Public forum on casino impact to be held May 6

Study committee invites residents to turn out with questions

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WARREN – Neither “pro” nor “anti,” the Casino Study Committee is about preparing for a possibility.

They have organized a pubic forum to be held in the Quaboag Regional High School auditorium on May 6 at 7 p.m. and invited three public officials from communities with experience.

The study committee met last week to finalize the forum plans.

Chairman Bob Souza explained the purpose behind it. “We’re fact finders. That’s the way I kind of look at it. We want to get the facts out. We want to try to be able to answer as many questions as possible because obviously there are some good things that come out of (casinos) as well as some impacts.”

Three panelists who have been booked to appear are former Ledyard, CT. Town Planner Bill Haase, Ledyard Executive Police Officer Lt. Michael Finkelstein, and Montville, CT. Planning Director Marcia Vlaun.

Souza also said he’d like to invite West Brookfield representatives to attend. “They’re very connected to us because we’re a regional school district,” he said. “Whatever impacts us is really going to impact them.” He also noted that other communities were welcome to turn out with impact questions. He mentioned Holland, Wales and Sturbridge as being communities who may see ramifications, depending where a casino is built.

A microphone will be set up for audience members’ questions.

Souza said he would see if the student cafe would be available to provide refreshments.

A notice was drafted and will be circulated.

The notice reads, “Are you interested in finding out more about the impact of a casino to our area? Would you like to meet your neighbors on the Warren Casino Study Committee and get your concerns noted?”

If so, this is your chance.

The study committee has been meeting monthly to discuss the potential impacts of a casino development whether it be in town or next door.

The committee’s notice also states, “It is important that we hear from the citizens of Warren and West Warren about any concerns or comments they have. Your input will help our committee to be able to seek out the answers to your questions and concerns that we may not have discussed during our meetings and to be prepared to address those issues in future contacts with state legislators and other state agencies.”

The committee intends to host future forums and keep abreast of legislative action.

According to the committee’s mission statement, “our obligation is to disseminate this gathered information to our citizens through a series of public venues. We are committed to assure that the environmental, economic, social, and quality of life, for our community is protected to the best of our ability.”

Souza also said he would be invited State Rep. Todd Smola to summarize the status of casino legislation.

Central Mass Regional Planning Commission (CMRPS) will moderate the event.

Also, the downtown public library has two copies of a casino forum video available for viewing. That forum was also organized by CMRPC and includes speakers from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Middleboro and southern Maine.