Casino Madness. EW First Selectman Blocks Steele From Speaking at Senior Center.
The fever is growing worse in East Windsor. First Selectman Robert Maynard, a Republican, has blocked former U.S. Representative Robert Steele, a vocal opponent of casino gaming, from speaking at the local senior center. The request for Steele to speak was made by anti-casino activist John Dunn, of Windsor.
Maynard confirmed his refusal to allow Steele to speak in an email Thursday morning, He wrote, “I did talk to John Dunn yesterday. I told him I would not approve a program for Mr. Steele at the Senior Center. As our conversation progressed, it became apparent he had his own agenda and did not care about our seniors or East Windsor.”
On Wednesday, Dunn described a call with Maynard in an email to fellow casino opponents:
All, I received a call back from Robert Maynard this morning. He will not allow Bob Steele to speak there, based upon the information in his book “The Curse:…..” and anti-casino presentation. The reason he gave is that this presentation / talk could upset the Seniors attending.
He gave an example that last year there was a speaker where a 99 yr. old woman attended, she died soon afterwards just before reaching her 100th birthday.
East Windsor leaders are losing their way, damaging themselves and their community in their pursuit of a casino. Let every voice be heard. If the proposal has the support of the people its supporters have nothing to fear from a rigorous discussion.