Here in Springfield, police say the problem is heroin.

“Heroin is at an all time high right now,” says Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney. “About 20 years ago, heroin was sold on the streets of Springfield for about $35 a bag — right now it’s being sold at about $5 a bag.”

At that price, heroin is easily accessible.

With so many people turning to the drug for a cheaper high — police want to hold suspected dealers like Luis Andino accountable.

“He was arrested for selling drugs at 12 Grove Street with his partner,” says Delaney. “Detectives were on surveillance, they watched them make several sales, they moved in and made an arrest and low and behold, he had a bunch of heroin on him.”

Police say Andino was carrying 23 bags of heroin.

He was charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute. But police say, he missed his court date. Now, the Springfield narcotics unit is actively looking him.

They say his last know address is on Brookline Avenue in Springfield.

If you know Andino’s whereabouts, call the Springfield Police Department or text an anonymous tip to C-R-I-M-E-S.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — Police say 21-year-old Brandon Collins of Springfield is wanted for three seperate domestic cases.

The first occurred on October 18, 2012, when officers were dispatched to a home on Wallace Street. Police say Collins beat up his girlfriend — pushing her into a shed and leaving her with injuries that required medical attention.

“So there’s an abuse prevention order violation and an assault and battery charge on that particular case,” says Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney. “A few days later, he went to her house after the restraining order was given against him, got into her house somehow and he stole three suitcases of the victim’s clothing.”

Police say there’s still not sure why he took the clothes, nevertheless they issued another warrant.

“There’s also another warrant related to this case for breaking and entering, so three separate crimes for this guy,” says Delaney. “Our warrant apprehension unit is in the process of looking for him now.”

Officers say Collins has a history with the Springfield Police Department for previous cases of assault and battery, as well as abuse prevention orders.

If you know Brandon Collins’ whereabouts, call the Springfield Police Department or text an anonymous tip to C-R-I-M-E-S.

The new design is for the exterior of the proposed $807 million casino and hotel.

It includes an outdoor patio dining area and plaza area outside the entrance to the hotel creating a more seamless link between the casino and Main Street and downtown Springfield.

Penn National says this will help encourage visitors to venture into the downtown area.

The updated design incorporates feedback from the city received during the negotiation process.

Penn National’s proposed project includes a Hollywood-branded destination casino resort.

It is partnering with Peter Picknelly, Chief Executive Officer of Peter Pan Bus Lines, on the project that would be located on 13.4 acres of land on Main Street in the north end of Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno has announced that the city will negotiate host agreements with both companies vying for a possible casino in Springfield.

In a statement issued Monday, Sarno, who consulted with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, his own review of the documents, and the city’s outside consultants, says that the city will immediately begin negotiating agreements with MGM Resorts International and Penn National Gaming, who has partnered with Springfield businessman Peter Picknelly.

“After careful review and consideration of the proposals submitted by MGM and Penn [Joint Venture] in response to the City’s Phase II-Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals, I have decided that both proposals have qualified to proceed to this next step in the selection process.” Sarno says in a statement.

Penn National is proposing a “Hollywood” branded casino in the city’s North End on land now occupied by The Republican newspaper and the Peter Pan bus terminal.

On the other end of town, MGM is proposing a casino in the South End, on property to the west side of Main Street, some of which was damaged during the June 2011 tornado.

Reaching a deal on a host agreement between a casino developer and a city or town is a key step in the process of granting one of the three possible casino licenses by the Mass. Gaming Commission.

However, the city notes that just because they are beginning negotiations with both firms does not guarantee that they will reach an agreement with either firm.

If an agreement is reached, it will need approval of the City Council and the city’s voters as part of a binding referendum question.

The tribe has no reservation lands of its own and has asked the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for approval to put the 146-acre site in Taunton into federal trust. To win the designation, they must prove both historic and modern ties to the land.

The report, obtained by the Cape Cod Times, says the Mashpee tribe is what’s left of a larger tribe that once dominated southeastern Massachusetts, but was decimated in the 17th century King Philip’s War. The report includes maps and documents linking the tribe to Cohannut, the Indian name for Taunton.

The report was prepared by anthropologist Kathleen Bragdon from the College of William and Mary.

——

Information from: Cape Cod (Mass.) Times, http://www.capecodonline.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — People in Springfield will have to wait a little longer before knowing whether one or two casino proposals will be on the ballot.

Earlier today, we learned that the city needs more time before it decides whether to pursue an agreement with its casino applicants.

Friday, January 25th was the deadline the city originally set to announce whether MGM or Penn National or both were still in the game.

MGM is proposing an $800 million casino for the city’s South End, while Penn National Gaming wants to build an $800 million casino in the North End, at a site that would involve the taking of the Peter Pan bus station and The Republican building.

But as January 25th arrived, the city said it needed more time to evaluate the proposals from the two casino applicants.

There are a wide range of issues to consider ranging from the exterior look of the casinos to traffic and infrastructure questions.

Here’s just one example: “Union Street …which borders the MGM proposal had 16 water main breaks. That’s an interesting issue when you look at a casino that needs to be operating that would be the area. They would be entering or possible an area where their 18 wheelers and supply traffic comes from,” says Springfield’s Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy.

Now that the Mayor has delayed the host agreement issue, Kennedy was asked if that will have an impact on when voters will have their say.

“There’s a schedule we’re going on. The city council has to do their work and the gaming commission has to do their work, so we’re hoping everything comes together in the June time frame. It could be a little later than that but we’re hoping for June,” Kennedy adds.

Ultimately agreements with one or both companies would need the okay from Mayor Sarno, the city council, and finally the voters of Springfield.

MGM and Penn National had submitted their phase one applications on January 3rd after getting a three week delay.

Kennedy says that delay played into today’s delay the city needs to continue evaluating both proposals,

Since that time, the city’s casino consultant and two mayor-appointed review boards have been looking at the proposals.

BOSTON (WGGB) — The Mass. Gaming Commission has denied three requests for extensions of the application deadline from entities that had an interest in a possible western Mass. project.

Late Tuesday afternoon, just before the application deadline was reached, the gaming commission received four petitions for a waiver of the deadline and asked for an extension to file their applications.

The three western Mass. petitions were from Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette on behalf of the city, WM Development (Paper City Development) and Good Sam’s Casino, which was looking for a project in Holyoke.

Commissioner James McHugh says that there are two provisions in the legislation that would allow the board to grant extensions. The first being that there would be an extraordinary circumstance to grant the extension and that the commission has the power to modify or any part of the regulations including deadlines, so long as it doesn’t negatively impact the licensing process.

Mayor Bissonnette asked for the extension in part because he indicated that a casino developer had a downtown property “under option” and wanted to ensure they got the best possible chance.

Paper City Development indicated in their request that the on-again, off-again casino discussions in Holyoke with Mayor Alex Morse made it difficult for them to get a casino partner.

Good Sam’s was looking for a 4 to 6 month extension for a possible project in Holyoke.

After a brief discussion on each of three western Mass. petitions, the commission held a separate vote on each, and each time unanimously voted 5-0 to deny the extension requests.

In response to that decision, Paper City Development Managing Partner, Joe Lashinger gave ABC40 News the following statement:

“We respect the opinion of the MGC. Given our three years and seven-figure investment in Holyoke we owed this effort to our supporters. After Mayor Morse’s initial rejection of a Hard Rock Paper City Development for Holyoke, we worked  hard to find other sites in Western Massachusetts. When Mayor Morse restarted the casino issue in Holyoke, even so late in the process last November, we had an obligation to return to Holyoke. We added to our proposal of the Wyckoff Country Club site, including the optioning of 17 acres in Downtown and an important co-development venture with the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club of their Mt. Tom site for an environmental recreational facility – an alliance that would preserve the HB&G’s mission statement in the city. We are sorry for the HB&G, and for those people in Holyoke that wanted this economic development. The people of Holyoke never had the opportunity to hear our plans at the Mayor’s December 21^st public presentation date as publicized. We feel badly for the people of Holyoke who want an opportunity to vote either for or against a casino proposal for their city. The Mayor as he stated in his letter today to the MGC is the sole voice on this despite the City Council’s vote Tuesday to place the question on the ballot.  We sincerely wish the Mayor well in his decision to cultivate a different arts and cultural economy in Holyoke. Hopefully those efforts will result in the $20 – $22 million in tax revenue and $2000 dollars in residential property tax reduction for homeowners that our proposal would have brought to the city according to tax experts and Holyoke’s Treasurer and City Assessor.”

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse who had written a letter to the gaming commission opposing Paper City’s request for an extension said Thursday afternoon he was pleased by the gaming commission’s action.

So right now there are four Western Massachusetts casino proposals. MGM and Penn National in Springfield, Mohegan Sun in Palmer, and Hard Rock International for the Big E in West Springfield.

(AMHERST, Mass.) (WGGB)– Now that  four developers have submitted  their application fees to the state gaming commission for a Western Massachusetts casino, the effort intensifies to win a license.

Mohegan Sun wants to build a casino in Palmer off the Massachusetts Turnpike.

On Monday, Mohegan Sun submitted its 400-thousand dollar  non-refundable application fee to the gaming commission.

On Wednesday, CEO Mitchell Etess,  spoke to the Amherst area chamber of commerce.

Etess says of the four casino proposals in Western Massachusetts he feels Mohegan Sun’s is the  best,”We know what works for this part of the country, and frankly that is the rural casino model , the rural casino is what this whole bill is based on, it’s the reason this is happening in Massachusetts because the casinos in Connecticut did well ,” says Etess.

Local businesses want to hear more about how a casino could impact them says Tony Maroulis, Executive Director of the Amherst area chamber of commerce,”Here in Hampshire County we bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors a year so there is a concern among some what will this do to our downtowns, what will this do to the traditional tourism locations up in this neck of the woods,” says Maroulis.

Mohegan Sun is proposing a 600-million dollar casino complex in Palmer.

The 0ther three Western Massachusetts proposals MGM and Penn National in Springfield and Hard Rock in West Springfield fall into the 800-million dollar category.

But Etess is confident about Mohegan Sun’s  chances,”What I can tell you is the 600-million dollar number is for the casino itself, the hotel and things that traditionally go along with the casino but we believe there’s some adjacent land that our landlord also has control of that we intend to utilize and develop,” says Etess.

Development that Etess says will make Mohegan Sun a more regional destination.

BOSTON (WGGB) – Two local developers and a local mayor asked the state for an extension to file a casino application.

Western Massachusetts Development Company, which is also known as Paper City Development, filed a request for an extension Tuesday afternoon with the state’s gaming commission, according to the group’s lawyer Paul Nicolai.

Companies had until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to file application paperwork necessary for the gaming commission to conduct background checks to be considered for one of the three possible casino licenses.

One of those licenses could be granted to a project in western Massachusetts.

Western Mass. Development is looking for a 30 day extension after the Mass. Special Senate general election, whenever that is scheduled by the state.

The date, Nicolai says, is due in part based on Tuesday night’s vote by the Holyoke City Council, for a non-binding question for a casino project.

Nicolai notes that Western Mass. Development had difficulty getting their application complete because the several changes in direction about talks of a possible casino in Holyoke by Mayor Alex Morse.

Also filing a request for an extension Tuesday was Chiopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette, who tells ABC40 that he too sent a letter to the gaming commission asking for an extension.

Bissonnette says that a casino developer has a downtown Chicopee site “under option” and in order for that firm to have the best chance of finding a casino partner and to be granted a gaming license, he is asking on the city’s behalf for an extension to the application deadline.

“So we would like a fair chance to let these folks be able to bring in a operator and see what develops,” said Michael Bissonnette.

Tha Gaming Commission’s regulations allow them to grant extensions after careful consideration.

“In the first place there is no waiver until we get a formal application and decide to do that,” said Stephen Crosby, Chairman State Gaming Commission.

Crosby says a waiver could delay the license process and is a factor they will consider when they review the requests.

“It’s a sign it’s still competitive and that there were still parties and they are looking around for either host communities or they were trying to line up their investors and get a good solid application,” said Bruce Stebbins, commissioner.

The commission could take up the issue at their next meeting on Thursday.

Good Sam is also requesting an extension according to Elaine B. Driscoll, Director of Communications, Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse released a statement on the application deadline which reads in part:

“I’m very pleased that Paper City Development failed to submit their application by today’s deadline. I expect the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to deny their request for an extension. I don’t see why any gaming operator would come to Holyoke given my position, as it’s a dead issue in Holyoke. ”

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission will release details on phase two in the coming months.

According to City Councilor Anthony Soto, while it wasn’t a unanimous vote, they did decide in favor tonight of placing a non-binding ballot question before residents that would ask a yes or no question on allowing a casino in Holyoke.

“Allow the people to vote. If the people want it let them speak and say we want it. If they don’t want it, it will set it to rest, but allow the people to vote,” says Soto.

He adds that Mayor Morse has the right to veto their decision if he chooses, but then they would have the opportunity to override his veto.

Morse currently does not want a casino in the city.

A number of residents who attended the meeting did speak up about the non-binding ballot question vote both in support and non-support.

While no casino developer is proposing a venue in the city of Holyoke at this time, it could still happen before the casino competition ends.  Any one of the 11 casino developers, who submitted their non-refundable $400,000 application fee to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, can change their proposal location if they choose.

In other words, the application does not bind them to the locations they have currently chosen, it just gives them the ability to stay in the casino race.

No decision has been made yet on when the non-binding ballot question will be put before voters.

BOSTON (WGGB) – At a press conference Tuesday night, Mass. Gaming Commission chairman Stephen Crosby and members of the committee announced that they have received applications and fees from 11 companies looking for a casino or slot parlor in the Commonwealth.

“The Massachusetts legislation drafted the Expanded Gaming Act prioritizing competition as key criteria. The gaming commission has vigorously carried that charge forward resulting in the achievement of a gaming competition that is robust and primed to obtain that absolute maximum benefits in job creation and economic growth to the residents of the commonwealth,” said Crosby.

For Western Massachusetts, it was already announced prior to Tuesday that four companies had submitted their applications and the $400,000 non-refundable application fee.

Those four were Hard Rock International, Penn National Gaming, MGM Resorts International, and Mohegan Sun.

Heading to the eastern part of the state, casino mogul Steve Wynn submitted an application for a proposed project in Everett, while Caesars Entertainment is looking to partner with Suffolk Downs for a casino in East Boston.

Three other applicants that are seeking a casino license include Mass. Gaming and Entertainment, PPE Casino Resorts, and Crossroads Massachusetts LLC.

The Associated Press reports that Baltimore-based PPE Casino Resorts has not yet selected a site for their project, while Mass. Gaming and Entertainment indicated to the AP that they too haven’t selected an exact site, but were looking at sites in the Boston area.

Crossroads is also looking at a project in the Boston area.

Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville and the owners of Raynham Track submitted applications for slot parlors at their tracks.

ABC40 is at the press conference in Boston and will have more on today’s developments, including news that Paper City Development and Chicopee’s mayor have asked for an extension, tonight on ABC40 News First on FOX and ABC40 News at 11:00 p.m.

By BOB SALSBERG, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Some potential casino developers appear to be hedging their bets as a key deadline approaches in Massachusetts.

The state gambling commission says any company that is interested in seeking a license to operate a resort casino or slots parlor has until 5 p.m. Tuesday to submit an initial application along with a non-refundable, $400,000 entry fee.

Seven companies are already in.

Mohegan Sun, Penn National Gaming, MGM International and Hard Rock are seeking a casino license for western Massachusetts.

Wynn Resorts and Suffolk Downs have set their sights on the eastern Massachusetts license.

The Plainridge harness race track in Plainville is applying for the single slots parlor license.

It’s likely that one or more additional suitors will apply before the 5 p.m. deadline.

That’s according to Mayor Michael Bissonnette who spoke with our Reporter, Brendan Monahan this afternoon about what’s happening in Chicopee when it comes to the casino race.

Bissonnette told ABC40 News that he met with a potential casino developer earlier today.  That developer is currently seeking a casino partner but is still interested in building a downtown Chicopee casino along the riverfront.

He would not elaborate on who that developer was though.

At various times over the past few years, Bissonnette says he entered talks about a possible gaming venue in the city with a number of casino developers including MGM, Ameristar, Hard Rock, and Penn National Gaming.

The application deadline for casino developers to get a Massachusetts Casino License is tomorrow at 5 p.m. and they must submit a nonrefundable fee of $400,000 to qualify.

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB) — The casino discussion continued Monday night despite Mayor Alex Morse being strongly against a casino.

The City Council Subcommittee on Redevelopment heard about the possible impacts of a casino in the region and discussed ways of getting information on the projects out to the public.

“Nothing is over until western Mass. gets one license,” said Joe McGiverin, Holyoke City Councilor.

The committee will contact Paper City Development and Eric Suher of Mountain Park to see if they are interested in making presentations at a public forum. Once the committee hears back from the developers they’ll vote to officially schedule the forum.

“I think it’s important the voters of Holyoke hear what the proposal were … so they can at least understand what the plus and minuses would be for Holyoke itself,” said McGiverin.

Meantime, the people of Holyoke may have their chance to weigh in. Some councilors are hoping to attach a non-binding ballot question to the special U.S. Senate Election. It would ask the people of Holyoke to vote yes or no for a casino.

“Allow the people to vote. If the people want it let them speak and say we want it. If they don’t want it, it will set it to rest, but allow the people to vote,” said Anthony Soto, Holyoke City Councilor.

“This would put it on the ballot so the citizens could once again express their views,” said Linda Vacon, Holyoke City Councilor.

The vote is set for Tuesday night during the full city council meeting.

Even if they vote in favor of the ballot question the final decision to negotiate with a casino developer remains with the mayor.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — Springfield residents citywide will be able to vote on a host agreement with casino developers.

The decision was made by the Springfield City Council tonight according to our crew who was on scene at their meeting at City Hall.

Discussion on whether to have a citywide or ward specific vote has been on the table for some time in Springfield.

The City Council Planning and Economic Development Committee held meetings with the public throughout the fall to get a general consensus on whether every Springfield resident gets a say or just those who live in the area where a casino is being proposed.

At the time, City Councilor Bud Williams explained to ABC40 News, “The consensus has overwhelmingly been a city wide vote, but we want to engage all the neighborhoods in the city.  We want transparency. We want all the neighborhoods to participate in this process.”

Last Week, both MGM and Penn National Gaming filed their applications for a casino in the city.

Mayor Sarno is scheduled to decide by January 25th whether he intends to negotiate a host community agreement with one or both casino companies.

No date has been set yet for when this citywide vote will take place.

Casino overlay on ESE property

AGAWAM, Mass (WGGB) –

Mayor Richard Cohen says Agawam handles 17 days of traffic from the Big E every year. It’s the other 348 he’s worried about if the Big E builds a Hard Rock Casino.

“I’m not saying I’m for it or I’m against, but I do know our community voted it down in the past and I have my concerns as to the traffic and the impact,” Cohen said.

Cohen formed a three person casino effect committee to represent the town’s interests. It includes City Councilor Paul Cavallo, School Committee member Wendy Rua, and City Clerk Richard Thoreau.

“I wanted the three people to sit at the table with Big E, with Hard Rock, and any other interested parties,” Cohen said.

One of Cohen’s biggest concerns: How the casino could hurt Six Flags, he says the company has worked to improve local roads and is generous to town charities.

“Hard rock, as we know, part of their plan is to build a venue and to have performances there- named performances,” Cohen said. “That can cut into six flags. The traffic congestion can cut into Six Flags.”

Town officials acknowledge they have no say in if a casino comes to the Big E or not. They can only promise one thing:

“We’re pleased that they invited us in and we’re going to be at the table, and we’re going to fight for the town of Agawam,” Thoreau said.

Big E President and CEO Eugene Cassidy said in a statement today “The Big E and Hard Rock are working on a comprehensive traffic mitigation plan that will improve traffic in both Agawam and West Springfield and the casino project will be the catalyst for providing funding to improve the traffic situation for both communities which previously has not been addressed due to the lack of federal and state funding available to resolve these issues.”

(Artist Rendering of Proposed Mohegan Sun Project)

PALMER, Mass. (WGGB) — Aside from a small store front in Palmer, Mohegan Sun has been keeping fairly quiet for the last few months. But all that changed today.

Mohegan Sun announced Monday afternoon that they have filed their formal application to the Mass. Gaming Commission and submitted their $400,000 non-refundable application fee.

“This is an important day for Mohegan Sun, for Western Massachusetts and the entire Commonwealth. Today, we take the next critical step in fulfilling our commitment to bringing new jobs and economic growth to the region. It’s our intent to be the first casino to open its doors in Massachusetts,” says Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council.

“It does concern me when you wait right until the end and I think it’s kind of a disturbing thing and I’m not sure we had to go through that,” says Paul Burns, Palmer Town Councilor at Large. “It certainly had raised concerns among my constituents and that was an issue for me and many in Palmer.”

Burns adds, “I think that’s behind us now that they’ve stepped up and paid the fee.”

The news Monday comes as Mohegan Sun also announced that they have created a “strategic partnership” with New York-based investment advisor Brigade Capital Management to build the resort casino on over 100 acres of land located just off the Mass. Turnpike in Palmer.

According to a statement, “Brigade will invest capital into the corporate entity that is being established” for the project.

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority CEO Michael Etess adds, “Brigade Capital Management will be a great partner and important asset to this project. They are experienced as institutional investment partners on gaming projects in several states across the U.S., and understand the business that Mohegan Sun has been successful in for 16 years.”

“I think with an announcement like this and their ability to really develop a first-class project with that kind of backing, I think that puts them back in the front runner’s seat,” says Burns.

But there are some people in Palmer who are worried about what might happen if Mohegan Sun gets that license.

“They laid off over 300 people a few months ago, and they’re having serious financial problems there,” says Emy Shepherd of Quaboag Valley Against Casinos.

Shepherd speculates that instead of bringing in revenue, an in-town casino will tempt Palmer residents to throw their rent and grocery money into slot machines.

Mohegan Sun says a resort-casino would create thousands of jobs and attract gamblers from all over New England.

“In Palmer, we’re going to share the economic developments along a corridor from Worcester to Springfield, and I think that’s a huge impact and I think that’s going to provide for a much greater economic development impact,” says Burns.

Back in 2007, Mohegan Sun was the first company to express an interest in building a casino in Western Massachusetts, long before the expanded gaming legislation was passed last year.

Since then, two projects have also been proposed for Springfield – one by MGM Resorts International, and one by Penn National Gaming.

Last week, Hard Rock International released their proposed plans for a project in West Springfield.

Hard Rock, MGM, and Penn National have all already submitted their applications and fees to the gaming commission.

Any developer interested in building a casino in Massachusetts has until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to submit their paperwork and fees.

Aerial View

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WGGB) –

Hard Rock Casinos brought the glitz and the glamour Friday while announcing their plans for a resort style casino at the Big E. They invited all the nearby business owners to their presentation, but Memo’s Restaurant owner Dominic Pompi says they didn’t address the parking and traffic issues.

“They told us that they are working on it and obviously that’s a major obstacle that we are all waiting to hear about,” Pompi said.

Pompi says he hasn’t made up his mind if he’s for or against he casino yet. His focus is on his customers.

“What kind of traffic is it going to create if they take away the Big E parking lot and put the casino,” Pompi said. “Where are they going to go and how is it going to affect my regular customers?”

While mostly everyone agrees that a Big E Casino will affect Memorial Avenue businesses here in West Springfield. The Big E says it will be for the better.

“All of my friends on Memorial Avenue are going to do well,” President and CEO of the Big E Eugene Cassidy said. “You have to think of the number of employees that they have on their properties. At break time, at shift changes.”

Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen says he likes the idea of a secondary roadway to connect the casino, but doesn’t know where.

“I think it’s a little premature to say specifically because I think the right thing to do is the study,” Allen said. “Work with the mayor’s new commission on obviously gaming and then specific concerns on traffic and parking.”

West Springfield Police Chief Ronald Campurciani says he has questions about how a Springfield casino would affect the town. He has even more questions if Hard Rock builds at the Big E.

“Clearly if it’s here, we’re going to have a lot to say as far as manpower in order to fight those issues that may come up so those are things that we are going to have to look at,” Campurciani said.

Meantime, across the river in Agawam, EB’s Restaurant owner Ed Borgatti says he is in favor of the casino, saying it will bring business to the area while keeping the majesty of the annual Big E fair in the fall.

“There’s so much community and so much New England atmosphere that I think they are not going to lose, they are going to understand,” Borgatti said. “They always say you know remember where you came from and I think the Big E will do that.”

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — The news of Hard Rock’s interest in building a casino in West Springfield is the talk across the Valley.

ABC40′s Dave Madsen talked with Eastern States Exposition President and CEO Eugene Cassidy about today’s announcement, traffic concerns, and how today’s announcement pays homage to the fairgrounds past.

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — Resort casinos are long known for drawing big name entertainment.

That was the case Friday when Hard Rock International announced their plans to partner with Eastern States Exposition for a possible casino on the fairgrounds.

One of those artists is 80′s rocker, turned reality television star, Bret Michaels of “Poison” who actually performed at The Big E back in 2009.

Watch as Michaels opens Friday’s presentation at the Eastern States Exposition with “Your Momma Don’t Dance.”