An article appearing in the Boston Sunday Globe ("Patrick's stance irks some in town," Feb. 10) captured the displeasure of Middleborough Selectman Wayne Perkins and Casino Study Committee chairman Brian Giovanoni with the governor's position on the proposed Wampanoag casino. They seem to feel that the governor has an obligation to support whatever the tribe wants. At this time, the only group that is actually legally bound to carry water for the tribe and its investors is the elected and appointed officials of the Town of Middleborough.
The article stated that "...the town supports the casino plan." That is a statement that cannot and should not be made with a straight face. Town Meeting voted to support having an agreement in place in case the casino project was, in fact, inevitable. On the question of whether or not they approved of a casino in Middleborough, the voters, at the same meeting, voted no! Let me say that again: The only vote taken so far on whether or not to have a casino in Middleborough resulted in a vote against.
If one can summarize the position of the townspeople based up a Town Meeting vote - and it was the largest Town Meeting ever - then one could accurately say that the people of Middleborough oppose a casino, but favor having an agreement to mitigate the damage caused by one if it cannot be stopped. Until a broad-based referendum is held, it would be inaccurate at best and deceptive at worst to continue to argue that Middleborough supports the casino.
Robert M. Desrosiers
Middleborough
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