MGM ups the ante in its bid to be Springfield's casino
Date: 12/17/2012
By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — In the continuing effort to win the hearts and minds of voters in Springfield, MGM Resorts International raised the ante with a pair of endorsements from the unions representing the rank and file of the Police and Fire departments last week.
David Wells, president of the Springfield Association of Firefighters, and Joseph Gentile, president of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 364, appeared with MGM President and CEO James Murren in making the announcement.
Gentile admitted that he and other police union officials did not reach out to Penn National Gaming as part of their decision-making process. He said that MGM management approached the two unions and spoke with them.
Bill Hornbuckle, MGM's chief marketing officer and president of MGM Springfield, said there was no donation made to either union as part of the endorsement process. Instead he said that MGM would "put significant pressure and funding to make public safety [in Springfield] a priority."
Murren said the company "works early and often to establish those relationships [with Fire and Police departments]."
Gentile said the MGM proposal impressed union members with its "state of the art security technology." He said the plan for a casino complex in the South End "will also turn the lights back on in a neighborhood that has been hard-hit."
Wells said, "If we are truly interested in maximizing revenue and economic growth to fund essential city services and help revive this city, we must support the company that will attract the most tourists, businesses and residents back to Springfield. As the only true world-class brand looking to call Springfield home, we believe MGM is the one that can make this happen."
When Gentile was asked about reported organized crime connections to MGM, he said he did not have enough information to answer the question.
Murren then explained the New Jersey Gaming Commission had investigated several partners in the casino MGM operates in Macao and found them "unsuitable partners" if MGM was to operate in New Jersey.
"There was no finding against us," Murren said. He added the company was given several options and elected to take the one that allowed them to leave New Jersey. He emphasized that no other state gaming commission had issues with the Macao operation, which has changed since the time of the inquiry in New Jersey with MGM becoming the majority owners and Murren the chairman of its board.
When asked if other unions would be coming forth with endorsements, Hornbuckle said the company "always has been union friendly" and has agreements with the building trades and carpenters unions.
