Gambling drives people into depression, desperation, encourages violence and robs them of precious financial resources.

As the director of a professional orchestra, I’m also disturbed by the dangerous slide towards the economic, cultural and social wasteland being encouraged by the current gubernatorial administration.,Dear Editor,

Gambling drives people into depression, desperation, encourages violence and robs them of precious financial resources.

As the director of a professional orchestra, I’m also disturbed by the dangerous slide towards the economic, cultural and social wasteland being encouraged by the current gubernatorial administration. I’d like more financial support go to organizations who keep alive our history and traditions.

Arts programs will be devastated by the invasion of widespread casino-style gambling. Our history is being lost to future generations.

Entertainment line-ups at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun don’t contain classical music. Pop music doesn’t need this subsidization and extra visibility.

Gambling is a personal choice but like pop music, casino-style gambling doesn’t need our subsidization, especially as it takes our tax money to establish itself, then robs and debases us once more when we gamble.

-Harris Shilakowsky

Funder and Artistic Director

Bristol Chamber Orchestra