PALMER

JUST RECENTLY, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY (MTGA, THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL) ANNOUNCED IT IS OPENING AN OFFICE IN PALMER, MASSACHUSETTS.

THE OFFICE WAS OPENED TO PROMOTE A POSSIBLE GAMBLING FACILITY IN THIS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AREA. THE FUTURE CASINO WOULD BE BUILT ON A 152 ACRE SITE THAT THE MTGA HAS LEASED FOR 99 YEARS. THE AREA WOULD ATRACT GAMBLERS FROM THE SPRINGFIELD, WORCHESTER, AND ALBANY AREAS.

FUTURE PLANS COULD CALL FOR A FULL SERVICE CASINO WITH A HOTEL. THE PROPOSED CASINO WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 190,000 SQUARE FEET WITH, 3,300 SLOT MACHINES, AND TABLE GAMES, INCLUDING POKER. IT WILL HAVE SOME FORM OF ENTERTAINMENT VENUE AND RESTAURANTS.

PAUL BRODY, MTGA's VICE PRESIDENT OF OF DEVELOPEMENT WAS NAMED THE PROJECT MANAGER.

THE MTGA IS HOPING THAT THE CHANGING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STATE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WILL LEAD TO A CHANGE IN THE LEGISLATURE'S VIEW ABOUT PERMITTING GAMBLING IN THEIR STATE.

BRODY SAID, "IT'S PART OF OUR PLAN TO INCREASE OUR EXPOSURE. THOUGH IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT ARE MORE LIKELY TO COME TOGETHER TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON GAMING."

WE WISH THE MTGA WELL IN THIS ENDEAVOR. BROKENWING EDITORIALS LOOKED AT THE FINANCIALS OF THE MTGA, AND CAN'T SEE HOW THEY CAN POSSIBLY PAY FOR THIS. WE DON'T THINK THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PUT THIS DEAL TOGETHER..

COULD THIS BE ANOTHER POCONO DOWNS? COULD THIS BE ANOTHER GAMBLING ENTERPRISES THAT DOESN'T MAKE MONEY? WHERE IS MTGA GOING TO GET THE FINANCING? SHOULD THE MTGA BE DOING THIS? IS MTGA, NOW DOING KNEE JERK REACTIONS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE MTGA CASINOS IN CONNECTICUT AND PENNSYLVANIA? WHAT DO YOU THINK?