Police unions support having a casino in town
News that a state-chosen private developer, rather than the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, could be first to open a casino in Massachusetts is drawing a mixed reaction in Middleborough. But it is not stopping advocates from pressing their case for the town as the chosen site.
The Middleborough police officers' union hand-delivered a letter to tribe chairman Glenn Marshall last week, saying union members were unanimously in favor of a casino in town. The targeted location, on a large and undeveloped tract, would not mar the rural quality of the town, according to the letter, and the land's remote location would keep the "unsavory, transient, criminal element" from easy access.
In closing, it said, "We believe that there is a large, silent majority that would stand behind us in wel coming you back to our community."
Union president Dennis Amaral said the Middleborough Police Superior Officers' Union is also in favor of a casino in town, and recently submitted its own letter to that effect to selectmen. "The chief is backing us, too," he said.
Casino-generated revenue would help bolster next year's sagging public safety budgets, which are contingent on an override scheduled to be voted on Saturday, he said.
"We're short-handed and the DPW is short-handed, too. The Fire Department sometimes has to leave the north or south fire stations unmanned. We're not in charge of the budget, but do we think we would all see an increase in manpower if there was a casino? Yes."
Selectmen in Middleborough have promoted the idea of a tribe-sponsored casino and resort in town, and the Wampanoags already have secured about 330 acres as a first step in that direction. A week ago, tribe representatives attended a public forum in Middleborough, outlining some details of a proposed casino in town by 2010. While the tribe has not tipped its hand as to where the casino ultimately would be built, Middleborough and New Bedford are current front-runners.
Although the casino idea remains controversial in town -- foes warn of a host of social ills and traffic problems -- backers seem to be growing in numbers as they step up their efforts.
Casino supporters Helen Belmont, Hal Brown, and Joseph Freitas have set up a pro casino website at casino-friend.com to, they say, balance the casino opponents' site at casinofacts.org. "We think we look at it more objectively," Brown said. "We address the negatives. We have no affiliation with the tribe or funds from the tribe."
The police union's show of support came as state Treasurer Timothy Cahill last week unveiled a proposal to have the state bid out the rights to build luxury gambling resorts to private developers, rather than let the newly recognized Wampanoag tribe move ahead alone in the venture. A state-sponsored development deal could bring the state more money, he said, and proceeds would be distributed statewide, as lottery revenue is now.
Some Middleborough residents said last week they believe there is room for more than one player in the gaming industry in Massachusetts, while others lamented Cahill's proposal.
Town Manager John Healey, a vocal proponent for the Middleborough location, doubted whether a state-sponsored operation would adversely impact the Wampanoags' plan for a casino and resort somewhere in the region.
"I think the state treasurer is motivated by trying to get a bigger share of the pot, and I can't fault him for that," Healey said. "And if the state isn't interested in getting 25 percent from the tribe, then that will leave more for us. I think it would open the door for the town to be able to negotiate a bigger amount in lieu of taxes."
But Middleborough Selectman Adam Bond was less accepting of Cahill's plan. "I don't know if it's bluster, or if it's real," he said. "We have a hard time getting them to distribute lottery monies now. Are these going to be held up as well? To me, the proposal is odd and fraught with peril. I don't have any confidence the state would be the best steward of a casino. If the state ran a casino the way they've run other things, like the Big Dig, I would be fearful for the future of Massachusetts."
Before the tribe can open a casino, it must not only put land in a federal trust, but it must also convince the state to approve casino gambling in the state, and grant it a Class 3 casino license. In exchange, the tribe would agree to pay the state a cut of the money it makes. Such a license, not currently offered in Massachusetts, would allow for a level of gambling similar to the big and successful casinos in Connecticut, which, in lieu of taxes, gets 25 percent of the yearly amount made from the slot machines from the two Indian-sponsored casinos there.
But Cahill thinks the state could get more money -- maybe as much as $1 billion -- if it let a private developer build a casino and then collected annual gaming taxes and other revenue from it.
Wampanoag spokesman Scott Ferson said the Mashpee Wampanoag are not fretting over Cahill's proposal.
"I don't think the tribe has approached this that it's an effort to keep everyone out of the industry," Ferson said. "There's nothing wrong with the treasurer, the governor, or the Legislature saying they want the best deal for the state. With that said, if the state does this, the tribe gets to build a casino by right" -- since the state would already have approved casino gambling for the private developer. That, said Ferson, would spare the tribe what were expected to be expensive negotiations.
Bond said the support from police for a casino in Middleborough is huge. "The police are saying, 'We're the crimefighters and we don't have a problem exploring this deal.'
"Do I feel townspeople are in favor of a casino? I feel they are pro exploring a deal that's been placed on our doorstep. They are saying: 'Look, the town is in dire straits. Let's explore this.' People need to stop braying like mules here and get down to brass tacks. Let's talk specifics."
Christine Wallgren can be reached at CLWallgren@aol.com. 
