Brian Can End This Now

He has spent much of his adult life in service to his hometown. He has been out front in preserving the character and livability of Milford. He has been aggressive in holding licensed establishments to account for the conduct of their staff and patrons. He has been assertive in helping to keep less than desirable businesses out of Milford. He has helped shape and maintain the financial health of the Town. You may not always agree with him, but Brian is always there to promote and protect Milford. His efforts seem endless.

And so one wonders why Brian Murray has not taken a stand against the siting of a casino in Milford.

Bill Buckley is outspoken in his opposition to the siting of a casino in Milford. If Brian joined Bill in publicly opposing the proposed casino, the project might be all but dead. It would seem that Nunes and his partners would have a very difficult time securing funding if it was known that a majority of the Milford Board of Selectmen was opposed to this project.

It would seem that the issue of water usage alone would tip the scale against this project. Apparently the Milford Water Company has said it  can not or will not provide water to a casino, restaurants and a 300 room hotel. In response, David Nunes is reported to have said that the casino project would drill its own wells.

Those wells would tap the same underground water supply that is the lifeline that sustains Milford’s families and businesses. It sustains the Town’s viability. Wells drilled to support a casino project could have a devastating effect in just a few years after they begin operation regardless of how much recycling or use of grey water the project incorporates into its design.

So why is one of Milford’s most ardent supporters not saying ‘no’?

Brian has said that right now a casino in Milford is just a concept; he has said that there is no proposal for a casino before the Town. If Nunes, Warner Gaming and Foxwoods make it past the initial review by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Milford would be faced with a referendum sometime this fall on a proposal to locate a casino here.

The casino interests would be very aggressive in pressing their case for approval by the residents of Milford. They would most likely hire a public relations firm with expertise in political campaigns. Milford would be subjected to the intense pressure seen during the recent presidential election in the battlegrounds states of Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and others. Radio and newspaper advertising in local and regional outlets would inundate the town. Mailings, door knocks and phone calls would rain down on residents. Nursing homes would be asked to allow presentations. Senior citizens would be a target and the Boston media would become a regular sight in Milford. Anyone identified as ‘undecided’ would become a particular target. This would not be the usual Milford Town Election.

Nunes and his partners put up $400,000 as a non-refundable fee just to be considered for a Massachusetts casino license. How much they would spend on a referendum campaign in Milford is anyone’s guess.

Milford residents are organizing to oppose a casino project but their resources for the fight -- financial and otherwise -- will be far less than Nunes and company will bring to bear.

Milford has been roiled in the recent past by the Water Company’s failure to provide safe drinking water; the uproar over the change of  high school principals; the presence of illegal immigrants; the dismissal of a coach; and the attempt to bring nude dancing to town.

Brian can act now to protect our water supply. He can prevent Nunes' from bringing his aggressive campaign to town. He can join Bill Buckley in publicly opposing the siting of casino in Milford.

Brian Murray is so well regarded that he will run unopposed for re-election to the Board of Selectmen.

Reach out to Brian and ask him to publicly oppose the siting of  a casino in Milford. Ask Brian to end this now.

You can leave a message for Brian at the Selectmen’s Office at 508-634-2303. You can email him at brian@bwmurraylaw.com.