Sen. Jehlen plans no vote on casinos

Sen. Jehlen plans no vote on casinos
By Evan MacDonald/winchester@wickedlocal.com
Wicked Local Winchester


Winchester, MA — Next week, the Massachusetts State Senate is expected to take up a bill that would bring three casinos and a slot parlor to the state. When the time comes, State Sen. Patricia Jehlen plans to vote against the measure.

Jehlen, whose district includes Winchester, Medford, and parts of Woburn and Somerville, said she doesn’t think casinos would be beneficial to Massachusetts.

One of the proposed locations for a casino is Suffolk Downs in East Boston, which is only about five miles from the border of Jehlen’s district. She’s worried that the areas around a casino could see an increase in crime and traffic, and that local businesses would suffer a loss in revenue.

“There’s no new money here,” she said. “People are just going to stop spending in one place, and start spending at the casinos.”

She feels the state legislature should be concentrating its efforts elsewhere.

“There’s not a need for more gambling, there’s a need for more jobs,” she said. “That’s where our energy should be going.”

Proponents of the bill, which was approved by the state’s House of Representatives Sept. 15, have argued that it could create more than 15,000 new jobs, many in the construction industry.

“Those 15,000 new jobs would be good, but how many local jobs will be cut or eliminated?” Jehlen said. “That’s never been established.”

Jehlen said any additional revenue a casino brought in would be lost in other areas, such as increase in spending for crime prevention.

“It’s a very strange thing to bring in an industry that requires so much mitigation,” she said. “And the more you spend to mitigate, the less you get in benefit.”

Jehlen said gambling revenues are heavily dependent on the economy. She pointed to the fact that the unemployment rates in Nevada are among the highest in the country.

“Massachusetts has maintained its economic stability better than almost any other state through this recession,” she said. “We’ve done better than most because we have some stable and growing sectors. I think we would want to invest, and encourage development, in things that are sustainable, rather than cyclical.”

Our Legislators Must Know Something...

...that State Senator Jehlen of Somerville doesn't.

Our legislators must be privy to information that the good Senator just hasn't been made aware of yet. Well, I've copied the uninformed Senator and I am going to try my best to convince her and those of you who still simply don't trust the casino industry that her concerns and yours are totally unfounded and baseless.

Dear Senator Jehlen,

I recently read your newsletter with disbelief (read full text here). How is it that someone with your background and education can be swayed by independent economic research on the costs and benefits of expanded gambling into believing that the costs might outweigh the benefits? Haven't you heard that there is absolutely no way to divine the costs until we pass the legislation and figure out where to build the casinos? The benefits on the other hand are much easier to calculate: $400 million in revenue minus $148 million the lottery will lose and minus whatever it's going to cost for that huge new bureaucracy. Besides Chip Tuttle, COO of Suffolk Downs has beautiful pictures of the new casino that you really must see before you jump to any conclusions.

Senator, can we really trust the Boston Business Journal to speak on behalf of the rest of the businesses in the area? I mean they don't really know what they're talking about do they? Besides, didn't you know that Suffolk Downs has been open for 75 years and there's already gambling there? You really need to drop by and see the plans.

Pat, can I call you Pat? Pat, just because the CEO of the American Gaming Association doesn't want a casino in his neighborhood is no reason for you to whine about it. Surely you can come up with something more convincing than that. Has Chip called yet? I'm sure he'll want to show you the renderings.

Senator, people do go to Connecticut already. You can't argue that, can you? Don't you see all those busloads of people heading down the Mass Pike and the cars in the parking lots with the Massachusetts plates? Doesn't it make sense to put a casino on the Blue Line? That way everyone who can't afford those expensive bus trips or their own car, you know the people who might need government assistance already, can get to the casino? You should talk to Mr. Fields of Coastal Development; he's a really nice guy and he would never want anyone to suffer on account of his business.

Senator, you folks at the State House have made it so hard for the rest of us to smoke in peace. As you know times are tough and drinking helps us forget our problems so why shouldn't the casinos give us a break on our liquor bills? If we can smoke and drink more cheaply at the casino, we won't need to go to any of those other places where we need to go outside to smoke. Did you know if one of those restaurants like Jeveli's, Floramo's or Maggio's gave me a free drink, they could be lose their license? Not so at the casinos! I hear that the landscaping is going to be fabulous and they're going to give new plants to the people on Waldemar Ave. to mitigate the negative impact. Maybe you should ask Chip for some plants? Would that make you feel better about the drinking and smoking?

You know, Senator, I spoke to the Mayor of Ledyard, CT, where Foxwoods is, and he is quite happy with the casino in his town. He had this to say:

"There has been no economic development spin-off from the casino. Businesses do not come here...Tourists come mainly to gamble. Gamblers have one thing in mind: get to the casino, win or lose their money, get in their cars, and go home."

Hmmm, maybe he didn't have enough to drink that day.

Listen , Senator you just don't get it. Who needs an independent cost benefit analysis anyway. I am putting my trust in Chip Tuttle and the casino industry. After all they've had 37 other states to practice in and they are finally going to "do it right" here in Massachusetts.

Regards,

John Ribeiro
www.NeighborsOfSuffolkDowns.org

P.S. Neighbors, please read Senator Jehlen's newsletter and call or email our legislators and tell them you will hold them accountable for their vote. Remind them that they represent us and that they are not serving our best interests. They simply haven't done their homework.



As more people question Predatory Gambling, the community degradation caused by SLOT BARNS, the increased crime, children left in hot vehicles in the summer sun, opposition is growing.


Contact the Governor, your State Representative and Senator, then

Join us by adding your name to the mailings lists on this very important issue:

United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts
Neighbors of Suffolk Downs
Stop Predatory Gambling


Gambling is extremely profitable and the Industry has paid their lobbyists well.
Their suits cost more than my entire wardrobe (tee shirts don't cost much).

We are all grassroots volunteers who pay for gas, parking, computer time and paper out of our own pockets. Consider making a contribution to our efforts. Consider joining us. It's your community after all.

GAMBLING FORUM OCTOBER 15

State Senator Pat Jehlen has offered the following --

The debate on expanded gambling in Massachusetts is heating up, with hearings scheduled this month, and a vote likely early next year. One of the first public discussions this session will be held on Thursday, October 15.


I'm inviting you to a debate on the issue on Thursday October 15 from 7:00 – 9:00 at Century Bank, 400 Mystic Avenue in Medford. The forum will feature speakers representing both sides of the gambling debate.


Senator Sue Tucker represents the City of Lawrence and the towns of Andover, Dracut, and Tewksbury. In 1996, Sen. Tucker organized a statewide coalition against casinos in Massachusetts. Now she is working with business, political, and the religious communities to build a diverse coalition to defeat any proposal for expansion.


Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein represents Revere, Chelsea and Saugus. She has long been a proponent of expanded gaming, believing that it is an economic growth opportunity not only in her native region, but also throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Senator Tucker and Representative Reinstein will present arguments for and against casinos and other forms of expanded gambling in Massachusetts. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions and to express their own opinions. Light refreshments will be served.

Please come -- and invite your friends for an exciting and stimulating conversation on a topic that will affect us all.

Century Bank on Mystic Avenue is easily accessible from Somerville and Medford. From Winchester and Woburn, take exit 30 off Route 93.