November 7, 2006
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
By tonight, Ballot Question 1 will be decided. However, I am confident that I can count on all of the elected officials, law enforcement leaders, organizations, city/town boards and individuals who so tirelessly lobbied to defeat this question, to now support my initiative. Specifically, I look forward to support from Somerville Police Chief Robert Bradley and Mr. Ron Bersani, as both of these individuals were very outspoken on this issue.
Since tobacco and gambling are both age-restricted, it is imperative that as a society we limit those entities that can sell these dangerous products. The negative effects on our children and society as a whole are well-documented for both of these items.
Rather than having to worry about if that corner store or supermarket or racetrack is illegally selling a pack of cigarettes or a lottery ticket, I believe we are best served if we have one location only where these items can be purchased in Massachusetts. Therefore, I look forward to all of those groups and individuals who voiced opposition to Question 1 supporting my request that Massachusetts only allow the sale of cigarette and other tobacco products, and all types of gambling such as lottery tickets, pari-mutuel wagering, etc..., to one location in Massachusetts. The determination of the entity to receive this sole license will be by an auction with the winning bidder receiving a five-year license. Money received by Massachusetts for this license to be spent on educational programs that help our children to avoid these dangers.
Please contact me soon so that we can better protect ourselves.
