"The potential selection of Middleborough as the location of a Mashpee Wampanoag resort casino has sparked an enormous interest in the future of our town. The No Casino supporters are very worried and have completely focused on only the perceived negative impacts of a casino, and they have completely dismissed any positive impacts, such as the many thousands of well-paying job opportunities and the enormous economic opportunities a resort casino can bring to help ease the financial hardships of our town, our region, and our Commonwealth.

Many open-minded people feel that a resort casino is an enormous economic opportunity for our town that we cannot afford to dismiss without fully exploring all the facts. More than 500 residents have signed a petition in support of a resort casino. The Masphee Wampanoag Tribal Council is in a careful, thoughtful, and respectful process dealing with officials in several communities who have expressed interest in being the chosen community for their proposed casino venture.

We need to open our minds and give the process a chance. I urge residents and town officials to read and listen to all the information on all sides of this issue. This can be a positive working partnership between the Mashpee Wampanoag, the Town of Middleborough, and the Commonwealth that benefits everyone. Let's give the process a chance. Check out Casino-Friend.com for much more information."

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Joe Freitas: Listen to all sides of casino debate (The Boston Globe 6/10)