Bellicose Bumpkin

But some say it is further evidence the casino ride is over. “This is not going to create the economic engine people relied on when they voted for this,’’ said Adam Bond, the former Middleborough selectman who helped draft the 2007 agreement between the tribe and the town.

“It’s gone from a Tiffany operation with an arena, restaurants, and a large hotel to a gin mill with a buffet table,’’ Bond continued. “A small casino with a little food and some rooms says ‘Go gamble and have hookers.’ ’’ Bond suggested local voter opinion on the recent plan be sought through a referendum.

Rich Young, president of both local and state anticasino citizens groups, agrees. “What the town was sold on was the promise of a quarter of a billion in infrastructure repair to water, sewer, and roads,’’ Young said. “That’s been the piece that would show they were serious, and none of it has been done.’’