Holyoke leaders should reject casino

Letters to The Editor: Holyoke leaders should reject casino

Holyoke’s leaders should reject casino

Following their inauguration, Holyoke city officials can best get to work by setting aside the casino debate dividing Holyoke, and instead focus their efforts on initiatives that build on the city’s unique strengths and new sense of optimism.

New Mayor Alex Morse and new City Council President Kevin Jourdain were right to withhold their support for casinos during their campaigns. They chose, instead, to focus on steps that capitalize on and increase Holyoke’s capacities.

Holyoke citizens responded with unprecedented enthusiasm – and the election brought national attention to the city. Now, the worst thing we could do is squander this energy by letting the focus of the coming months be on the divisive topic of remaking Holyoke as a gambling destination.

That’s why Holyoke city councilors should swiftly follow the lead of Foxborough’s selectmen, who last week declared that they will not enter into negotiations with developers over terms for bringing a casino to their town. Foxborough’s elected officials were right not to gamble with their town’s security and reputation for the sake of unenforceable promises of windfall gains. Holyoke city officials should pass a resolution similarly declaring that casino discussions will distract from Holyoke’s new visibility and progress in attracting productive and creative enterprises that benefit the community as a whole.

– ALISON NOYES, Holyoke