Because Foxwoods has been continuously less than fully prepared to offer the citizens of Milford a mature plan for incorporating the culture of gambling into the fabric of our town, we now must question Foxwoods’ management team selection.
As presented to the Mass. Gaming Commission the casino’s leadership will consist of the tireless Scott Buttera plus two individuals from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, Rodney Butler, the council’s chairman and Crystal Whipple, the vice chairwoman-elect. Notably absent from the leadership line up are the Thomas boys, one the past chairman and the other a past treasurer, both of whom were bagged for embezzlement and/or theft from the tribe. Also notably absent from the team is the tribe’s chief-of-staff, Tony Beltran and his history of violence and felony convictions. Foxwoods’ license application before the Gaming Commission made no mention of this trio for obvious reasons. A significant question of suitability would arise, not unlike the significant question of Milford being a suitable site for large commercial gambling. The issue of management suitability looms large in the decision process as evidenced by the MGC’s wire brushing of Foxwoods. Of equal importance is the lack of 55% of the investment dollars needed to make the casino happen, and we have no idea of who that investor will be.
We are asked to decide yes or no based on so many unanswered questions prior to the MGC review, and now we have two more major management issues to deal with; all this with the vote just 4 days away. This is not a good situation for Milford and its future. What we can surmise is our future will unfold in a similar fashion with Foxwoods in charge. Vote “NO” on 11/19.
