Plymouth County Commission Planning to Sign Lease with Casino Developers

Deal with Boston South Group on the Agenda for July 21st Meeting; Contempt for Democracy Evident

Dear Readers:

One of the first issues which exercised this publication, the absurdly bad idea of building a casino or a horse-racing track on the County Woodlot at Old Exit 5, has reared its foul head once more, as, undeterred by political democracy or principles of majority rule, the Plymouth County Commission plans on signing the lease with Boston South Group — a cutout corporation for the O’Connell clan of Quincy developers — at their 5:30 pm meeting this evening, July 21st, at 44 Obery Street, according to the Commission’s posted agenda.

This despite the fact that 88% of the voters of Plymouth rejected them and their ludicrously bad idea to destroy our Commons for their private gain at the May Elections.

This is just a reminder that this fight isn't over, and that several of the parties involved — the County and Boston South, above all — have demonstrated their contempt for democracy throughout this process.

I plan on attending, and at the very least documenting what transpires, to the extent I can — much of it will no doubt be in secret, executive session, and like in March, I highly doubt they will allow public comment, since the public, as the May Elections showed, are firmly opposed to the developer's untrammeled avarice, and the County's shameful willingness to sell out the People to the Powerful.

This is, like so many things in our time, a struggle of the vast majority who oppose this destructive project, against the economically powerful and politically connected minority who stand to benefit from destroying our forests and waters.

As the poet Shelley wrote, two centuries ago:

"Rise like Lions after slumber

In unvanquishable number,

Shake your chains to earth like dew

Which in sleep had fallen on you --

Ye are many -- they are few."