Faceoff in the Wild West Tradition

Talks over the establishment of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe casino are set to resume this week after the tribes rejection of a counteroffer from the town of Middleboro to support the deal.

The original deal offered in June 11th included the casino paying the town of Middleboro $7 million a year for 10 years, and an additional $150 million in casino-related infrastructure improvements. In exchange for these payments, the town would support the tribe's building of a$1 billion casino resort in the community.

On July 3rd, however, the town made a counteroffer of $250 million in casino related infrastructure improvements, and an undisclosed percentage of revenues that greatly exceed the original annual $7 million. The tribal Council Chairman, Glen Marshall, said that Middleboro officials have become "unnecessarily hostile" in their attempt to claim additional millions in payment. He explained that the proposed counteroffer would "strip the tribe of the very sovereignty it has fought so hard to secure".

Nevertheless, Marshall has admitted that the town is still the tribe's number one choice for its venue, as the location will allow for fierce competition between the Mohegan Sun Casinos and Fox woods. As a result, he has called for "common ground for a mutually beneficial agreement".

Despite all this, the tribe is legally allowed to operate bingo parlors within 50 miles of Cape Cod the tribal home. Their choice in gaining town approval has been result of a desire to establish good relations with its prospective business partners, so to speak.

The Gambling Fact Finding Committee of Middleboro is now listening to everyone before reaching a conclusive decision. Part of their initial hesitation to accept the tribe's offer can be accredited to the policy analysis of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth center, conducted by Director Clyde Barrow. Barrow strongly opposed the tribe's offer over Texas to construct a five star gambling facility in Middleboro. Barrow argues that the Narragansett Indian Tribe on West Warwick and Rhode Island was expected to pay West Warwick considerably more than what the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe has offered. This agreement would have also blocked the Narragansett Indian tribe as being out under tribal trust, which would exclude them from taxes. Additionally, this agreement would not have recognized the land as sovereign and would have required them to pay taxes.

There are many mixed feelings regarding the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe's offer, however the town is being clearly pushed to negotiate and reach a mutual decision.