Let’s Talk Casinos – Town is ready to join the debate

With the casino debate in Massachusetts expected to begin soon, it is good to know that Winthrop stands ready to participate. The Town Council has named its own, three-person committee that will be the official voice for Winthrop and be our “seat at the table” when the discussion turns toward the casino (we’re speaking of a proposed casino at Suffolk Downs) and its effect on the town.

Councillor Jeanne Maggio’s proposal to form a citizens’ advisory casino committee was accepted while the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce, under the direction of President Paul Leavy and Executive Director Eric Gaynor, has formed a casino committee consisting of Chamber members.

We understand that the Winthrop Golf Course has been mentioned as a potential site where visitors to a casino resort at Suffolk would come to the town to play a round of golf. We’re not sure what the arrangement might be between the casino, the golf course, and town, but it’s just one aspect for townspeople to think about as this huge process is about to begin.

We commend the Council and the Chamber of Commerce for setting the stage in advance for our participation in the casino debate. We have no doubt that Winthrop will be prepared to ask the right questions about how the state will distribute revenues to adjacent communities and the impact the casino will have on our town.