Selectmen Recommend Casino Referendum
The non-binding question will be on the ballot this March.
Selectmen have unanimously recommended a non-binding referendum question for expanded gambling, moving the item to the ballot in March.
The referendum question will ask residents if they would be in favor of video lottery machines and table games at Rockingham Park in Salem.
Ed Callahan of Rockingham Park brought the item before the Salem Board of Selectmen on Monday. He said the park would pay for any costs associated with the referendum question.
"We appreciate that the town had this referendum in 1994 and 2003, but now that we're 10 years out, the possibility of finding out where residents are on the issue is probably a good idea," Callahan told the board Monday night.
Callahan proposed language for the referendum question that he said closely mirrors an expanded gambling bill expected to go before the state Legislature in January or February.
Selectmen Chairman Pat Hargreaves proposed that the board put forward with a recommendation from the board.
"I believe all five of us on the board are in favor of this," he said. "And I believe if we have a private entity doing this, then the public would probably see it as a private business trying to make money."
Selectman Stephen Campbell said he agreed with the measure.
"I've made no bones about it that (extended gambling) goes along with my conservative values that if we're going to have gambling in the state, I have no problem if the people want it at Rockingham Park," he said. "I'm not opposed to us doing it, particularly if the racetrack is going to pick up the additional costs."
Larry Belair, of the citizen group NH Casino Now, said his organization would also give any support necessary to move the question forward.
Selectmen voted unanimously to recommend the question. Selectman Michael Lyons participated in the meeting by telephone.
Susan
10:07 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Huge bummer. Makes me so sad to know the people of Salem are so clueless to the ramifications of having gambling in their town.
Kelly Pilla
2:03 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Hi Susan,
Can you tell me what you think the ramifications of having gambling in our town, are? I feel like gambling has been part of our town since the early 1900's in the very spot that gambling is proposed now.
When my husband and I moved to Salem in the early 1980's horse racing was still a big part of this community. I raised my children here, grew a business here and built a life all while Rockingham Park was here too.
If we are to continue our New Hampshire "live free or die" way of life, this is a way to collect tax money to support our infrastructure and not make the citizens have to bear the tax burden that is becoming increasingly unbearable.
I am truely interested in what you think will happen to our town? I welcome the insight.
Merry Christmas :)
Gary Boutin
11:41 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Im sorry to hear that some people are still not with it. We have had gaming at the track for over 100 years. We were the first in the country to have the lottery. Rockingham has ,and is, hosting gaming and betting like Texas holdem, RaceTrack betting, Bingo, Boxing and MMA matches. Also have other fund raisers for charities, that involve all kinds of casino games. The time has come to expand and allow a casino at Rockingham. Millions to the host town, hundreds of million to the state and other charities, over 2 thousand constrution jobs, and, 2 thousand permenent casino. jobs. IF NOT ! We will end up with more box stores and more apartments buildings in that 170 acers. How much will the state or Salem gain with that prospect ? How much more will we need to do with our Schools, or more schools, fire and police depts ? Wher will that money come from. Gamers are adults, and shouldn't be dictated to any longer. People will gamble here or Conn., Mass, Maine, or on line ! Lets keep the funds in NH !
Liz
12:22 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Very well stated. I say it's about time!
Susan
1:52 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Gary, you are clearly not very familiar with the towns that host these casinos. Talk to the people that live in these towns and you will know about the decrease in quality of life. The monies do not have to be allocated to the towns. Those that think the money will go right into Salem are so misguided. The gaming you refer to now is nothing compared to what we will see. Jobs are often part time with no benefits, and construction jobs will of course not be permanent as you stated. It will be a logistical nightmare for this town.
Gary Boutin
10:46 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Susan, did you attend the Gaming forum held at the Elk's last month? Very open questions from the concerned and many stats from parks with generaly the some conditions we have here. Lots of my family live next to Foxwood, in ledger and N. Stonington, Conn. They like their roads and other infrastructure improvements there but, the money's are different. Its Tribe owned and ran. In NH laws would be inplace and certain conditions have to be met and the state has complete oversight. Local Biz in the Penn model get more Biz, the local charities are match managed and payed 1% over and includes inflation addjustments, So much more Pro's than Cons. Maybe the Video of that forum can be gotten and used to learn the truth about the relationship with the host town and the Casino.
Susan
2:46 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Kelly, I was going to try and get my point across in my own words but alas, this article from the Baltimore Sun says it all:
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-10-25/news/bs-ed-casinos-letter-20121025_1_baltimore-casino-casino-dollars-casino-money
Merry Christmas to you too!
Kelly Pilla
2:49 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Susan,
While I understand the point of this article. I am confused on how it relates to what we are discussing. It is my understanding that video gaming and gaming tables would be an addition to the Rockingham Park. Along with the rehabing of the physical property to bring it back to its former glory. Not building multiple complexes with several hotels attached. Thank you for pointing out these facts however, I will look further into the development plans being proposed. Before making my final decision.
Merry Christmas :)
Riley Reid
8:12 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
@Susan: What quality of life are you referring to ? With all the box stores, tattoo parlors, fast food restaurants, etc., it's not like we let our kids walk around town to interact with their neighbors.
Salem is not Mayberry RFD, maybe sometime long ago, but not today.
Susan
8:38 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Very few towns are like Maryberry RFD, Riley. Let's at least maintain some kind of dignity and decency in this town. As you said, box stores, tattoo parlors, etc...the casino would be the icing on proverbial cake.
Riley Reid
9:05 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
It's too late Susan !
Susan
9:08 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
@Riley. Really? Do you think? Why do you think that?
Riley Reid
10:14 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
take a good look around it's getting worse here everyday. Would you let one of your children just ride their bicycle down Main St or anywhere else? My husband and I just bought a piece of property up north in VT, hopefully we will be in Mayberry someday.
Susan
3:00 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Kelly, I realized that some of the information was not pertinent to Salem. That being said, I then started to wonder what would happen to all those people that sat and drank and gambled all day at the tables???? No hotel to walk over to or shuttle to...yikes!
Soujourner Truth
3:58 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
At one point, the track paid for a study that showed a casino-type expansion project would bring 1 million unique new visitors to Salem a year. 2700 new people each and every day, whose main purpose would be coming here to drink and lose their money. I remember thinking we don't have anywhere close to the ability to support that kind of new traffic (the car variety) on top of what we already have. Has anyone ventured out to the mall/Route 28 area this month? Imagine that 365 days a year, only on hyperdrive. Not to mention the lack of other town infrastructure that is capable of dealing with other spillover effects like crime and meet the needs of more low-wage workers. Our police station needs a rebuild, nearest ER is 15 minutes away, affordable/available housing is nonexistent, local welfare budget won't cover many more dads gambling away the rent money again, etc. Hey, I've been here 2 decades and note that in all that time we've failed to resolve the left turn lanes from 28 onto Main Street! The money the town would get in exchange for putting up with all of this isn't nearly enough. I'm with Susan.