Will casinos come to Western Mass?

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

Don't start rolling your quarters just yet. And don't cancel any trips to Las Vegas. Casinos coming to Massachusetts are a long way off if they come at all.

Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan has this advice to both proponents and opponents: "Calm down."

Remarks made by Governor Deval Patrick at a Jan. 13 speech made at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Municipal Associations have led to some people anticipating that slots and blackjack are on their way to the Bay State.

In his speech (posted on the "Cape Cod Times" web site) Patrick said, "I think all of you know that I have misgivings about gaming, not for moral reasons. I wonder frankly whether the social costs associated with crime, with the regressive nature of the impact on poor people, outweighs the vaunted benefits.

"But I make my decisions by listening carefully to all sides, and I want to hear all sides on this question, too. Come to the table with us, bring us your best view on whether you think the commonwealth should take this step."

State Representative Robert M. Koczera, (D-New Bedford) has recently filed legislation that would allow a casino in the southeastern and western parts of the state.

State Representative Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee) said he could he make an argument for or against casinos as he sees strengths in both positions.

What Wagner would like to see before anyone makes a decision on gambling's future in the state is a detailed analysis of of the costs and benefits of increased gaming something which has yet to be done.

Wagner is concerned on the social and economic impact of casinos, including how dollars spent normally at locally based businesses could fins their way out of the region thanks to a casino.

"The revenues would not be coming back to our local cities," he said.

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Springfield City Council balks

Springfield City Councilor Domenic Sarno reacted swiftly last week to the possibility of casinos by sponsoring a resolution that would call for public hearings. It was presented at the City Council meeting on Jan. 15.

In his resolution Sarno wrote, "Whereas a gaming entertainment complex in the city of Springfield will create new jobs, positive economic development that can create new businesses and help existing business stay within Springfield and expand its tax base.

"Whereas the city of Springfield is currently facing a serious budget crisis and the repayment of a $26 million or more state loan, gaming entertainment complex revenues could assist in the reduction of said deficit and create a dedicated revenue stream.it's logical and consistent that we consider this economic engine.Now, therefore let it be resolved that if gambling legislation is approved, we the members of the Springfield City Council are in favor of holding public hearings with regards siting such a facility in the city of Springfield."

Sarno admitted to his colleagues the controversy that follows the casino question, but explained, "All I'm saying we should be on record if it [legislation] moves forward. Springfield wants to be at the table."

His fellow councilors did not support the resolution. Both Councilors Rosemary Mazza Moriarty and William Foley both pointed out the Council doesn't need to pass a resolution to hold public hearings.

And both councilors noted that strongly positive language of the resolution.

Foley suggested the Council request a meeting with the mayor and the Finance Control Board on the subject.

City Councilor Timothy Rooke thought the Council should request an update from the city's legislative delegation and noted that Springfield is "behind the eight ball" as the residents of both Holyoke and Palmer have supported casinos in those communities in the past.

Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan helped bring victory to anti-casino forces in Springfield in two referendums in the 1990s. Ryan's opinion on casinos hasn't changed in the ten years since the last vote.

Ryan said, "I would be very unhappy if the governor does down that route."

Ryan, speaking the press conference to address his recent health scare, added that casinos are "a one-way ticket to poverty, to shattered lives."

The mayor did not mince words and declared casinos would lead to more crime, more poverty and more corruption.

"To go that route in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts I think is a bad trip," he said.

Asked his opinions after a City Council subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, Russell Denver, the president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Western Massachusetts, simply said, "It's way to early to comment."

Jeff Keck, the executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement District, agreed with Denver and said he would have to discuss the matter with his board.

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Sullivan: "It's a cautious tale."

Speaking at the monthly Downtown Holyoke Revitalization Meeting on Thursday, Mayor Michael Sullivan said he was at the governor's appearance and heard the speech. Sullivan called Patrick's remarks "a very balanced statement."

"It was hardly a ringing endorsement," he said.

Yet, Holyoke residents have been calling Sullivan's office with either comments on casinos or suggestions on where to place a casino.

While Sullivan explained later to Reminder Publications that Holyoke did approve casinos in three different votes, but that he personally had misgivings about casinos specifically on how the Commonwealth might look at the money a casino might pay a host community.

With the state facing periodic budget shortfalls Sullivan said casino revenues that would be earmarked for the town in which it is located could affect that community's state aid. He said the state, in order to cut expenditures, could lower its aid package by the amount the casino is paying a a community.

Sullivan said he believes if the casino question moves ahead the Legislature would have to devise and approve a standard ballot question that would be used in the local approval process.

With the state facing a more immediate issue a $1 billion shortfall Sullivan said that casinos may be five or six years away if they come at all to the state.