Pro-Casino Group Forms, Plans Kickoff to Rally Supporters of Foxwoods MA

Written by Mary MacDonald

A group has organized to rally support for the Foxwoods Massachusetts casino in Milford, called Citizens for Milford's Future.

The organization will hold a public meeting for the first time on Oct. 3 at the Portuguese Club in Milford, a kickoff to what organizers hope will be a movement that encourages casino-supporters to step forward. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The effort is led by Michael Kaplan, a Milford attorney and the chairman of the local bar association. In a phone interview, Kaplan explained that part of his reason for organizing the group was an experience in his neighborhood. He put up a pro-Foxwoods sign at his house, in a neighborhood with several anti-casino signs, and was accosted by a neighbor who disagreed with him.

Kaplan said he knew he was not alone in supporting the casino, but felt other supporters needed an organizational voice. "The idea is, first and foremost, to let people know there is another contingency of Milfordians that is not anti-casino."

The group will use the Foxwoods Massachusetts signs, and will have a better sense following the Oct. 3 meeting how to proceed. At this point, it does not have a website or a presence on social media. Part of its purpose in forming is to help influence voters in Milford, who will decide Nov. 19 whether the casino should be advanced. The group needs to counter, Kaplan said, some of the "misinformation" about the casino project that is being disseminated by opponents, including Casino Free Milford.

Casino Free Milford, meanwhile, will hold its own rally this week. The meeting is at St. Mary of the Assumption's parish center on Wednesday night.

Since news reports of pro-casino group's formation, Kaplan said, he's been swamped with emails from people who are interested in helping. His voice mail on his phone, he said, became filled with messages. People want the jobs, estimated at 3,500, or a nice place to dine out, or some nightlife, he said, all the things that the resort has proposed.

"The feedback I'm getting is unbelievable," he said. "I've been on the phone for hours, over the past several days. [People are saying] finally, someone's stepping up."

People interested in getting in touch with Kaplan or Citizens for Milford's Future should contact him at mike@kaplanslaw.com.