“Overwhelmingly defeated”

Laura Crimaldi’s story in the Sunday Herald says that the casino was “overwhelmingly defeated” when it was finally put to a vote. This despite the fact that Middleborough officials were so disrespectful of the process that they staged a signing ceremony after the agreement with the Wampanoags was approved, but before the non-binding advisory question on the casino itself was put to the voters. No wonder people left early.

Sabutai’s account says that the show-of-hands vote on the casino was “much closer” than an earlier vote to cut off debate, but he doesn’t say how close. No doubt accounts will differ. I hope we see something more definitive. Not that the margin matters, but, symbolically, it would be helpful if everyone understands that people voted against the casino.

“When they got to vote their conscience, they did that,” casino opponent Richard Young is quoted as saying in Crimaldi’s account.

I love the way Sabutai ends: “The ball is in the General Court. May they prove to have more wisdom than the selectmen of Middleboro, more patience than its people, and more temperance than its moderator.”