Residents
approve Massachusetts casino
As
reported by The Boston Globe
MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. - "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..."
Casino's
height brings controversy
As
reported by The Daily Telegraph
LAS
VEGAS, Nev. -- "James Packer's casino consortium
in Las Vegas has attracted flak from aviation regulators
for its controversial plans for the world's second tallest
building.
"Mr
Packer's Publishing and Broadcasting said in May it paid
$27 million for a stake in the consortium which will develop
and operate the $5 billion Crown Las Vegas casino.
"But
the project has hit a snag because the US Federal Aviation
Administration believes the 575m high tower may be a hazard
since it is near an airport.
"The
group will be sweating on a decision by the FAA, which
ruled last year that anything higher than 200m on the
site will be problematic, because of its proximity to
Las Vegas' McCarran Airport.
"...Mr
Packer has 38 per cent of the consortium which plans to
build the towering casino on the former Wet'n'Wild theme
park site at the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard.
"...The
Nevada casino project is a joint venture between Mr Packer,
Texas developer Chris Milam and the New York investment
fund York Capital Management..."