The Herald reports the mayor continues to back plans for a resort casino at Suffolk Downs, but that he'll have to fight off Milford, which is also expected to put in a bid for a gambling emporium.
Ed. question: The Herald actually says the racetrack's owners want to build a "resort-style casino." How is that different from a plain old "resort casino?"
Jim considers drawing of the proposed resort casino at Suffolk Downs, notes something is decidedly lacking:
[E]lderly folks with oxygen tanks and children left in cars are missing from the attractive drawing.
Jim wonders when the East Boston Times will dedicate some space to a real discussion of an issue that is of huge importance to this neighborhood instead of just shilling for the racetrack and its effort to get a slice of that whole gambling thing.
Released yesterday, ready for a vote next week. Includes a provision for slots at Suffolk Downs.
The Outraged Liberal wonders:
... Is the racino proposal really so shaky it cannot stand a public discussion? Or because the bill's new provisions really only affect your own district and a couple of others, do you think no one else need bother themselves with the details? ...
Joel Brown discusses another gambling report that came out this week, which rather than bewailing how much money we spend in Connecticut, looks at the effect of gambling facilities on cultural venues:
At a candidate forum sponsored by the Brighton Allston Improvement Association tonight, moderator Michael Pahre asked the candidates for the four open at-large City Council seats how they felt about putting a casino or slot machines at the Suffolk Downs racetrack - an idea pushed by Mayor Menino. Their answers follow (see their answers to questions on other issues).
Build a casino at Suffolk Downs now, and be snappy about it, the East Boston Chamber of Commerce says. Jim begs to differ:
... It seems to me that the expected benefits will be outweighed by the negative consequences of situating such an operation so close to an urban residential neighborhood; that the state revenue number quoted is almost certainly overblown; that Suffolk's recent philanthropy is clearly part of a strategy to enlist local support (Why not spend thousands in order to make millions?); and that [owner Richard] Fields' "pledge" [to buy local] will likely be discarded the first time he can save a penny per item on something that he needs in quantity. ...
HubTrotter proclaims the racetrack excellent value for your entertainment dollar:
... [E]ven if you're not a gambler, Boston sports fans will be hard-pressed to beat the $2 admission price for a day at the races. ...
Jimbo explains why you should feel a lot more sorry for the "migrant" workers who actually keep the track running.
Jorge photographs a bird's nest at the Suffolk Downs T stop built mainly out of dryer lint:
... It's almost three feet high and two wide. ... Apparently it's not occupied right now but it will be interesting to see who uses it. ...
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