Dear Governor Patrick:
I am writing to express my concerns that the study on the impacts of Casino Gambling in the Commonwealth has not yet been released to the public. I am a Selectman in a small community (Monson) in central/western Massachusetts. Our community abuts the town of Palmer with state highway routes going through the town of Monson from the east, south and west to the town of Palmer. We do not have the infrastructure in any of the following areas to support a large enterprise such as a Casino (with known collateral negative impacts); school department, police, fire, EMT, emergency management, highway (roads and bridges), sewer, trash, and other municipal functions.
I would like to have the information that was compiled in the report. I have a duty and responsibility to protect the interests of the town, my neighbors and my family. Many of us live in this community because we value our rural way of life. I moved from the Boston area where I was born and educated twenty years ago to the town of Monson for the "quality of life" that it offers. A Casino would undoubtedly impact our town and I need to be able to assess the potential impact while advocating for the resources necessary to protect the town and its citizens. Will potential agreements that support Casino Gambling provide sustainable and substantial revenues to abutting communities?
We clearly need an economic engine in our region. Our area is economically depressed - the region west of Worcester County is frequently referred to as Massachusetts' third economy. As the state has experienced difficult fiscal times over the past several years, these have been disproportionately leveled in Hampden County where the towns of Monson and Palmer are located. Hampden County has the highest poverty rates in the Commonwealth for single-parenting women with children (Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, 2006). Think about that statistic...it is a moral and social tragedy. I will need compelling evidence that a Casino in Massachusetts will alleviate those problems. Most of my research over the past several years reveals that Casinos have been revenue-neutral propositions with loss of local community-based business, character and quality of life to the host region.
Throughout history advancements in education, health, technology, and safety are the immutable tenants that have built strong and sustainable societies. None of those factors are intrinsic components of the Gambling Industry.
Please slow the rush to decisions on siting Casinos in Massachusetts in order to promote a thorough, citizen and community based dialog on these issues. I have rarely witnessed legislation fueled by fear, greed or haste be prudent or sustainable.
Thank you in advance for your consideration. I may be reached at (omitted for this post) if you wish to discuss this further and learn more from the local perspective.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Conley Norbut (D)
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