Hey there, Bunkie. Do you remember how you wanted a casino for a minute or two and then nothing happened in your town and it went to Springfield? Do you recall how you were sad for a little bit dreaming of a flow of money and jobs that you missed having?

But now you’re happy because big bad Springfield is all twisted up because MGM can’t afford to build everything it promised because too much time has passed between the announcement of its resort and the actual construction.

Is that what’s making you grin just a bit, cousin?

I can’t help but believe that some people in Chicopee, Palmer, Holyoke, Westfield and West Springfield now think they have dodged a big bullet because the casino developments talked about for their communities never got off the ground. They see what is happening in Springfield and they’re sighing in relief.

What has set off the newest set of snarky comments is the lack of communications between MGM and the mayor’s office and the mayor’s office and the City Council.

This week’s confusion had to do with the status of the site plan and just what MGM head honcho James Murren was flying in from Las Vegas to talk about.

Come on folks, this stuff shouldn’t be happening.

The MGM folks as well as Mayor Domenic Sarno understand the best way to create additional support through the city and region is by working through changes before they become public relations problems.

The only way to do that is by speaking to one another.

Here’s another public relations hint for MGM: this is Springfield’s first casino. You folks may know the drill, but it’s our initial trip to the rodeo. Talk to us. Pick up a phone. Send us an email.

A number of people have asked me my opinion as someone who has covered this story from day one. I’ve been asked if I think the casino will ever be a reality. Will it just be a Butler building with a bunch of slot machines? Har-de-har-har.

Now I’m not Kreksin or Criswell. I don’t use a horoscope or read tea leaves, but my answer is that I am convinced the MGM casino will be a reality and aside from the tower hotel the city will get pretty much what it has been promised: an urban casino/entertainment complex with “wow factor” that should draw visitors into the downtown.

I believe city officials should be asking questions, should be receiving assurances and should be acting as the checks and balances for this project. I applaud them for their scrutiny.

Having said that, I also believe that some of the local brouhaha is motivated by the political season.

I’m no casino guy, as any one of my friends would tell you. Heck, I’ve never even been to the two Connecticut casinos. I have no interest in them.

I do have a strong interest in the area I call my home – the Pioneer Valley and Springfield, specifically. I want the casino to succeed, as the last thing we need is a failed 14-acre development in the heart of the fourth largest city in New England.

So, let’s be vigilant. Let’s make sure MGM keeps its promises and let’s pray this casino is going to be a success.

And the folks who enjoy knocking Springfield? Funnel all of that energy into something positive. Life is too short.

Beer and politics

I want to thank Bob Flaherty and Denise Vozella of WHMP for including me in a truly memorable political debate last week in Holyoke.

The matchup between the mayoral candidates – incumbent Alex Morse and challenger Fran O’Connell – was different because of the format.

Although there were standard elements such as opening and closing remarks, this debate allowed panelists to ask questions, the candidates to rebut and then the panelists to jump back in to ask for additional clarification.

You can listen to it yourself at whmp.com/podcasts/holyoke-mayoral-debate-election-2015.

The result was the closest that has occurred to a moderated conversation between Morse and O’Connell and one that should give voters a better understanding of both candidates.

I’m grateful the two candidates consented to participating in such a format that required them to work without a net much of the time.

And I’ve never done a forum of this type broadcasted live with an audience from a venue that sells beer. I did not indulge, though. It wouldn’t have been prudent.

I think the argument could be made that more political debates could be improved with the addition of alcohol.

Agree? Disagree? Drop me a line at news@thereminder.com or at 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. As always, this column represents the opinion of its author and not the publishers or advertisers of this newspaper.