Revere Anti-Casino Groups Express Concerns About ‘Free And Fair’ Election On Feb. 25

(Revere, MA, February 20, 2014) – With less than one week to go until the casino referendum, Don’t Gamble on Revere and Friends of Revere express significant concern about what they describe as an “environment of fear and intimidation” that is being created in Revere surrounding the casino issue.

The casino opponents specifically point towards a Channel 5 investigative report regarding Revere City Councilor Ira Novoselsky approaching and intimidating immigrant business owners to replace anti-casino signs with pro-casino signs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D--kiwo2wz4), as well as Mayor Dan Rizzo sending multiple letters to Revere citizens on behalf of Mohegan Sun.

Joseph Catricala, spokesperson for Don’t Gamble on Revere, states, “Weekly letters paid for by Friends of Mohegan Sun are being sent out with Mayor Rizzo urging citizens to vote ‘Yes’ and claiming if citizens vote ‘No’ then they don’t support Revere.  “These actions,” Catricala explains, “are creating an environment of fear and intimidation for voters and business owners within the city to ‘toe the line’ when it comes to the vote, or face the consequences.”

The casino opponents claim that what is at stake in Tuesday’s election is much larger than the ill effects of a casino.  “If official intimidation is to stand as the status quo now, what will happen if Revere becomes a casino town?” asks Pastor Tim Bogertman of Revere’s First Congregational Church, a founding member of Friends of Revere.  “We have called the Attorney General’s office about these issues, and they have promised to look into the matter further.”

Multiple faith leaders from Revere – including Catholic priests, Protestant pastors, a Rabbi and an Imam – led a rally at Revere’ Immaculate Conception Parish this past Sunday to encourage residents that they can vote ‘No’ on Tuesday, and to assure them that clergy and others are standing with them in their opposition to the proposed casino.

The casino opponents are also sending open letters to William Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth, and to Martha Coakley, the Attorney General, regarding their concerns and they are requesting official monitoring of the polls on the day of the vote.

Source:  Joseph Catricala 781-727-6099 / dontgamblerevere@gmail.com
           Timothy Bogertman 617-895-7907 / tbogertman@firstcongrevere.org

Wonderland faces no future

When the Governor and the legislature talk beyond each other nothing that matters to working people really matter.

Like the state’s three other tracks, Wonderland Park, the former greyhound racing facility, is facing an uphill climb in the weeks after expanded gambling talks faltered on Beacon Hill.
The Revere track, a simulcast wagering parlor since a voter-approved dog racing ban took effect Jan. 1, 2010, was a loser in last month’s gambling bill drama, missing out on a chance to bid for a slot machine license or a chance to partner with nearby Suffolk Downs in an effort to launch a casino.

Gov. Deval Patrick has blamed lawmakers for sending him a gambling bill he had indicated he would not support and urged the Legislature to reconvene and pass casino-only legislation. Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein (D-Revere), a former Wonderland employee, said that in Revere, residents are still shocked that Patrick didn’t go along with legislation allowing two of the four racetracks to add slot machines.

“Around here, people here they just can’t believe that the governor did it,” she said. “He’s playing a game with all these peoples’ lives. It’s very sad. It’s disappointing. These are real people.”