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| Taunton-Wampanoag Indian Casino 35-mile economic impact zone includes more than 50 Massachusetts & Rhode Island communities |
Make sure your elected officials act
now – before July 2, 2012 - to protect your economic,
community, environmental and public safety interests if you live in any of
these Massachusetts locations near the proposed Taunton-Wampanoag Indian casino:
Abington, Assonet, Attleboro, Avon, Berkley, Bridgewater, Brockton, Buzzards
Bay, Canton, Carver, Dartmouth, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Fall River, Franklin,
Freetown, Halifax, Hanover, Lakeville, Marion, Marshfield, Middleboro, New
Bedford, Norfolk, Norton, Norwell, Pembroke,
Plainville, Plymouth, Plympton, Randolph, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Rockland,
Sharon, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Walpole, or Wareham. Impacted communities in Rhode Island include:
Barrington, Bristol, Cranston, East Greenwich, Lincoln, Portsmouth, Providence,
Smithfield, Tiverton, Warwick and Woonsocket.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has an application for a land in trust (LIT) reservation casino complex in Taunton,
Massachusetts pending before the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau for
Indian Affairs (BIA). While no one other
than the Tribal Council has seen this application yet, the Tribe is required to
include details on how the casino will impact surrounding communities on
various fronts. These include identifying
environmental, economic, public safety, traffic and community character issues
along with the Tribe’s plans for mitigation of any negative impacts.
The State of Rhode Island has begun preparing reports on the negative impact the proposed Taunton-Wampanoag Indian casino
will have on jobs, local businesses and the Narragansett Indian Tribe’s
interests in border communities in their state. However, some local Massachusetts’ communities
neighboring Taunton who tried to reach out to the City of Taunton and Tribe to
request that they be included in impact related negotiations have simply
shut-out and ignored. Fortunately, the
Bureau for Indian Affairs will not ignore these impacted communities’ input and
is current
soliciting community impact concern statements now. Anyone can send a
comment of concern. Those from elected
officials in your community, however, will have the most weight. Ask you local selectmen, school board
members, public works officials, public safety officers, state representatives
and senators and others to write BIA.
You must get your letters in by July 2, 2012.
Written comments should be sent by mail to:
Franklin Keel, Regional
Director
Eastern Regional Office,
Bureau of Indian Affairs
545 Marriott Drive,
Suite 700
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Or via fax to: (615)
564-6701.
Make sure you include
your name, return address and the caption specifying “Scoping Comments for Proposed Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Property Trust
and Development'” on the first page of your written comments.
Please (cc)share copies
of your letters with the:
Massachusetts Gaming
Commission
84 State Street, Suite 720
Boston, MA 02109
Fax: 617.725.0258
Boston, MA 02109
Fax: 617.725.0258
Independent economic and public safety studies
shows the location of casinos impacts neighboring communities’ property values,
crime rates, social service costs, road and infrastructure maintenance and local
businesses within 35 to 50 miles.
Traffic, environmental and community character impacts can easily be seen
in any community directly bordering a casino location but the impact extends
well beyond that immediate area. Issues for
elected officials and community leaders in those cities and towns which border
Taunton and fall within a conservative
35 mile economic impact zone should be demanding that Commonwealth of
Massachusetts’ Gaming Commission and the BIA require that the Mashpee Wampanoag
Tribe research and provide mitigation strategies to address these concerns.
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| The Mashpee Tribal home and offices are more than 50 miles away from the proposed Taunton-Wampanoag casino site. |
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe offices are not
within this impact zone, nor do the majority of tribe members reside within the
impacted areas (Mashpee Tribe enrollment ordinances require that they live
within 25 miles of the Town of Mashpee – which is more than 50 miles away from
the proposed Taunton casino).
Neighboring communities can anticipate
significant traffic and potential environmental impacts from this Indian
casino. If you own or work for a
business which might compete with those opening in the new Indian casino
complex consider the words
of Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman Cedric Cromwell as reported
by the Boston Herald:
“We will destroy the competition because
we won’t pay licensing fees or taxes!”
While Cedric was speaking then of casino
competition, his remarks are equally true for restaurants, shops and
attractions which will be forced to compete with the Taunton-Wampanoag Indian reservation complex. This will be
further exacerbated by the economic drain slot machines have on regional
economies around casinos.
University of Illinois College
of Business professor John Kindt has researched casino economics for more
than 20 years and is the author of multiple reports
and ongoing independent (not funded by the casino industry) research into the
effects of casinos on the communities and regions in which they are
located. As to casino development promoters’
cornerstone promise of jobs, Kindt, notes: “Generally
there is a bump lasting about two to three years. There are new construction
jobs and a lot of activity as money is coming in.” But Kindt warns that the bump won’t last:
“Once the project is completed, and slot machines come in, [the casino] takes
everything.”
The Mashpee
Wampanoag Indian reservation casino for Taunton proposal includes 3,000 slot
machines. As an Indian reservation
casino, state and local regulations limiting and regulating these slot machines
do not apply. The Tribe will pay no
taxes or fees associated with these slot machines and may independently choose
to increase the number of slot machines without any local or state approvals
once their reservation application is approved.
Each slot
machine costs the surrounding community one job per year, Kindt says. In an article
for the Ohio Law Review, he reported that within a newly established casino’s
“feeder market,” business and personal bankruptcies increase between 18 and 42
percent, while “impulse” business transactions in the area decline by 65
percent.
“When billions
of dollars are going into slot machines, where are those billions of dollars
coming from?” Kindt told
the Biscayne Times in February of 2012. “They are no longer buying cars,
refrigerators, or even food and clothing.” In the case of the Taunton-Wampanoag Indian casino, those un-taxed billions will be going to the Tribe's financial backers in Malaysia helping improve the economy and job situation for Kuala Lumpur, not Massachusetts.
The Mashpee
Wampanoag casino resort proposal includes a shopping mall, restaurants, water
park and hotels. The Tribe’s IGA with
the City of Taunton conveys to them “super water rights” which will allow them
to tap into the Taunton River Watershed to support
their 250 million gallon per year local water drain. These Indian
reservation businesses will add additional burdens to the area economies as
they will pay no sales taxes, licensing fees or bear similar costs for state
and local zoning and employment regulations.
Area attractions and businesses will see additional declines in revenue
associated with this unfair competition.
Impact issues of concern for
local communities based on Kindt’s research include:
·
The gambling drain on the economy and its net
negative impact on job creation (job losses, local property and sales tax
declines)
·
Addicted gambling and suicides (treatment and
related costs)
·
Gambling-caused increases in bankruptcies,
crime, and prostitution (public safety cost increases)
·
Gambling’s $3 in taxpayer costs for every $1 in
benefits
Well beyond the borders of
Taunton, communities will be impacted by casino-related competition costs, lost tax revenues and jobs will be felt at shops, restaurants and entertainment venues from the Swansea Mall to
Westgate in Brockton and from Independence Mall in Kingston to Twin Rivers’
casino in Lincoln, RI. Don’t count on
the Mashpee Wampanoag representing any interests or community concerns to
BIA. If you and your local officials don’t
speak now, you’ll have nobody to blame and no recourse later.
Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah for the free enterprise system!!!!!! As an American I welcome this enterprise. It is about time we had some competition and imagine that American Indians may for once have a fair and equitable chance to provide for their own. Imagine fellow Americans attempting to use what makes America great "free enterprise". If you do not like the casino do not go, it really is that simple. Your bashing of this process is somewhat lopsided and speaks not in the full truth mode, I think you know where you are being dishonest :) I say RUN don't WALK Mashpee Wamps get your slice of the American dream, be as successful as you can be, after all we are all Americans and should be going after life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, isn’t’ this what we all strive for and why not it is truly an American passion!!!! Sounds like some are mad because they are not able to figure out how to make this work in their favor TSK, TSK, TSK, be careful nay Sayers your jealousy is showing. American for Americans (TR)
ReplyDeletePaulaBrooke when did you come out of Taunton.You must be getting paid for that nonsense you just wrote.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the typos:)
ReplyDelete1. Who in the world is Paula Brooke???? Why is that nonsense, can't we just agree to disagree? sounds like the American process to me. Yep Free Enterprise at its finest:) Gotta love it!!!! Huzzah!!!!!! American for Americans (TR)
You know who Paula is and you know who Brooke is don't play stupid.How much are you getting paid?
ReplyDeleteActually I do not know of whom you speak, why so angry:) iam paid nothing just responding to Wamapaleaks, becasue I can!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous is either horribly misinformed, or a really good liar. The proposed casino is NOR an American enterprise. In fact, if it were, the tribe would have no interest in building. The casino will be on sovereign land; land owned by the US but under the governmental powers of the tribe. Local and state laws will not apply, there is little to no federal oversight, they pay NO TAXES, the IGA favors the tribe and will not allow taxpayers in the community any standing in court if they need further mitigation, and last but not least, this tribe has credibility issues.
ReplyDeleteHowever, they do have one thing going for them; enough money for a PR campaign that prevented any real concerns about this project to be addressed by the people of Taunton.
Mayor Hoye is no leader, and was clearly a big mistake by the voters. Since he is not running for re-election, I am wondering if he was promised a job in return for his blind support. It will be a small victory when Mayor Hoye ends up unemployed and no hope for re-election.
Wow, so I am either really stupid or I am a discredited liar, Yikes!!!! So much for the free enterprise system; Sir/Maam, it is not I who is “horribly misinformed” but you yourself (imagine that). By definition of the term American Indian, this is an American enterprise. You are clearly lacking knowledge of the historical record of what has happened to American Indians in our country.
DeleteDo you ever wonder why the Federal government has done this terrible thing of not allowing state taxes and other “unfair practices” against you and the poor, defenseless State?
Why would they give the Wampanoag these Federal level governmental powers??? Does the IGA favor the tribe or acquiesce to the tribe’s sovereign rights status as a nation unto themselves. Please stop twisting the facts with local politics.
The separation of Federal and State issues with the tribe has been ongoing for centuries (look up the word compact), the federal government acknowledging the tribe as an actual people was a huge milestone for the Federal government (I am thankful for that corrected wrong).
This acknowledgement is based on lands stolen and lives lost, (do not believe me look at the historical record). THEY PAY NO TAXES, because we are a sovereign nation. However really look at the compensations that are being offered in lew of taxes (this is what I mean by twisting the facts).
The credibility issues you speak of are about individuals of the tribe and this may be with some tribal members if proven (innuendo is not proof) I will defer to the findings of any relevant and proper investigation not innuendo! However, it is not a credibility issue of the tribe as a whole: Example I vote, I have kids, I work hard every day, I follow the laws of the land, and probably I am not that different from you. Well except for the whole, I am a liar and stupid remarks you made about me (not offended however, I chalk it up to misinformation on your part). I did not vote for mayor Hoye so I reserve comment on that topic.
I am only responding to what I see as attacks on my folks, which I see as a misinformed lack of knowledge about the historical record. Please review the historical record and I think you will see why things are the way (and rightly so) they are you may be stunned at what you find in the reading.
I believe you really are not interested in the historical record but are more concerned because history is starting to catch up with you and you are not in accord with the results of our shared history or the corrected (Tribal rights) wrongs that will affect your perceived future. “I get it” it is not fair (your perception), to you but please review the historical record and see what true unfairness looks like, I caution you however you may not like what you read. After you review that, please adjust your verbiage accordingly. Just a concerned American like you
You just outed yourself thank you
ReplyDeleteAbout the response I expected, as soon as the truth is spoken deceit and foolishness hits the road with an unintelligent and thoughtless retreat, git bird:)
DeleteWhy did Cedric Cromwell dissolve the Project First Light Inc right before the Election in Taunton ?
ReplyDeleteI do not know but I have my own questions about this first light Inc thing:)
DeleteThe last anonymous poster was not me. Glad you're not offended...lol...it was hard to tell.
ReplyDeleteIts funny that you think the casino will be part of the American Enterprise system because it is run by an American Indian. Did you understand the benefits of sovereignty? As a self-governing group operating on tribal land, you are above the laws that the rest of us live under. The very nature of tribal sovereignty sets tribes apart. If you think tribes operate an American business, just go ahead and suggest that they apply for a commercial gaming license. I'm guessing the answer will be no.
You should probably check IGRA. It requires a compact, which is a tribal/STATE agreement required by Federal law. You think that is an example of the feds protecting tribes from the states? And the feds give the governor the opportunity to oppose trust land within their borders. You think that is evidence of the protection given by our federal government?
There was no land stolen in Mashpee. Tribal members came there to be praying Indians and learn Christianity. They were assimilated by choice. They had political control of their community, voted and held elected offices in Mashpee and owned their land and homes. But what do I know, I can only go by the history the tribe claimed for itself in 1978. That story has changed somewhat due to the requirements of IGRA.
Did you know there is a whole bunch of tribes out west who are furious that tribes who were not damaged by the Dawes Act have the nerve to claim land under the IRA? Did you know they have been lobbying hard against a Carcieri fix? Did you see the letter Salazar wrote to the Regional Directors explaining the purpose of the IRA? And you think I'm misinformed?
I don't respect any group of people who claims to have been wronged by the settlers without acknowledging the restitution that has been afforded tribes throughout the years. I don't think I know anyone who doesn't wish that we could go back and change the course of history. But I believe just as firmly that we have to stop paying for it.
Wow, again you are really good at twisting things to meet your criteria. While I agree we are equal to the federal government (not above it, Nice try) in some things. We are still Americans and subject to the rules and laws of this land. I believe I still pay taxes and provide to the common defense of our nation (that being America).
DeleteI note that you refused to answer why Tribes are “set apart” interesting approach and verbiage choice here. We are above the United States how is that possible??? We are sovereign because for many a good year some folks tried to deny that we were even a people (you know “less than”) or even Indian for that matter. All of these diversions and slick talk worked well up to a point. That point was the final acknowledgement by the Federal Government that they had made a terrible mistake; in seeing their error, the Federal government is now rectifying that mistake by providing rules and policies through sovereignty for my folks to “catch up” with the things that have been denied for a greater than good long while
I will attempt to use simple speak here, what you seem to be upset about is that the Wampanoag have been give something (sovereignty), that you seem to think is “not fair”. I understand that I also note that you have not really looked into the historical record, since you are focused on the illogical assertion that we showed up in Mashpee; How did you put it. “There was no land stolen in Mashpee. Tribal members came there to be praying Indians and learn Christianity.” This is unbelievable, based on this line the Wampanoag stumbled into Mashpee where the European folks helped them to be Christian, and based on this allowed the Wampanoag to live here (thanks).
Wow, again you are really good at twisting things to meet your criteria. While I agree we are equal to the federal government (not above it, Nice try) in some things. We are still Americans and subject to the rules and laws of this land. I believe I still pay taxes and provide to the common defense of our nation (that being America).
ReplyDeleteI note that you refused to answer why Tribes are “set apart” interesting approach and verbiage choice here. We are above the United States how is that possible??? We are sovereign because for many a good year some folks tried to deny that we were even a people (you know “less than”) or even Indian for that matter. All of these diversions and slick talk worked well up to a point. That point was the final acknowledgement by the Federal Government that they had made a terrible mistake; in seeing their error, the Federal government is now rectifying that mistake by providing rules and policies through sovereignty for my folks to “catch up” with the things that have been denied for a greater than good long while
See next
I will attempt to use simple speak here, what you seem to be upset about is that the Wampanoag have been give something (sovereignty), that you seem to think is “not fair”. I understand that I also note that you have not really looked into the historical record, since you are focused on the illogical assertion that we showed up in Mashpee; How did you put it. “There was no land stolen in Mashpee. Tribal members came there to be praying Indians and learn Christianity.” This is unbelievable, based on this line the Wampanoag stumbled into Mashpee where the European folks helped them to be Christian, and based on this allowed the Wampanoag to live here (thanks).
ReplyDeleteHas it ever occurred to you that the reason the Wampanoag survived and were not simply killed outright is that they became “praying Indians” as a survival mechanism, and for the record The Wampanoag were here first.
See what I mean about that twisting thing, you are very good at revising the historical record (not) and making it appear that Europeans were here and we just showed up like magic, You really cannot be this foolish, your words are slightly twisted just enough so they appear to make sense. I however cannot be fooled “Mr. Tricky Man”
Let me ask you a another simple question why in the world would I apply for a gaming license when the rules say I do not have to do this??? You are stuck on this is not an American Enterprise system (really) I am not the one who needs to check their facts and I submit that if you simply speak in plain English the truth will be revealed.
ReplyDeleteHere you go again now trying the old divide and conquer rule when you say “Did you know there is a whole bunch of tribes out west who are furious that tribes who were not damaged by the Dawes Act have the nerve to claim land under the IRA? Really, How many tribes in bunch??? Now you are the authority on how other tribes feel, wow you are one in the know person. Again, you twist the truth so it fits your agenda “Mr Tricky man” TSK, TSK, TSK, sorry not working. And yes you are actually beyond misinformed
Sir/Maam, the Wampanoag folks dealt with the Pilgrims who left England (for various persecutions) for the Americas and came into contact with my folks when they first arrived, simply look at our shiny new dollar coin for simple proof of this fact (see how the we were here first thing works).
Settlers were considered those who were apart of the westward expansion under that pesky “manifest destiny process” oops did I say that. I will ask again respectfully that you review the historical record; even the ones written by the Europeans have some truth in them.
Finally, you say something very ignorant and to me super silly “I don't respect any group of people who claims to have been wronged by the settlers without acknowledging the restitution that has been afforded tribes throughout the years.” Sir/Maam, this shows your lack of understanding the historical record (even a little bit).
I make no claim at anything and you may be stunned to learn that I do not think you have done anything to me in fact you owe me nothing, since you were not around when all the damage was done to my folks (and it was long before 1978), look it up Cuz.
However having said that, I do hold the Federal Government responsible for the bad treatment of all Indians across this land; For you to understand what I am talking about you must really read the historical record as this will take your narrow twisted view and expand it to full digital clarity.
Since I am not in the magical wishing business we cannot go back and “change the course of history (Like superman did for Lois Lane in Superman #1) to make things right, however you do show some signs of human compassion for that thought
For the record you are paying for nothing the Federal Government is correcting a wrong kind of like reparations to the Japanese Americans for stealing all their land and belongings, and before you say that is your tax money it is also mine, you see I pay taxes too, so who is paying who???
If you had this opportunity I do not believe you ware care one Jot what I would think, so I stand by my original assertion Huzzah, Huzzah, Huzzah let the American enterprise system work even with all its flaws, both Tribal and Federal. So you see we are not separate but all Americans, you just seem upset because you cannot figure out how to make this legal economic process work for you. American for Americans (TR)
Game set and match:) Git Bird!
Delete