Revere council debates casino preparation measures

REVERE – Revere officials agree that big changes may be coming to the city with the possible addition of a casino at Suffolk Downs. But, with two rivals for this fall’s mayoral election choosing opposite sides, they just can’t agree on how to deal with those possible changes.With this week’s State House debate on gambling looming, City Councilors gathered Monday night at City Hall to discuss forming a Casino Impact Mitigation Committee, just in case gaming legislation allows gambling at the track. City Councilor at large and mayoral candidate George Rotondo presented a motion to form such a committee.Rotondo wants to be prepared for any changes gaming would bring to the city. “We should have been ahead of the ball here,” Rotondo said. “Now we have to play catch up.” Rotondo wants Revere to be ready for the increase in traffic and public safety needs if a casino is allowed inside the city. “We need to come together as a team and work together and find out what we need and work accordingly,” Rotondo said.Not all the councilors agree that a committee needs to be formed.”I have already begun an extensive list of mitigation that would be needed. As City Councilors we need to put our thinking caps on and figure out what this city needs,” Councilor at large and Rotondo’s mayoral rival Daniel Rizzo said. “I am not sure if it requires a full blown committee. I think we have enough capable people here to figure it out.”Rotondo disagreed. “No one here is an expert on traffic. No one here is an expert on public safety,” Rotondo said. “We need an expert.”Ward 1 Councilor Richard Penta believes that the public should have more of a say of what happens, not just the councilors. “Everyone in the city should have a say. This is going to change the city of Revere,” Penta said. “We have to take input from people in the city. I want to hear every viewpoint. I want to hear every pro and con.”Whether a specific mitigation committee is formed or not, all can agree that a new casino will change the face of Revere. “Whatever happens at Suffolk Downs, it’s going to impact the city,” Council President and Ward 5 Councilor John Powers said.If a committee is formed, its members will be appointed by the mayor and will be comprised of various department heads including but not limited to the chiefs of the fire and police departments, the Superintendent of Public Schools, Director of Planning and Community Development and three members of the community.The State House debate is slated to begin Wednesday. House Democrats are planning a caucus today to discuss the bill before the debate and Republicans discussed the upcoming debate for several hours Monday.A further discussion on a new committee will be discussed at the next City Council meeting.In other business, the City Councilors want the mayor to request that the Chief of Police appear before the City Council for the purpose of discussing the violent crime occurrences that include rape and murder in the Revere Street area.”I have never seen the recent activity of crime this bad before,” Ward 3 Councilor Arthur Guinasso said. “It’s getting much too close to home.”Guinasso believes that several gangs from New York are responsible for Revere Street’s spike in crime. “There are many gang members from New York here,” Guinasso said. “Like serious gang members.”Guinasso stated that there have been two reported rapes in the past two months. “I can’t mention how many house break ins there has been,” Guinasso added.The Councilor wants to see more of a police presence of the busy street. “Revere Street is out of control,” Guinasso said. “I am not worried about the future. I am worried about the present. I am worried about tonight.”Other City Councilors agreed with Guinasso. “We have a serious gang problem in the City of Revere. We have to acknowledge it,” Rotondo said. “It is not just unique to Revere Street but you see it on Broadway and other areas as well. We have to go after the problem and work aggressively.”Al