Warning About The Future

[Project Furious, November 6, 2014] Casino gaming is legal in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and by a 20% margin desired by the majority of voters in the state.  This doesn't mean that gambling addiction doesn't exist.   It also doesn't mean that the issues that surround casinos closing around the country doesn't exist.   The business model of casinos is similar to the tobacco industry.   It is fueled by addiction.    Gambling is an addiction that is similar to drugs, alcohol, and sex.   Addiction leads to abuse, violence, and broken families.  But the people of Massachusetts have voted.   Many communities previously made it clear they did not want a casino on their soil, such as Palmer, Holyoke, and West Springfield.   The November vote in these communities was different after MGM was given license in the city of Springfield.    The Governor of Massachusetts also made it clear he did not want a Casino in his home of Richmond, MA, but was in full support of the Casino.    The Mayor of Springfield does live in Springfield and supported the Casino.   Who knows, he may have a job at MGM in Springfield one day in a senior position.  It will be a curious thing to watch after the MGM Casino anticipated opening in the Summer of 2017.

The expected consequence of the vote supporting Casinos in Massachusetts is as follows.   Large construction crews from out-of-state will employ out-of-state jobs to build the large MGM infrastructure in Springfield.   Western, Massachusetts as a whole is not equipped to build or take on such a large project.    A very large $800 million project tends not to finish on time and tends to go over budget.   A good example of that is the Big Dig.   It would not be a total surprise if taxes were somehow incorporated to help finish the over budgeted MGM project in Springfield.     It would also not be a surprise that the anticipated opening in the summer of 2017 is delayed by almost a year.   Perhaps the Spring of 2018 is likely.   During that time, there could be news reports of budget overruns and an added responsibility to the tax payers.    It will be then that those who voted in favor of the casino (vote NO on #3) will have second thoughts of their choice, but by then it will be too late.  

The Communities of Palmer, Holyoke, and West Springfield  first voice opposition to Casinos when it affected their soil and then later voted by wide margin in approval at the November 4th vote.   Imagine what will happen to Springfield after MGM opens.    Imagine how the families, schools, and small businesses will be effected.  Imagine the traffic on Springfield roadways.    What will happen to Springfield is what Palmer, Holyoke, and West Springfield successfully avoided.    What is curious is that voters of Springfield twice approved the Casino.  Perhaps they did not hear the earlier voices of  Palmer, Holyoke, and West Springfield.

Within seven years after MGM opens, the devastation will likely set set in. That is anticipated be around the year 2024 at the latest (given the opening during Summer 2017).  If the casinos in New York are voted in (not approved yet), the traffic of eager gamblers will be able to take I-90 to Springfield making a connection to addicted travelers.   Will the New York casinos around I-90 and the Hudson Valley region stay open forever?  Not likely, but that will create new interested customers in the MGM in Springfield, Massachusetts.   When thinking long term, the I-90 and I-91  intersection provides a gateway into a greater populated area.    Springfield will eventually be a pool of casino gamblers who will merge together.   When their money runs out, the effects of white collar crime, theft, embezzlement, and other financially effected crimes will go up.    When casinos first opened in Connecticut, embezzlement tripled (See "Armageddon by Casino, by David Ewen).  Imagine those who may be at risk of suicide because of the severity of debt impacting families.  When families run out of money desperation kicks in.  This results in broken families, crime, abuse, and even death.

In the book, "Armageddon by Casino" and "Apocalypse by Casino"  (David Ewen) there was a thorough discussion of how crime would result from a Casino in Springfield, Massachusetts.   Already, before formal soil testing of the ground was complete, the first issue has been raised. WWLP 22 News reported that the former owner of the Paramount Theater in Springfield has filed a racketeering lawsuit against Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, New England Farm Council Workers President Herbie Flores, the Springfield Republican and others.  Steven Stein, who owned the Paramount Theater and Skyplex in Springfield, claims the defendants worked together to force Stein to sell the Paramount Theater to the New England Farm Workers Council with the ultimate goal of using the entertainment venue to partner with or sell to  a potential casino developer.   Now imagine what has really been going behind the scenes with MGM coming to Springfield.  I wonder what else we haven't been told.  Project Furious has the slogan "Don't make me say I told you so".   Well,  I hate to say it, but "I told you so".  (Book: Armageddon by Casino / DVD: Apocalypse by Casino - David Ewen)

In preparation for the effects of gambling addiction in Springfield, Massachusetts, a plan already in development will be announced.  It is called "The Rock", which will be a foundation of support for communities effected by broken families, abuse, and addiction.  The Rock will be operational long before the casino open in the summer of 2017.  The Rock is a consortium of business and community leaders helping those steer away from the addictive and destructive nature of casinos.  It also will work as a corporation to help families get connected and protect our communities from crime and violence.  The dance isn't over.  We were just warming up and now getting started.  Remember God is in control and has a plan through his promise.

To all who supported Yes on #3, Project Furious, and other supporting efforts. Thank you.  Remember that God is always in control and has a plan.   We have an opportunity to help the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Springfield Neighbors Flip Flop

(November 5, 2014) Before the November 4th vote, West Springfield and Palmer voted to not have a casino in their back yard.  Mohegan Sun had set up an office in downtown Palmer and a big sign was visible by driver's getting off the Mass Pike at exit 8.  Holyoke had controversy with their Mayor, who initially expressed interest in a Holyoke Casino, and eventually chose not to entertain the idea of having a casino in their city.  The people of Holyoke and supporters of the Mayor made it clear they did not want a casino.  Two years ago, Springfield voted to let MGM build a casino.   A licensed was issued to MGM for Springfield.

Last Summer, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court agreed that the casino issue should be a state-wide vote.   Question # 3 was added to the November 4th ballot.  A "yes" vote meant a "no" to casinos.  

Before the November 4th vote, West Springfield voted not to have the Hard Rock Cafe or any casino in their neighborhood. The Hard Rock Cafe  casino plan for West Springfield was defeated 55-45 percent.  Tim Maland, president of the proposed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England, said the people of West Springfield didn't want a casino — regardless of who might operate it.  Of course the vote was different on November 4th.   They didn't seem to care if the casino is on the other side of the river.   

In Holyoke, Mayor Alex Morse initially desired to have a casino until his supporters showed frustration and disappointment.  Holyoke didn't want a casino.  On November 4th, they didn't seem to show that frustration and disappointment.  

In Palmer, the town that fought hard to not have a casino had voted out Mohegan Sun.  At one time, Mohegan Sun had an office in downtown Palmer.     However on November 4th, their "YES" vote was 40, leaving 60% approving a casino.   They kicked out Mogehan Sun from their town, but didn't seem to mind MGM in Springfield.

In Springfield, the city only supported 36% to not have a casino while 66% were in favor of having the casino.   This isn't too far different from the vote two years ago.  

As I have toured Massachusetts with the fuel of Project Furious, I had observed that if people didn't live in an area of a casino then they strongly wanted it.  An example is the Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick  would vote against a casino if one were proposed in Richmond, the western Massachusetts town where he owns a home.  (MassLive Nov. 13, 2014)

Here’s how all of the eight surrounding communities voted on ballot question #3, where a “No” vote kept the casino gambling law in place, and allows casinos in the state:

• Chicopee:                No votes= 10,285 Yes votes= 5,498
• Agawam:                 No votes= 6,163 Yes votes= 4,046
• Ludlow:                   No votes= 4,364 Yes votes= 2,175
• East Longmeadow:  No votes= 3,382 Yes votes= 2,784
• Holyoke:                 No votes= 6,103 Yes votes= 3,917
• Wilbraham:             No votes= 3,688 Yes votes= 2,343
• West Springfield:     No votes= 4,458 Yes votes= 3,931
• Longmeadow:          No votes= 3,307 Yes votes= 3,968

The Rock

To all who supported Yes on #3, Project Furious, and other supporting efforts. Thank you.  Remember that God is always in control and has a plan.  The Rock will be operational long before the casino open in the summer of 2017.  The Rock is a consortium of business and community leaders helping those steer away from the addictive and destructive nature of casinos.  It also will work as a corporation to help families get connected and protect our communities from crime and violence.  The dance isn't over.  We were just warming up and now getting started.  Remember God is in control and has a plan through his promise. God bless you.