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Residents approve Massachusetts casino30 July 2007MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. - As reported by The Boston Globe: "By a vote of 2,387 to 1,335, Middleborough residents (Saturday) approved a deal to bring the state's first casino to this mostly rural town south of Boston, capping a sometimes acrimonious local debate and dropping the future of casino gambling in Massachusetts into the lap of Governor Deval Patrick. "Within minutes of the final tally, the five members of the Board of Selectmen signed a 21-page legal agreement that binds the town to support a $1 billion casino when the casino developers go to the state and federal governments for approval. "'The town just took a giant step forward to preserve and enhance the town for its residents and their children," said Wayne Perkins, a longtime selectman. "Glenn Marshall, Wampanoag tribal chairman, said it was 'an exciting day for everyone. Now, it's time to sit down and negotiate with the governor.' "Noting that the ancestral grounds of the tribe include Middleborough, Marshall said, 'We now have a home. The tribe's coming back home and I can't say how happy we are.' "In exchange for its support, the casino developers are promising the town $7 million a year in cash payments, plus revenues from a 4 percent lodging assessment when a planned 1,500 room hotel opens on the site. The tribe has also promised to make improvements in town roads and other infrastructure for the benefit of the casino, and to make a onetime $2 million payment for police and ambulance services. "... For casino opponents, the vote marked a bitter defeat, but some vowed to fight on. "'This is only the preseason,' said Richard Young, a prominent casino opponent. 'The regular season has yet to begin.' "...Tony Lawrence, a casino proponent, said the deal gives the town financial stability. "'This is like a Thanksgiving Day turkey,' he said. 'This deal is stuffed with extra money.' "But David Parker, an opponent, said a casino would bring traffic, health, and crime problems. "...Attention now turns to Washington and Beacon Hill. The developers have said they will simultaneously seek approvals from Governor Deval Patrick and the Legislature, and from the US Department of Interior, which oversees the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. "Marshall has had preliminary discussions with Patrick, but agreed to Patrick's request to wait at least until Labor Day to allow the governor to study the proposed expansion of gambling in the state..." |