Casino backers mount offensive
Firefighters offer support for project
Middleborough firefighters are joining the town's police in supporting a casino resort in town, as a campaign to boost the controversial proposal heats up.
Firefighter and union president James Wiksten said union members have directed their executive board to draft a letter to town officials in support of a casino in Middleborough and "to do whatever it takes to put our support behind this."
The town's two police unions earlier declared their support for a casino sponsored by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.
Before the selectmen's meeting Monday, about 100 casino backers rallied in the Town Hall parking lot, wearing colorful feathers as a sign of welcome to the Wampanoags. They chanted "Support the Resort" and carried placards declaring "The Time to Sign is Now," "Support the Tribe's Agreement," and "Save Middleborough." Casino advocates circulated a petition in favor of the project, and Wiksten became one of about 75 people who had signed it by evening's end.
Inside, at the meeting, selectmen read a letter from the town's attorney, Daniel Murray, that said Town Meeting voters must approve all "terms and conditions" in any agreement with the Wampanoags before the deal can be finalized. Selectmen are working to set a date for a Special Town Meeting, which could draw the bulk of the town's 13,000 voters.
Attorney Dennis Whittlesey, a gaming expert working on a draft agreement between the Wampanoag tribe and the town, predicted last week that it would take about four weeks for that document to be ready.
Meanwhile, the public can expect to see more evidence of casino support, from "Honk for a Casino" signs at the Middleborough rotary to high-profile demonstrations in public places, according to casino advocates.
Among those coming out to support construction of a casino and luxury resort off Precinct Street was Victoria Bond, the wife of Selectman Adam Bond.
"My initial reaction to this was a negative one," Victoria Bond said. "But the more I learned about the project, and the more I learned about the financial reality of the town, the more I felt, if we can get a good deal, I would be in favor of it."
Bond said that, until now, the anti casino faction has been the only side effectively getting its message out, and that bothered her.
"We were waiting to see what was being offered," she said. "But with the frenzy that's been developing on the other side, I felt I needed to do something. I want the potential, at least, to be investigated."
Bond and other supporters have dubbed themselves Many Voices of Middleborough. The group is working with another pro-casino group called Casino-Friend.com.
"To call this project a casino is too belittling," Bond said. "It's a hot button that can carry a large amount of fear. This is a five-star resort, with a world-class theater and world-class performers, spa treatments, high-end shopping, and superior dining."
Hal Brown, a founding member of Casino-Friend.com, said he went to the selectmen's information meeting on the casino last month without a strong opinion, but left in favor of the Mashpee Wampanoag-run casino. "I listened to Glenn Marshall" -- the Wampanoag chairman -- "and said this is a good thing. It will get the town out of debt."
Supporter Cheryl Kutzy -- a teacher in town for 32 years who watched the school system shrink due to lack of funds -- said a casino would help support town services.
"The failed override [on June 2] showed the people don't want to pay more taxes," said Kutzy, whose family owns 202 acres abutting the casino site, and has already had some discussions with Wampanoag representatives about selling land to the tribe.
"This will give the town the money to provide the services that we, as residents, need," agreed resident Tony Belmont. "It's going to be right off the highway. There's no reason not to be in favor of it."
Diane Bassett , who has lived in Middleborough for 33 years, said money from the casino could provide the town with a top-notch school system, police, and fire department.
"I know change is difficult to accept, but the world has been evolving since creation," Bassett said.
Gary Darman, owner of the local Oak Point retirement community of 800 manufactured homes, attended Monday's rally. He believes most Oak Pointers are in favor of the casino project and will most likely participate in the Town Meeting vote on an agreement.
Both sides claim they will prevail when that vote is taken.
Christine Wallgren can be reached at CLWallgren@aol.com. 