seize their property ( and unusual practice in the industry) should anyone vote in favor or Mohegan for any license anywhere in Mass?

Press Release: Mohegan Sun predatory practices

Contact: Paul Burns Palmer Town Councilor ...

Date: 2-12-2014

For Immediate Release

Recent media reports that Mohegan Sun loaned more than $36,000.00 to an 80 year old retiree with income of only $640.00 a month are mind boggling. Worse still are reports that Mohegan Sun then had a lien placed on his property including interest and fees of more than $5,100.00, an amount equal to two thirds of this gentlemen’s annual income. 

 Had this information been available to me during the time they were in Palmer I would not have supported their application in any way. Loaning $36,000.00 to someone who’s income was far below the poverty level guarantees that Mohegan Sun knew there was no way to collect on that debt short of taking his property.

 

THE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO CONDUCTED THEIR DUE DILIGENCE!

 I strongly support Attorney General Coakley’s proposal to make this practice illegal. While this is clearly not the practice for most casino operators Mohegan Sun has demonstrated beyond a doubt that they can and will use tactics that amount to bullying to pad their bottom line. I urge the House and Senate to act quickly to ensure that such legislation is passed to prevent companies like Mohegan Sun from employing such underhanded practices here in Massachusetts.

 Until such legislation is passed, I urge the Gaming Commission to require all applicants to commit to ensuring that they will lend only to credit worthy applicants and will never place liens on a person’s primary residence. While it is clear that few in the gaming industry use such aggressive tactics that fact that any do begs the question as to their suitability for a gaming license. The voters of Revere should consider this bad behavior when voting on Mohegan Sun’s agreement. Mohegan Sun has a clear history of predatory practices; to assume that they will be different here in Massachusetts would be silly.

 

 

Paul Burns' Palmer Bucket Brigade

Palmer appointed a Citizens Casino Study Committee to assess the costs of hosting Mohegan Sun.

When the CITIZENS, residents of the community determined that the costs would be CONSERVATIVELY + $18 MILLION, not including the estimated $50 MILLION to bring water from the Quabbin, Paul Burns prevented that report from being publicly discussed.

The final host community agreement [HCA] doesn't address water, doesn't address traffic and much else.

The 'FLYOVER' initially promised to prevent traffic from grid-locking the community was not  approved before the PROMISES were made.

Paul Burns revealed his failures to protect Palmer. Palmer voters were wise in defeating this FOLLY!

Mohegan Sun revealed their phony promises Palmer.

Will Revere voters reject the charade as well? 

What's Mohegan Sun's Non-Casino Plan for Palmer?

Keywords:

• New England Public Radio News

Date:

01/23/2014

Contributor:

Sam Hudzik

Listen to Sam Hudzik's story

Download:

Listen to Sam Hudzik's story

 

There's still no word from Mohegan Sun on what the casino company plans to do with land it leased in Palmer, Massachusetts. The town's voters rejected a casino referendum in November, and Mohegan is now bidding to build a resort in Revere.

After giving a big presentation Wednesday to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission about Mohegan Sun's casino proposal for Suffolk Downs, the company's CEO Mitchell Etess was in no mood to talk a possible non-casino development in Palmer.

"We think it's a great location and we hope that we can do something there. But honestly you have to - in business - you need to kind of prioritize things," Etess said.

That answer did not impress or surprise Paul Burns, a town councilor in Palmer who supported the casino there but has been very critical of Mohegan Sun's actions since the vote. Burns says Mohegan Sun is a large corporation capable of multitasking.

"I understand that they're in the middle of a competition for a casino license in eastern Mass now, but I don't think it's too much to ask that Mohegan Sun commit to...maybe building a mall or whatever other project that they have planned for the area."

And Burns says if Mohegan won't commit to developing the land, he wants them to step aside so someone else can.

http://nepr.net/news/whats-mohegan-suns-non-casino-plan-palmer

 

Paul Burns makes fool of himself....again! Palmer, Ya Gotta Problem!

A Palmer Citizens Casino Study Committee was appointed to determine the costs of hosting Mohegan Sun.
  

Paul Burns silenced the report that determined the ANNUAL cost would be

 

$18 MILLION to $39 MILLION

 
 
not including the
 

$50 MILLION to bring water from the Quabbin

Palmer lacks the water to provide for the Mohegan Sun proposal.
 
Now, Paul Burns is calling for TRANSPARENCY?

There's that pesky little FLYOVER that never happened.....

Palmer town councilor sends warning letter to Mass. Gaming Commission

Posted: Nov 27, 2013

By Bill Rapp

CBS 3 Springfield - WSHM

PALMER, MA (WSHM) - A town councilor in Palmer sent a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Monday warning them that Mohegan Sun could not be trusted.

The letter from Paul Burns comes after allegations last week that Mohegan had been in talks with Suffolk Downs about a project there prior to the referendum vote on Nov. 5. Mohegan tribal chairman, Kevin Brown released a statement in response to allegations by Burns, "We find the patently false accusation of Councilor Burns that we were talking to any other parties in Massachusetts before the referendum to be completely inappropriate and hurtful given the hard work of the Mohegan Sun Massachusetts team up to, and importantly, AFTER the referendum. Mohegan Sun and our team in Palmer worked tirelessly over the past five years to bring a world class facility to Palmer and the Commonwealth, invested millions of dollars into this effort, and engaged in a highly transparent process of explaining our project to the community. Despite the long odds that a recount might bring a different result, we have deliberately stayed the course awaiting the outcome. This change in tenor from an elected leader in Palmer is of great concern to us."

Brown announced Wednesday that Mohegan had signed a deal with Suffolk Downs that morning. A recount for the host agreement in Palmer was completed Tuesday afternoon. Burns called the ability to get a new agreement done with Suffolk Downs a "miracle". He said it took them 11 months to get an agreement, but seemingly less than 24 hours to make an agreement in another community.

Brown said the next step was to complete a development plan to give to the gaming commission by the Dec. 31 deadline.

There is still 152 acres of land in Palmer that Mohegan Sun said they wanted to use for a non-gaming commercial venture since they wouldn't be building a casino there. Burns said he firmly believed Mohegan Sun was trying to block potential competitors by taking a prime piece of real estate.

Burns said he would welcome a development plan by Mohegan Sun, but it would have to be done quickly if they wanted any credibility with the community. He said it would take tens of millions of dollars just for infrastructure improvements on the property. Burns also stated the company can't just put a strip mall on the property. Any development would have to be sizeable. He said he would not be opposed to a plan by Mohegan Sun as long as the process was sincere and transparent. Any plan would still have to go through the planning and zoning approval process.

http://www.cbs3springfield.com/story/24087911/palmer-town-councilor-sends-warning-letter-to-mass-gaming-commission

 

Mohegan Sun: The Answer is still NO!

You rock, Palmer!

By Lori Stabile, The RepublicanThe Republican
on November 26, 2013

PALMER -- Tuesday's recount for Mohegan Sun's resort casino proposal reaffirmed the Nov. 5 vote defeated the prospect of a Palmer gaming resort.

Only one vote changed. The vote was 2,657 no to 2,563 yes, a 94-vote difference.

The Board of Registrars met at 9 a.m. today to start the recount. The previous vote was 2,657 against the casino to 2,564 for it - a 93 vote loss.

After the opening of the meeting, Town Clerk Susan Coache went with Palmer Police officer Brian P. McNally and Detective Sgt. Scott E. Haley to the Town Building to retrieve the ballots, and bring them back to the library to be hand counted. The 5,221 ballots were brought inside in four large, black, locked boxes.

Four tables were set up for the counting, and were cordoned off with yellow caution tape.

Sitting outside the cordoned off area were casino supporters and members of the anti-casino group, as well as members of the media. Inside the counting area, the two groups could have representatives watch the proceedings, and they could challenge ballots if they wished.

By 10:45 a.m., there already had been several challenges regarding ballots, which put a halt to the counting process. Challenged ballots were brought to the registrars for review. The registrars were sitting at a table in the cordoned off area.

The counters were counting the ballots in blocks of 50. Finance Director John Kuzmiski was there to do the final tally.

Town lawyer Charles F. Ksieniewicz explained at the onset of the recount that the ballots would be brought to the tables one block at a time, and asked the spectators to be quiet. At 11 a.m., he said that in the interest of time, he would let counting continue at the other tables if a challenge occurred.

Mohegan Sun, of Connecticut, wanted to build a billion-dollar casino for Thorndike Street (Route 32), overlooking the Massachusetts Turnpike interchange. After the defeat on Nov. 5, Mohegan's chief executive said he would seek a recount.

Problems with a precinct 2 voting machine and potential voter irregularities were some of the concerns cited by Mohegan representatives regarding the election and the need for a recount.


http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/11/mohegan_sun_casino_recount_res.html

 

Mohegan Sun, Palmer Abuzz.....

Mohegan Sun, owner of Palmer site at odds
By Brian HallenbeckPublication: The Day

Published 11/22/2013

 

Proposed casino site now in dispute

Mohegan Sun has terminated its "exclusivity agreement" with the owner of the Palmer, Mass., land where it hoped to develop a $1 billion resort casino, freeing it to negotiate with potential partners in other casino projects elsewhere in the Bay State.

At the same time, Mohegan Sun's lease of the 152-acre site "remains in full force and effect," the Connecticut casino asserted this week in a letter to Northeast Realty Associates.

Northeast objected to the casino's claims, saying the Mohegans' continued lease of the land would prevent Northeast from making it available to any other developer.

"They want to negotiate with someone else but tie up the land in Palmer," Paul Robbins, a Northeast spokesman, said. "It's like having your cake and eating it, too."

Northeast said it had referred Mohegan's notice to legal counsel.

The Palmer casino proposal was narrowly defeated in a Nov. 5 referendum, prompting a recount of votes set for Tuesday.

"It is unfortunate that Mohegan Sun is abandoning the people of Palmer just days before the recount … so that it can continue to negotiate a possible deal in another locale in Massachusetts," Northeast said. "Mohegan's pursuit of a license in the Eastern Massachusetts zone is at odds with their long-held position that Palmer represents the best location for a resort casino in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It also violated the exclusivity agreement between the parties."

Earlier this week, Palmer Town Councilor Paul Burns questioned whether Mohegan Sun had talked to other parties in Massachusetts prior to the referendum. Kevin Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, responded in a statement, calling Burns' claims "patently false."

"Mohegan Sun and our team in Palmer worked tirelessly over the past five years to bring a world class facility to Palmer and the Commonwealth, invested millions of dollars into this effort, and engaged in a highly transparent process of explaining our project to the community," Brown said.

"Despite the long odds that a recount might bring a different result, we have deliberately stayed the course awaiting the outcome."


http://www.theday.com/article/20131122/BIZ02/311229925/1044


Mohegans considering non-gaming development in Palmer
By Brian HallenbeckPublication: theday.com

Published 11/22/2013

 

Mohegan Sun will consider a non-gaming development at the 152-acre site in Palmer, Mass., where it had hoped to develop a $1 billion resort casino, the gaming operator’s top executive said Friday.
“As far as Palmer goes, we’ve invested almost $25 million in the whole process, a lot of it involving the land,” Mitchell Etess, the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority’s chief executive officer, said Friday. “Millions and millions has gone to the landlord. … We believe it’s a good site for development.”
Mohegan Sun signed a 99-year lease on the property in 2008.
Voters in Palmer rejected the casino proposal by 93 votes in a Nov. 5 referendum. A recount sought by Mohegan Sun and supporters of the project is scheduled for Tuesday. It is not expected to change the referendum outcome.
The Mohegan Sun Massachusetts plan included a 70,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor water park, two hotels and 300,000 square feet of retail development. Presumably, those portions of the project still could be pursued at the site, though Etess declined to discuss what the Mohegan Tribe has in mind.
“We could develop something other than gaming there,” Etess said. “It depends. We’ll have to take some time to assess what’s possible. … Everyone in Palmer liked the water park idea.”
Mohegan Sun has informed Northeast Realty Group, the owner of the property, that it was terminating its “exclusivity agreement” with Northeast, freeing the casino operator to negotiate with potential partners involved in other casino projects in Massachusetts.
Mohegan Sun has been in talks with owners of Suffolk Downs, the Boston-area race track hoping to propose a project in Revere.
Northeast Realty is free to pursue another developer of the Palmer site, Etess said, even though Mohegan Sun continues to lease it.
“They’d just have to go through us,” he said of anyone interested in the property.

http://www.theday.com/article/20131122/BIZ02/131129881/1047


Palmer Residents React to Mohegan Sun's Possibly Leaving Town abc40

(PALMER, Mass.) (WGGB)–Mohegan Sun wants out of its exclusive agreement with the town of Palmer to building a casino. Mohegan Sun had big plans for the ...

 

Northeast Realty: Mohegan Sun wants to break exclusive casino ... MassLive.com

PALMER - Mohegan Sun wants to end its exclusive casino agreement with Northeast Realty but continue to lease the 152 acres on Thorndike Street (Route 32), ...

 

Mohegan Sun seeks end to Palmer deal GazetteNET

In an earlier statement, Mohegan Sun rebutted suggestions by Palmer casino supporters that it had negotiated with Suffolk Down prior to the Nov. 5 referendum.

 

Mohegan Sun Addresses Future Plans for Palmer Site abc40

PALMER, Mass. (WGGB) — While they may not build a casino in Palmer, Mohegan Sun has announced their plans for the land on which they currently hold a ...

 

Mohegan Sun seeks break of exclusivity in Palmer WSHM-TV

While Etess did not confirm Mohegan is pursuing a casino in the eastern part of the state, he said they are seeking a break in their exclusivity in Palmer, without ...

 

Mohegan Sun looks for non-gaming development in Palmer WSHM-TV

Mohegan Sun announced it'll explore non-gaming projects at the site it has leased in Palmer. Suffolk Downs race track near Boston says it has been in contact ...

 

Mohegan seeks to end Palmer agreement, keep land WWLP 22News

Northeast Realty Associates, owner of the 152 acre parcel in Palmer and site of Mohegan Sun's proposed resort casino, today issued a statement as a result of ...

 

Mass. Gov. says casino law working as it should Businessweek

The vote came on the heels of rejections of proposed casinos earlier this month by voters in East Boston and Palmer, and in September by West Springfield ...

 

 

Palmer Sore Losers Demand Recount!

BUT, BUT, BUT.....we schmoozed, stroked egos, kissed butts, gave you FREE FOOD.....How can you VOTE NO?

POOR MOHEGAN SUN! Anxious to suck discretionary income from the PALMER LOCALS  to support their debt in Connecticut can't understand HOW...WHY voters didn't LOVE THEM after spending MILLIONS to be LOVED!

 

'So what we don't have any WATER!

So what we don't have a flyover!

All of the local media was in LOVE WITH US! Palmer voters just don't 'get it'!
What's not to love about low wage jobs, insurmountable traffic jams, Gambling Addiction like you've never seen before.....We PROMISED you EVERYTHING!' 

Supporters for a recount on the Mohegan Sun Massachusetts casino project have filed signatures with the town clerk


http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/11/supporters_for_a_recount_on_th.html

 

 

 

 
Has any single journalist asked about 'Citizens for Jobs & Growth'?
Where's the $$$ coming from?
Are they are registered PAC?
Where is their reporting of $$$?

This is what happens when journalists and the media become Gambling Cheerleaders and ignore their responsibilities and violations of the LAWS!

 

When Will Palmer File An Ethics Complaint?

Matthew Parent

Please watch the video accompanying the article. Councilman Burns's endorsement for the casino is done INSIDE Converse Middle School. I really hope that wasn't spoken during voting hours today, or that would be an obvious breach of the limit of 150 feet for promotion on the issue.

Losing Pioneer Valley Forever

Andrea Emmershy

In 1927, our legislators passed an act that would change the Swift River Valley forever. By 1946, the towns of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott were distant memories. The way of life for the thousands of citizens of those communities was ripped out from under them when the Quabbin Reservoir was built. Businesses closed and families were torn apart as members were forced to move away from their ancestral homes.

Our leaders in Boston are again looking to western Massachusetts to solve the state’s problems.

In 2011, our legislators passed a bill that will change the Pioneer Valley forever. Only instead of our towns being encased in water, we will be flooded with cars, crime, and broken promises.

Look at a map of Massachusetts and you see a large void in the middle of the state where once there was a sleepy hamlet. If casinos are allowed in, fast-forward seven years, which is the amount of time it took to flood the valley and what will you see, a large void where Palmer used to be. Businesses will have closed; homes will be foreclosed on, families that lived here for generations will have moved on. Palmer will be unrecognizable.

As has played out in cities and towns across the country which have invited casinos into their midst ,there is an increase in crime, a drain on the school systems, an increased need for social services to combat domestic abuse, alcoholism and gambling addictions and a decrease in property values*.

As I listen to our town officials discuss the host agreement, I have to ask, where is my agreement? As a homeowner and taxpayer, where is my guarantee that my home value is going to remain solid? Where is my guarantee that my car and home insurance won’t increase with the rise in accidents and crime in the area? Where is my guarantee that my taxes will decrease? Where is my guarantee that I’ll be able to move freely through town? Where is my guarantee that I will feel safe in my community? Where is my guarantee that our children will not be negatively impacted?

Our town officials can’t guarantee those things for us, yet they feel comfortable supporting Mohegan Sun’s proposal with their promises.

Residents who are on the fence about the vote continually mention the $16 million the town is to receive as incentive to vote yes. Whether it’s $8 million, $16 million, or $26 million. How do you put a price on quality of life?

The residents of Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott did not have a say in their future. Their fight was barely a whisper. 

 The citizens of Palmer do have a voice.

 Vote NO on November 5th

 Don’t be dazzled by the bells and whistles the casino is flashing in front of us.

The City Manager of Central City, one of the cities with legalized gambling was quoted as saying: "I'd tell anyone who was thinking of opening their community to casino gambling to have his head examined."16

For our neighbors in Monson, Warren, Brimfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Belchertown, and Ware please visit the Massachusetts Gaming Commission site to voice your concerns:
http://massgaming.com/news-events/requests-for-public-comments/

Join Repeal the Dean and project our state. http://www.repealthecasinodeal.org/


*sources: srpedd.org;Casino Impact on the Town of Ledyard 2001, Seneca Niagara Casino
Fiscal & Economic Impact On Niagara Falls, NY, June 2005
Gambling in California, by Roger Dunston; Economic Impacts of Gambling, library.ca.gov

QVAC: SIGNS AVAILABLE! + STAND OUTS!

For anyone in Palmer - we have a new supply of lawn signs. Pick yours up at our headquarters. Someone will be there tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday from 10am-1pm and from 4-6pm.

If your sign has been stolen, please report it to the police, even if you don't have a description of the car. What counts is the number of signs.

There will be a major standout on Friday. The rain is supposed to clear out in the morning. Come to our headquarters at 4pm to get your sign and "marching orders." Ask anyone who's done this - it's really uplifting to hear all the horns and see the thumbs-up.

 

 

 

 

Palmer Against Casinos

Tim KirkPalmer Against Casinos

PALMER - Quaboag Valley Against Casinos has opened an office at 1009 Central St. in Palmer and will hold its open house Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The public is invited; refreshments will be served. Volunteers will be available to talk with visitors about casinos and about the host community agreement that Mohegan Sun recently signed with the town of Palmer.

The headquarters will be open on a regular schedule, Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday, 4 to 6 p.m....

Iris L. Cardin, co-chairwoman of Quaboag Valley Against Casinos, said she also will be at the headquarters with her husband Daniel starting next week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On Friday, starting at 3:45 p.m., the group will meet at the headquarters, then proceed to locations in town where members plan to hold anti-casino signs.

The group is ramping up its anti-casino message as the Nov. 5 vote on Mohegan Sun nears. Mohegan Sun wants to build a resort casino across from the Massachusetts Turnpike exit on Thorndike Street (Route 32).

 

 

Iris Cardin Actually, we`ll be there from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.