Massachusetts grants MGM Springfield license to operate casino

[pipi_k]

3. I live in one of the Hilltowns

about 30 miles or so from Springfield, and while it's unlikely I'd ever go to the casino should it be built someday, I am excited about the prospects for some kind of revitalization in the area...even mine...as maybe people from NY or VT pass through the area on their way to the casino. Or maybe people staying there already wanting to take day trips.

We don't have any industry in my town, so we have to rely on taxes and tourism.

As for Springfield being a nasty crime-ridden hellhole, I can't argue with you there. I was born and raised there, and it makes me really sad to see it featured on the news just about every night for drugs, murders, etc. Even some of the nicer areas where I used to live are no longer immune.

So opponents of the casino are using !!!CRIME!!! as a reason for opposing it, but the crime rate has been rising for decades without having the excuse of a casino causing it.

Opponents don't want the casino, but can never seem to come up with some alternate (and feasible) plan for improving the quality of life in their own city. Only negatives...never positive solutions.

Anyway, my area often gets neglected (or given negligible mention, at best) in the "Visit Massachusetts!" pamphlets. It's all about Cape Cod and Boston, FGS.

Well, there's plenty of cool stuff to do out here, too! We could use some tourist business...