The Lessons Of Ledyard

Having the world's largest casino in your hometown and being a real estate agent comes with some privileges, if being interviewed by the press is considered a privilege.  When the idea of building an Indian Casino crops up in neighboring states, the reporters need to find someone to give them the scoop about life in a small town with a casino. They also like to know how casinos effect real estate and that is where I come in.  Several towns in Massachusetts are considering being host to a resort casino built by the Mashpee Wampanaoag Indians.  They have questions,and Ledyard, having been there and done that, has answers.

Alan Segal from WBZ News Radio in Boston paid a visit to Ledyard in May.  He is not the first reporter that has contacted my office and I doubt he will be the last.  My interview at Ledyard Town Hall, along with Mayor Susan Mendenhall and Connecticut State Police Sgt. John Rich, played on air and was reported on their website.  I'm sure, the three of us sounded like a broken record to Mr. Segal.  We all agreed that it is important for the host town to be in on the negotiations between the state and the tribe from the beginning.  That didn't happen in Ledyard. Under the special agreement with the State of Connecticut, the Mashantuckets give 25% of their slot revenue to the state.  Ledyard wasn't at the bargaining table and as a a result, Ledyard was short changed as the state negotiated on its own, without consideration of the burden placed on the host town.  Mayor Mendenhall summed it up.  “It has put a burden on our police force, our emergency services, fire and rescue. It has also put a burden in our school system”. 

I hope Massachusetts is paying attention.