Revere tells mystery slots guy to stay wherever it is he's from

By adamg on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 12:42am

Revere voters on Tuesday rejected the idea of a slots parlor near Suffolk Downs by roughly 65-35 in a non-binding referendum.

Next month, voters statewide get their say, in a referendum that would let the state gaming commission award a new slots license, but only to a parlor on land that matches some unusual criteria that, amazingly, currently only applies to the piece of land the guy bought. Even if voters approve the measure, there is n guarantee the commission would grant a license.

Mayor Brian Arrigo, who opposed the proposed slots parlor and who wants to see Suffolk Downs redeveloped, exulted:

I'm looking forward to working with the community on a collaborative visioning process that engages the public as we plan for the future of our city, and work together to build a real, sustainable local economy. This distraction is past us, and we can move on to better days ahead.

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Comments

non-binding?

By Boston_res on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 8:13am.

Why bother?

Momentum

By KSquared on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 9:10am.

I think the idea was to have the vote to help sway the minds of the rest of the state when it comes to voting on Question 1.

Of course, I had been hearing that Revere might have voted yes, which would have had more potential impact on Question 1's chances.

Helps elected officials make choices

By BostonDog on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 11:23am.

If you're the Mayor/Councilor of a town and the citizens vote overwhelming one way that should dictate your actions on the matter even if you're not bound by the vote.

Mayor Arrigo Was Opposed To Holding This Special Election

By Elmer on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 2:28pm.

He saw the non-binding poll as a total waste of Revere taxpayers' money, especially considering there'll be a statewide referendum on the matter next month. Unfortunately, it was forced upon the city.

I like the mayor. I think he's a refreshing change from the previous administration whose hands seemed to be too deep into the pockets of the casino pushers. Moreover, he's an actual leader — someone who grew up in the neighborhood, understands it, and has real ideas for making the city a better place. I think many residents listened to him and followed his reasoned advice to vote against the slots parlor.

The overwhelming result of the election could be considered a vote of confidence for Mayor Arrigo. Good luck to him!

One more thing I like about Brian Arrigo — unlike Boston's mayor, he knows how to smile!
   
^{Mayor Brian Arrigo, wife Daveen, and son Joseph}

That photo is

By Irma la Douce on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 3:18pm.

ADORABLE!

By Elmer on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 3:35pm.

What is a highway?

By Ron Newman on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 1:58pm.

The proposal requires that the slots parlor be on land that is "not separated from said race track by a highway". However, the land he owns is on the opposite side of Tomesello Way from the race track. If Question 1 passed and the Gaming Commission granted a license (both of which I consider unlikely), I see a court challenge on the way regarding the definition of "highway".

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