Feb. 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CASINO FREE MASS LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING DRIVE
ONE OF NATION’S TOP ANTI-CASINO STRATEGISTS TO AID CAMPAIGN
BOSTON – Casino Free Mass, the grassroots organization opposing Gov. Deval Patrick’s plan for three casinos in Massachusetts, today launched a major fundraising effort to help finance a statewide awareness campaign aimed at defeating the deceptive casino scheme.
At the same time, the organization announced it enlisted the aid of two seasoned political professionals with extensive experience in several successful anti-casino initiatives.
Doug Bailey of DBMediaStrategies of Boston will serve as campaign coordinator for Casino Free Mass. In 2006, Bailey was a consultant and spokesman for the “No On One” campaign that successfully defeated the statewide referendum to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in grocery and convenience stores despite being heavily outspent by worldwide retail food conglomerates.
Also joining the Casino Free Mass effort is Dennis Bailey, president of Savvy, Inc. of Portland, Maine, and executive director of CasinosNO! Regarded as one of the nation’s top anti-casino strategists, Bailey played a key role in defeating more than a half-dozen referenda for casinos in Maine and other states, including the successful effort in 2003 against a proposed tribal casino in Sanford, Maine. The Baileys are twin brothers.
“We know that the out-of-state casino forces are going to spend millions of dollars on lobbying and propaganda promoting a myth to legislators and the public that Massachusetts can gamble its way to prosperity,” said Richard Young, president of Casino Free Mass. “When we get the facts out about why this casino scheme is a very bad deal for the people of Massachusetts, we’ll win. We’re pleased to have the guidance and advice of two of the most experienced PR and political anti-casino veterans in New England.”
Casino Free Mass is a grassroots, public education initiative made up of engaged citizens connecting with their neighbors and several groups opposed to the casino plan, including the Massachusetts League of Women Voters, the Massachusetts Council of Churches, CasinoFacts.org, and others. Young noted that many other statewide organizations, including the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and the Massachusetts Taxpayers’ Alliance have also voiced serious concerns or outright opposition to the casino scheme.
“We’ll never match the money that the pro-casino forces will spend on getting this casino pig through the python,” said Young. “But we have the facts on our side and public has not yet been heard from in a big way. With help from the Baileys and the commitment of our contributors, those voices will be heard and this terrible casino proposal will be soundly defeated.”
The fundraising effort will begin with e-mail and direct mail appeals to casino opponents both in Massachusetts and in neighboring states. Donations are also accepted on the group’s website at www.casinofreemass.com Casino Free Mass is also planning a number of forums and fundraising events in the coming weeks.
For more information about Doug Bailey, go to www.dbmediastrategies.com. Information on Dennis Bailey is available at www.savvy-inc.com or www.casinosno.com.
Contact: Doug Bailey, 617-332-0700, 617-335-8135
The Casino Free Mass coalition include: The National Association on Mental Illness, Massachusetts Chapter; the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts; the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter; the Massachusetts Catholic Conference; the Massachusetts Council of Churches; the Massachusetts Family Institute; the Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford; the Muslim American Society, Boston Chapter; Casinofacts.org
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