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Community Corner

Morais-Don't Gamble on Milford's Future

The proposed casino has become a very divisive issue in our community. There have been strong arguments made for and against the casino. Unfortunately the benefits do not appear to outweigh the costs. The damage that will be done to our community won’t be offset by the prospect of jobs and additional revenue.  The stigma of becoming a casino town and the social impact of a casino cannot be mitigated with unsecured promises of funding.

Marie Parente said it best: "The problem with the casinos is good, decent, honest; ordinary people have to lose so they can make money." Building and running a casino doesn't create wealth, it merely transfers it. The local population that they claim to be helping with additional jobs and revenue is the same population that will need to lose in order for the casino to make any money.

This past weekend we had the honor of attending two outstanding community events. 

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The first event was a banquet to honor and induct the Milford High School 2013 Hall of Fame athletes. As I looked around the room there were many familiar faces.  Former classmates, teachers, coaches, local business owners and town officials all gathered for this community event.  Men and women who mean so much more to us then just their accomplishments on the athletic fields. We listened intently as they spoke about their role models, the men and women who influenced them at a young age, their parents, coaches, teammates. They spoke about the values past down from generation to generation, hard work, dedication, respect and compassion. We felt proud to be from Milford.  We felt proud to be part of this community. 

The second event was a wrestling match held at the Milford High School where special athletes have been training and competing against Milford High School athletes. The program was created by former Milford High student Nicholas DiAntonio, who coaches the team of special athletes alongside Dan Duest, a youth wrestling coach in Milford. 

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As we sat in the gym, we were incredibly touched by the power of what a few can do to really make a difference and change lives.  I promise that if you had seen the smiles on these athletes’ faces you would know this is an experience that will stay with them forever.  We felt proud to be from Milford. We felt proud to be part of this community.

Nick, Dan and the high school athletes helped reaffirm what we already believed. We love this community and sincerely believe it was built and made great on the backs of people rather than money.  We are saddened when we think about the looming negative effects that bringing a Casino could have on this community.  There is no amount of money that would entice me to gamble on Milford’s future. Casino town cannot be our legacy.

The decision is now in your hands. On Tuesday November 19th the town of Milford will vote to decide what we believe to be Milford’s future.   We ask that you join us in voting NO!

Allison & Joe Morais

Milford





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