East Boston casino opponents revved up

East Boston casino opponents revved up
Boston Business Journal by Thomas Grillo, Real Estate Editor

On the heels of the Attorney General’s rejection of a statewide ballot question to repeal the state’s expanded gambling measure, East Boston casino opponents are gearing up for a local referendum to defeat a proposed resort-style gambling facility at Suffolk Downs.

“As you’ve seen in Foxborough, as soon as a casino is proposed for an area, opposition from residents springs up very quickly,” John Ribeiro, chairman of the Repeal the Casino Deal Committee, told the BBJ. “And opposition is growing in East Boston.”

In her ruling, Attorney General Martha Coakley wrote that any measure that appropriates money for the commonwealth cannot face a referendum petition. The group is considering an appeal to the Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court .

In the meantime, Ribeiro said the group will fight the casino plan when it comes to a vote in East Boston. The casino legislation allows a local veto by residents.

“We are prepared to continue fighting the issue at the state and local levels,” he said.

Still, Ribeiro said his group faces a challenge keeping the casino out of their neighborhood. “If there were an up or down vote today, it would be close, but I think the casino would win based on the information people have today,” he said. “But we intend to refute anything Suffolk Downs puts out that will be positive for the area.” The group has formed a ballot committee with the state Office of Campaign & Political Finance whch will allow them to raise cash for the battle.