Councilors clash over casino vote coucil

Councilors clash over casino vote coucil

A showdown is expected next week on the City Council that will pit proponents of an East Boston-only referendum on a Suffolk Downs casino against a small, but growing, number of councilors who feel the entire city should vote on the planned gaming palace.

“I’m thrilled that Councilor (Tito) Jackson agrees with me,” Councilor Matt O’Malley said in response to Jackson announcing on Boston Herald Radio yesterday he supports a citywide vote. “This is something that will affect the city, for good or for ill, and that’s why I believe every Bostonian should have an opportunity to weigh in on the issue.”

O’Malley, a backer of a citywide casino vote since 2011, said if East Boston voted for the casino but a majority of city residents opposed it — or vice versa — “that would stop the process.”

Jackson is calling for a citywide referendum, saying while Eastie will bear the brunt of increased traffic and crime spawned by a casino “there will be a human cost” in terms of “addiction issues” that will span the city.

Jackson’s sudden support of a citywide vote rankled City Councilor President Stephen J. Murphy, who argues the casino is a lawful development project approved by the state Legislature.

“I think he will rue the day as a city councilor that he opened an economic development fight with another district councilor,” Murphy said of Jackson.

Sal LaMattina, the district councilor from East Boston who has long spoken out in favor of an Eastie only vote, added: “Would I get involved in Allston-Brighton when they want to expand Harvard?”

At least one other councilor, Charles C. Yancey, who is also running for mayor, favors a citywide vote.

Councilor Frank Baker said he will make up his mind Friday, when the council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning will hold a hearing on the casino vote. Councilor Ayanna Pressley did not return a message yesterday.

All of the other eight councilors polled by the Herald yesterday — including mayoral candidates John R. Connolly, Michael P. Ross, Rob Consalvo and Felix G. Arroyo — said despite Jackson’s shift, they won’t change their votes, contending East Boston residents should have the only vote since they will be living next to a casino.

Councilor Bill Linehan, the committee’s chairman, said Friday’s hearing, at which the casino developers and members of Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s team who crafted the city’s lucrative host agreement are to testify, will likely set the stage for a council vote next Wednesday on whether to hold the casino referendum on Nov. 5, the same day as the municipal elections.Linehan said it will take a council amendment to current state law for Boston to opt out of a ward-only vote -

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