Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts

The Results Are In, But There is Still Work to Be Done

This brief episode of Small Town Big Racing is a follow-up to the special election to approve the location of a thoroughbred race track in Hardwick, MA. The vote was held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, with those opposed to the race track prevailing. With a total of 1,148 votes cast (about 57% of the registered voters in Hardwick, MA), the final results [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/01092023STEOfficial_Results.pdf] are: YES votes: 313 NO votes: 831 4 blank ballots returned This podcast was originally created to provide a source of information and a chance to share perspectives that dug deeper and looked beyond the high-level FAQs and mailers provided by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center LLC, owned by Commonwealth Racing, LLC, ID, and New England Horse Park LLC. This episode serves as a reminder that today no matter what your vote was, we all still live here, we all still belong to the same community, we are still neighbors, AND there is still work to be done. This little town is truly something special, and right now, we have the opportunity to come together and use the momentum that has been created to move forward and make it even better. It’s up to each of us to choose how we want to move forward. Thank you so much for listening to this podcast series, for sharing the episodes, and for supporting this small town. If you are interested in continuing to be involved in the growth, development, and well-being of this town, consider: * Joining the Hardwick Villages for responsible growth. You can find them via their website [https://hardwickisourhome.wixsite.com/savegoodfieldfarm], on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087627315488&mibextid=LQQJ4d] or email them at hardwickisourgome@gmail.com [hardwickisourgome@gmail.com] * Keeping up to date on town meetings and our local government by checking the town website regularly here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/] * Finding other ways to get involved and make connections by joining the Hardwick Virtual Common here [https://ljcohen.net/mailinglist/mail.cgi/list/hardwick/].

Opening our Doors to the Darker Side of Racing with Lauren Wojcik

This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features Lauren Wojcik, a Hardwick Resident and Pre-vet Student at Umass Amherst who has been immersed in the horse world since the age of 5 when she first began to show them. Lauren discusses some hard truths about racing culture and the inevitability of horse injuries and deaths. She raises concerns regarding a breeding facility in the same location as a race track and points out some key logistical questions that are not being discussed openly by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center. Most importantly, as someone from a younger generation, Lauren encourages everyone, no matter how old you are or where you are in life, to take the time to truly understand what you are voting for and what is really at stake. If you are still on the fence and trying to decide what you will be voting for come January 7th, or you are someone who feels as though this isn't your problem, take a listen to this episode. Related Resources and Links: Causes of Death in Racehorses Over a 2 year Period [//Causes of death in racehorses over a 2 year period] (PubMed research article) Mental health difficulties among professional jockeys: a narrative review [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8057557/] (PubMed research article) Download the COMPLETE proposal here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEACApplication9-30-22.pdf] (The Application Submitted to Mass Gaming) The draft HCA is available here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEAC_HardwickHCA_FirstDraft.pdf] Watch the December 19, 2022 Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting [https://youtu.be/CvxP7SMme30] (Fast Forward to 48-49 minutes for the panel presentations from those for and against the proposal) Gross Inaccuracies in the Commonwealth Racing Q&A Document [https://hardwickisourhome.wixsite.com/savegoodfieldfarm/post/gross-inaccuracies-in-the-commonwealth-racing-q-a-posted-on-the-town-website?fbclid=IwAR1NajujYOGI7HAlaD31YMmhBxh2Df6QNPqIrMvsW0xDDUss4G2r8v4qWqw]

What's Not Being Talked About with Kaeli Raymond

This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features Hardwick resident Kaeli Raymond and a discussion that digs into the application for a sports wagering license that was submitted to the Massachusetts State Gaming Commission by Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center. Kaeli shares direct quotes and insightful information about what is NOT being talked about but is included in the application, as well as inconsistencies, questions, and concerns around the first Draft of the Host Community Agreement they have shared. This highlights the $500,00 promised to the town of Hardwick, the impact this track could have on the town, as well as some specific information regarding what they intend to spend money on as they begin hosting race days. Related Resources and Links: Download the COMPLETE proposal here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEACApplication9-30-22.pdf] The draft HCA is available here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEAC_HardwickHCA_FirstDraft.pdf] Watch the December 19, 2022 Hardwick Board of Selectmen Meeting [https://youtu.be/CvxP7SMme30] (Fast Forward to 48-49 minutes for the panel presentations from those for and against the proposal) Gross Inaccuracies in the Commonwealth Racing Q&A Document [https://hardwickisourhome.wixsite.com/savegoodfieldfarm/post/gross-inaccuracies-in-the-commonwealth-racing-q-a-posted-on-the-town-website?fbclid=IwAR1NajujYOGI7HAlaD31YMmhBxh2Df6QNPqIrMvsW0xDDUss4G2r8v4qWqw]

Our Constitutional Right to a Clean Environment with Ellen Anderson

In this episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts, we’re joined by Ellen Anderson, a resident of Petersham and a local Real Estate Appraiser specializing in Land Preservation. Ellen taps into her experience working with the APR Program here in Massachusetts as we discuss Article 97, the Massachusetts constitutional amendment that is meant to protect our right to a clean environment and authorize the Commonwealth to acquire conservation easements. This episode discusses the importance of land conservation in relation to the Commonwealth Equine and Agriculture Center’s proposal, how APR restrictions should be protecting this land, and highlights concerns regarding the precedent this could set should the development of this property be approved. Related Resources and Links: Download the COMPLETE proposal here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEACApplication9-30-22.pdf] The draft HCA is available here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEAC_HardwickHCA_FirstDraft.pdf] Slide show about APR's [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/MDAR_Slideshow.pdf] from MA Dept. of Agriculture Resources The Great Meadowbrook Farm Landvest Listing (includes original APR document) [https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.landvest.properties/projects/5780/806.MA2377__Great-Meadowbrook-Farm-Property-Profile--email-.pdf] Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program Details [https://www.mass.gov/service-details/agricultural-preservation-restriction-apr-program-details]  (Contact information for APR Staff is included here) How is Land Protected (Mass.gov) [https://www.mass.gov/service-details/how-is-land-protected] Article 97: Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (via Farmland Information Center) [https://farmlandinfo.org/law/article-97-constitution-of-the-commonwealth-of-massachusetts/]

The Ripple Effect of Horse Racing in Hardwick with Halley & Curtis Stillman

This episode of Small Town Big Racing in Massachusetts features a discussion with Halley and Curtis Stillman, owners of Still Life Farm, which is located right here in Hardwick, MA. We explore the impact Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center's proposal for a racetrack could have not just on Great Meadowbrook Farm and as it develops the land that falls under APR but also the impact on the town as a whole. From the development of other properties to the beginning of sports wagering in town and even the proposed Farm to Table Restaurant, Halley and Curtis make it clear that the ripple effects from this proposal will be felt throughout all the villages of Hardwick. If you are a consumer of local agriculture, are wondering how this could affect you, or are simply uncertain about where you stand, this episode is a great one to listen to. Related Resources and Links: Download the COMPLETE proposal here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEACApplication9-30-22.pdf] The draft HCA is available here [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/CEAC_HardwickHCA_FirstDraft.pdf] Slide show about APR's [https://www.townofhardwick.com/PDF/MDAR_Slideshow.pdf] from MA Dept. of Agriculture Resources The Great Meadowbrook Farm Landvest Listing (includes original APR document) [https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.landvest.properties/projects/5780/806.MA2377__Great-Meadowbrook-Farm-Property-Profile--email-.pdf] Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program Details [https://www.mass.gov/service-details/agricultural-preservation-restriction-apr-program-details]  (Contact information for APR Staff is included here)