'No to Foxboro Casino' Group Reaches Out With Message

For the "No to Foxboro Casino" group, the game plan is still to get the message out to as many people as they can, and get them to convince casino developer Steve Wynn to forgo his Route 1 project.

That's why the group held an open house and forum Monday during the day at the South Foxboro Fellowship Hall in Foxborough.

Organizer Stephanie Crimmins said the daytime forum was to allow people who wouldn't be able to attend the night meetings a chance to hear what the group has to say. The open house attracted senior citizens, and a table was set for  children who attended with their parents.

“The turnout was great,” said Crimmins. “We had a lot of new people who were undecided. They are coming in to talk with us and obtain information.”

The forum came days after Wynn sent a DVD and a brochure to Foxborough citizens, showing the design for the casino and explaining his reasons for wanting to build it on Route 1 across from Patriot Place on land owned by Robert Kraft.

“I wasn't impressed by it,” said Crimmins.

Joan Stafford has lived in town for 45 years, and was one of the people at Monday's forum.

“The more I look into it, the more I'm against it,” said Stafford, who watched the DVD sent to her.

Stafford was concerned that the changes that occurred when casinos were built in Connecticut (notably the number of people it brought to the area) will happen in Foxborough.

“This is something we should stay away from,” said Stafford, who has visited Las Vegas and several other casino spots.

Crimmins said people stop her throughout town with questions about the casino and what is going on.

“This is all about a grassroots effort,” said Crimmins. “There are more people really looking at the issues.”

Crimmins is looking for the upcoming selectmen race to play a key factor in the casino.

“They will be working hard to change the composition of the board,” said Crimmins. “It will be a referendum on the casino.”