State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, has issued a statement expressing her outrage over remarks made by Foxwoods Resort Casino CEO in a recent Boston Globe story.
“I’m outraged by these disrespectful remarks and encourage Derby and all seniors to boycott Foxwoods until they receive a public apology,” Gentile said.
“Mr. Butera’s statement was insensitive, insulting and uncalled for. Senior citizens have worked hard their entire lives. Targeting them now that economic times are tough is not acceptable. You never heard of an issue with seniors when Foxwoods was making money hand over fist.”
Below is a letter to Gentile and state Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby, from Derby Senior Center Executive Director Sarah Muoio:
Dear Representative Gentile and Representative Klarides,
Yesterday it was brought to my attention that an article was recently published in the Boston Globe that deeply offended the population we so closely work with.
The article entitled, "Should Massachusetts learn from Foxwoods?"(which I am attaching to this e-mail) provided a few direct quotations from Foxwoods Resort Casino's chief executive Scott Butera. In the article, Butera states "he can do without those stereotypical busloads of senior citizens who show up with walkers and oxygen tanks." Butera jokes, "We've dropped a lot of that...not for humane reasons...it's because those darn elders don't gamble away enough of their money to help Foxwoods reach its goal."
Many senior center directors, like myself, provide Foxwoods casino bus trips to our members. I have urged many of them to join me in boycotting Foxwoods by cancelling our bus trips and refraining from scheduling any trips that go to Foxwoods in the future. I will be moving any future trips to Mohegan Sun, a casino that does not seem to mind our seniors spending money there. By contacting the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and yourselves, I hope we can urge Foxwoods to terminate Mr. Butera. Offending the fastest growing population in the country is not good for business nor is it very respectful.
I think this heartless, insulting man should be terminated for his disrespectful comments.
Sarah Muoio
Executive Director
Derby Senior Center
293 Main St.
What do you think of Butera's remarks? Will you join a boycott of Foxwoods?
