Pie may not cure what ails you, but a good piece helps

Looks like the weather will co-operate for this morning's parade (assuming I was actually looking at the right forecast).  Foggy for most of the morning, but low chance of rain.  High humidity.  Everything is suppose to burn off by noon, with a pretty good afternoon forecast.

No, I am not trying to take over the weather job from my buddy on W.I.  Just sitting out on my deck enjoying the relative p & q of the morning trying to decide an appropriate piece to put forth for this A.M.

There is of course always the option of  skipping another day.  After all, many of you will probably not even bother until tomorrow to review the weekend thoughts.  

Who can blame you?  Certainly not me.   But just in case you are paying attention ...

The biggest event on the horizon for our area (and by area pretty much all of Bristol County and parts of Plymouth County) is, or more correctly are, the competing casino proposals. Certainly the votes that are going to occur will come into play.   

Given the fact that certain proposals for development in some of the areas to be affected have recently failed, by vote and by certain government action, it will be interesting to see how those who live in the towns/city will in fact feel.

The problems which dealt a blow to the retail/distribution proposals will certainly only be magnified by the development of a casino project.  Cannot see how it would be otherwise.  

But what has that to do with us done here.  Well gaming establishments (they don't like the term gambling by the way) have a ripple effect.  Obviously the closer to the actual place the more impact.  

Want to read about the effect casino gambling can have, especially if not thought out on the state's part as well as it should be, you can find a host of articles.  The Boston Globe, back in 2006 did a pretty interesting piece.  There is also the impact study done for the Town of Ledyard.  

And the state of casino gambling (or is it gaming) at Foxwoods is discussed pretty well in a New York Times Magazine article.  

I remember well the big "push" in the mid 1990s for a Casino at the golf course in New Bedford.  attended meetings, received updates, all kind of things.  Back then, apparently gaming establishments were not appropriate for the people of Massachusetts.  Certainly not in New Bedford.

Casinos have been touted as the potential savior for this area as long as the concept of legalizing casino gambling has been proposed since the inception of Foxwoods.  

As I have stated before, and as I think I need to state now, I AM NOT opposed to casino gambling.  What I am opposed to is when the concept is presented as an economic savior.  Yes jobs are created and yes jobs are important.  But it is not a cure all

It does bring people to the area, however they come/go for the most part to gamble.  Will they be segments of the local business community that benefit, absolutely, just as there will be significant costs to the local infrastructure and services.  Just as there will be a drain of money that would be spent in many local businesses.

Let's face, out-of-towners are not going to be the only ones hitting the slots.

Casinos are destination spots.  They are the one stop shopping spots for the visitors dollars.  Do we really think that a whole slew of day trippers are going to come to "visit the casino" then take in the sights?

How many people do you know have made the trip to the Connecticut casinos and then gone sight seeing?

All this being said, the proposals should in the first instance be looked at and judged based on what the same will do for the state, and really more importantly the immediate communities to be affected by them.  

Pretty much it appears our state leaders have determined that the net gain from the casinos across the state will out weigh the net loss to our more proper lottery system.  Certainly the income from 14 daily numbers drawings, and 7 weekly lottery drawings, along with the nearly 24/7 keno plays and who can count how many scratch tickets shouldn't be too adversely affected.  

The state of our state lottery "industry" is exactly where I do find it a bit confusing why it has taken as long as it has for our state to put casinos in.  It really cannot be based on the "vice of gambling" argument.  One source has Massachusetts residents spending per capita in 2009 $666.00.  The closest competitor was in D.C. at a mere $403.  Massachusetts has pretty much led the nation in this spending habit for a long time.

Could be that the inclination to buy lottery tickets would not equate to casino gambling, however er since the rallying point for casino gambling is the fact all the Massachusetts dollars floating across the boarder, don't see how that is or should be an issue.

Five years ago the state could probably have asked for pie in the sky.  Now hopefully we will at least get all the crust.

Where has the time gone.  It was still dark when I started this piece (after reading it you may feel I am still in the dark).  Tow dogs, two cats and the time to make a leisurely breakfast will do that I guess.  

Okay time to head down the street to see the parade.  Enjoy the day.