Gambling Opponents Paying People to Attend Rally // PLUS: MGM CEO Asks Maryland Customers to "Vote For" Question 7

QUESTION 7 OPPONENTS PAYING FOR RALLY ATTENDEES: Yesterday, an anonymous reader forwarded Maryland Juice evidence that interests who are pushing a "vote against" gambling expansion (Question 7) are paying people to attend a protest rally. They sent us a link to the following Craigslist ad:

Here's the text of the ad if you click on the link:

Rally participant/filler-1 hour paid gig (Upper Marlboro)

Date: 2012-09-30, 4:25PM EDT
Reply to this post CausesAreUs@gmail.com

"NO TO QUESTION 7" GRASSROOTS RALLY

One day, 1.5 hour project. You will be a rally participant. Duties are to stand in crowd, clap, cheer, hold a sign and be on time. Children are welcome. No further commitment. Payment at end of the rally.

Serious inquiries and candidates only. Referral bonus added to your pay if you refer others who sign up and participate or come as a group of 3 or more.

Tuesday October 2, 2012  9:15 am to 10:30 am in Upper Marlboro. Bus transportation provided from some areas.

Apply by Monday, October 1st until 11:00 pm at CausesAreUs@gmail.com.

Causes Are Us represents many non-profit, entertainment, political, community events and causes. To continue being contacted for short term opportunities, send your name, email, 2 phone numbers and general availability to CausesAreUs@gmail.com.
Location: Upper Marlboro

Compensation: $25-45 per person
PostingID: 3307205468

Notably, the date and time mentioned in the ad above do indeed coincide with a "No to Question 7" rally being advertised in Prince George's County. See the rally advertisement below:

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT COALITION

“NO TO QUESTION 7” GRASSROOTS

A PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COMMUNITY FAITH BASED INITIATIVE

4725 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland

240.350.4373

MEDIA ADVISORY
September 28, 2012
For Immediate Release

Contact: Melvin Forbes, President, Community Empowerment Coalition (CEC)

“No to Question 7” grassroots community rally press conference scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Tuesday October 2, 2012 at the County Administration Building, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 20772-3050.

Free Bus transportation will be provided departing 8:30 a.m. from 4725 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, Maryland. To ride this bus to voice your opposition to “Question 7” please R.S.V.P. CEC at 240.350.4374 by 3:00 p.m. Sunday September 30, 2012.

The Washington Post's John Wagner beat me to the punch writing up this unusual twist in the Question 7 saga. He contacted the event organizers, but of course, nobody is taking responsibility for the ad (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: ...the organizers claimed to have nothing to do with the ad — and no one else exactly stepped forward to take responsibility either....

MGM ACTIVATES ITS EMAIL LIST OF CUSTOMERS IN MARYLAND: Meanwhile, Question 7 supporters are also pulling out all the stops to get gambling expansion approved in Maryland. A Maryland Juice reader who happens to be on casino company MGM's email list forwarded us the following email blast. Hat tip: @NextGenPersuade. Our source included the following comment: "Thought this would interest you -- MGM just blasted their loyalty club list re Question 7. I'm not at all an active member, either." See the message below:

From: MGM Resorts International <lasvegas@hotel.mgmresorts.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 9:52 PM
Subject: A Special Message from MGM CEO, Jim Murren

October 1, 2012

Dear Juice, 

Thank you for your continued patronage of MGM Resorts International destinations. I hope you are enjoying the benefits of our M life membership and taking full advantage of all that it offers. 

Our Maryland M life members have an opportunity this November. As you probably are aware, the Maryland Legislature passed a bill that placed a referendum question on the ballot that allows for a sixth gaming site in Prince George’s County and table games, such as poker and blackjack, at all Maryland facilities. 

I hope you will consider voting FOR Question 7 this November. Expanding Maryland’s gaming industry will create 2,000 construction jobs, 4,000 permanent jobs, and 6,000 combined tourism and table game jobs. It will also generate hundreds of millions for education and keep Maryland competitive with West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware -- each year, Maryland loses over $500 million dollars to these neighboring states. 

If Question 7 passes, MGM Resorts International would bid to bring a world class destination resort facility to Maryland. We want Marylanders to experience the same type of multi-faceted, destination resort you enjoy when visiting our luxury resorts in Las Vegas with four star hotels, top entertainment and dining offerings, luxurious spas and high end retail. We are prepared to submit a bid to develop an $800 million resort at National Harbor. We feel we would bring new depth to the state’s current gaming offerings, which would attract new customers. 

This is an important issue at an important time for Maryland. We believe so strongly in this opportunity that we are opening an office at National Harbor so we can meet with the community and help voters understand all that a MGM destination resort can offer. We also want Marylanders to know what a good community partner MGM Resorts can be. 

We also encourage you to visit the coalition website: FOR Maryland Jobs and Schools:www.voteforseven.com, or click here to follow the coalition on Facebook or on Twitter.

Thanks for your time and, again, thank you for being a valued member of M life. 

Sincerely, 


Jim Murren 
Chairman and CEO 
MGM Resorts International 

Authorized by FOR Maryland Jobs & Schools, Inc, Tim O'Brien, Treasurer.

 MORE ON THE QUESTION 7 BATTLE SOON!