WOW 81%

WOW...81%.... :-( You people have NO idea what you are in for.

Here's a comment that Jim Rubens, chairman of Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, released tonight:

"Because of their large scale and prevailing low-wage jobs, casinos substantially increase costs of schools, roads, public transportation, subsidized housing, water, sewer, police, and fire protection for host community taxpayers. Salem residents should not be naïve about Millennium Gaming's exaggerated promises and should follow the example set by the residents of pro-casino Palmer, Massachusetts*:

secure a binding, full cost mitigation agreement written into state authorizing legislation while Salem still has sufficient bargaining leverage."

Here's a statement from Rich Killion, spokesman for Millennium:

"We are very pleased that the citizens of Salem demonstrated their support for a casino at Rockingham Park in such overwhelming numbers.
Attaining over 80% support is a testament to the leadership in this community, across town government and the non-profit and private sectors. That's because the people of Salem have a century-long relationship with The Rock and they know it can once again be a catalyst for thousands of jobs, economic development and a provider of sustainable revenue for years to come.
Salem has made a historically, strong statement to Concord that it's a ready and willing participant for a casino. Salem also has put Massachusetts on notice that it's deep, strong support of Rockingham Park provides a competitive mix that will be very difficult for Bay State operators to match."

I voted for the casino but I sure hope that it is not a double cross with the town ending up with a lot less money than promised.

This has been a long time coming! If the echo's from the race announcer could be heard again "An they're off" would only complement the indoor gambling. I am a life-long resident of Salem and hope that this beautiful property in our town will be well developed.

Elections have consequences is what we hear from the top of the ticket and in the halls of our federal government; so why aren't we hearing that now? Cheers to a Casino at The Rock! Make it happen, now, elections have consequences!

81% of the voters welcome a casino, who's sole purpose is to separate people from their money. They believe the backers (who have a vested interest) when they promise that the community will only see improvements and taxes will go down? Most of these people also voted against school improvements which was one of the justifications for having a casino in the first place.

Salem can have a casino and its short sided view of how a community cares for its school system. This longtime resident won't be around to see how this money grab quickly turns into broken promises, disappointment and regret.

When I think about a great community to live and raise children in, I sure don't think about places where there is a nearby casino. Good Luck Salem residents who voted in favor of the casino, with all the money you save on lower taxes, you can build high fences around your houses.

Thanks to all the people who voted on the referendum. What we need now is to have all our State Representatives vote yes when the house bill comes to vote. Their are 4 State Representatives that have expressed their opinion that they are opposed to it.
Representive's, Sytek, Bick, and the two Garcia sisters.
After seeing the 80 plus percent I would hope they would reconsider their position.

Tom Connell

Keeping to my theme. 5704 voters - 18,960 total registered voters. 69.6 % of the registered voters Didn't come out. 13,256 of the residents of Salem, NH don't care much very about schools, roads, bridges, town land, casino, town/school budget affecting tax rates. This is an amazing statement of the apathy that has gotten this country to the current conditions we find us in. We are losing our democracy of all the people to just the few. Deplorable

Once Massachusetts legalizes casinos (and they will) and they build the 3 casinos they've been talking about in the southeast part of the state, I'd like to know who will come to the "casino" at Rockingham Park. This is a scam, and most of the money is going to come in the first few years. After that, they will be looking for all kinds of tax subsidies from the town because they're losing money. You'll see.

I can’t wait to see the 3 percent we get from” VIDEO MACHINE ONLY”. We do not get 3 percent of the proceeds from other types of gambling i.e. POKER, MECHINCAL SLOTS, BLACK JACK, TEXAS HOLDEM, ROULETTE and other non-electronic video machines. Check out the house bill it’s in there.

Everyone talks about investing in schools and infrastructure as a means of providing desirable services to attract "young" couples from the Boston area. I can think of nothing less desirable to raise a young family than to have a Casino, and all the negatives that go with it, in the middle of my town. The majority (81%) has been proven to be wrong before. Democracy rules. Let's hope we can all live with the consequences...

George W Bush once had an approval rating of over 90%, he ended up with his approval rating in the low 20% range.
Salem, you'll be sorry!

The voters of Salem I believe only voted YES to this as it will directly benefit them. The Town is in desperate need of new Schools. New Town office building and a new Police Station. Their yes vote is in the hopes that this new Casino will solve their budget crisis.
WOULD THE VOTERS FROM SALEM BE SO WILLING FOR THIS IF THE CASINO WERE TO BE LOCATED IN THE NORTH COUNTRY? I doubt it.
Rockingham Park's horse track used to be a big attraction, then it seemed to fall off the radar. I am sure that this once thriving business used to pay a hefty property tax bill but I doubt they are paying that today. So what do you think will happen when the newness of the Casino in NH wears off and Mass. builds there 3 casino's? Will Salem still stand behind this?? I doubt it because they the taxpayers will see a rise in their property tax bills to make up the difference.!!!

Underwater Couple.

There is a MAJOR difference between the success of Las Vegas Casinos and the proposed Casino for NH. LAS VEGAS IS A TRAVEL DESTINATION for tourists throughout the world. Where will the patrons be coming from for the NH casino? Mass?, Vermont? and Maine.? Not quite the same as the entire world that Vegas attracts. Also Vegas has an International airport and roads and services that support their infrastructure. Not so much of that in Tiny Little NH. I don't think the old saying of "BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME" will really apply to this ONE FACILITY.

Do you see this as an issue? If not then you are delusional.

Oedipus

Underwater Couple just seems to like to put people down that have an opposing view. Obviously they are Residents of Salem and want this as it will aid the Town's coffers. I doubt they would be so anxious for the Casino if it was located in say Berlin.
Also maybe they have ulterior motives as their screen name seems to suggest they are in FINANCIAL TROUBLE. Maybe they are looking for someone to come along and help them out with getting out a poor choice they made. (I can make cheap shots as well)

@JPF36.00001
Try concentrating on a few topics. That way you have a chance of knowing what you are talking about. Sorry that you know nothing about this topic.

Everyone: Notice the wording of this referendum:
"Are you in favor of allowing (expanded gambling at) Rockingham Park, provided a binding referendum would be required before the commencement of operations?"
This is the same as:
"Are you in favor of prohibiting (expanded gambling at) Rockingham Park, provided a binding referendum fails to permit it."
Be very carefull!!