Revere voters to decide on casino

REVERE – City voters will decide on Nov. 5 whether to support the $1 billion resort casino proposed for Suffolk Downs.”It’s a very big vote,” said City Council President Ira Novoselsky. “I know some people will hate me for saying this but I think it might be more important than going out to vote for a candidate.”Along with voting for councilors and School Committee candidates on Nov. 5 registered voters will be asked if they favor the Caesars Entertainment Inc./Suffolk Downs casino plan.Novoselsky, along with his colleague John Powers and Mayor Daniel Rizzo, are betting their constituents will vote in favor.Rizzo recently signed a host agreement with Suffolk Downs which, he said, addresses traffic, public safety and neighborhood concerns.According to Rizzo, under the host agreement, $1 million will go toward building a new youth center, $2 million toward the renovation of the Harry Della Russo Stadium and beautification, bike access improvements and Blue Line improvements will also be addressed. Additionally the agreement calls for an increase in public safety funding.Powers said he supports the casino provided there is proper traffic mitigation. And as part of that he would like to see the Point of Pines Fire Station reopened, noting that population in his Ward 5 has increased 9.5 percent over the last decade, according to the 2010 federal census.”And that’s what we know about,” he said. “That’s those that filled out the census.”He said there are more elderly, more medical emergencies and with the casino will come increased traffic, all of which add to the need for the fire station reopening.Powers said the casino would be a plus for the city and predicts residents will turn out for the vote.Novoselsky said he knows there are opponents to the casino but he already has his bumper sticker in place that asks residents to vote yes on the proposal.”I think it will be a big boon for the city financially, infrastructure-wise and by the things we’ll be able to do, ” he said.With the casino the city will receive more funding for roads, he said. He also said the casino plan has no bearing at all on Chapter 70 school funding, though some have expressed concern that would be affected.”That’s a straight up no,” he said. “Chapter 70 money is determined by the number of students in the system.”Novoselsky said a yes vote on the casino would also help stabilize the city’s water and sewer rates, and fund the redesign of several already tricky intersections such as North Shore Road and Revere Beach Boulevard and a section of Route 1 and Route 16.”I think this is a big, big deal and we’ll see a lot of potential for the city,” he said. “I’m really excited about it and I hope it passes, and I want people to know about it and get out and vote.”