Area leaders rally in support of Revere casino proposal

LYNN – With the state Gaming Commission poised to advance the Suffolk Downs casino proposal for review or kill it, three mayors publicly praised the Suffolk plan Monday as a regional job creator.Revere Mayor Daniel Rizzo told about 60 people gathered in Lynn City Hall that Suffolk’s partnership with casino operator Mohegan Sun will create 4,000 jobs and generate gambling money, including potentially $32 million in property taxes for Revere.”This is going to be extremely positive,” he said.Rizzo and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy are both optimistic about Suffolk and Mohegan’s chances of winning a “yes” vote from the five commissioners when they meet today in Boston to decide if a Revere-only casino deserves additional review.”All this hinges on a vote to go forward which we anticipate getting tomorrow. We’re hoping the Gaming Commission just allows us to stay in the game,” Rizzo said.Suffolk and former casino partner Caesars Entertainment unveiled a $1 billion casino plan for the horse track straddling the Revere and East Boston line in 2012. Suffolk and Caesars parted ways in October, and East Boston voters rejected the casino plan on Nov. 5 with Revere voters approving it.”Revere said ?yes’ to 2,500 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs. They said ?yes’ because of the money that will be spent in small businesses,” said Revere Chamber of Commerce President Robert Upton.The Revere Chamber of Commerce and Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce sent representatives to Monday’s City Hall to underscore support for Suffolk’s plan.Mohegan Sun runs casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania and Mohegan Vice President Gary Luderitz on Monday said the firm’s redeemable awards allow casino players to earn points for discounts at participating businesses.”We have a long track record of working with our neighbors and communities,” Luderitz said.Rizzo spoke in support of the Suffolk-Mohegan casino plan Monday with Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree, Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and Salem Mayor Kimberley Driscoll who said North Shore communities have talked for years about potential employment generated by bringing gambling to Massachusetts.”We know there are going to be impacts, but we can share the wealth that comes from jobs,” Driscoll said.If Suffolk’s plan advances into an early-2014 review process, Kennedy wants to sketch out details for a surrounding community agreement outlining ways a Suffolk casino could help pay for improvements to Routes 1A and 107.Suffolk Chief Operating Officer Chip Tuttle said he is “encouraged” by the initial review the Suffolk-Mohegan Sun received during last week’s commission meeting. He said casino plan’s specifics will be sketched out over the next week and said Suffolk plans to keep racing at Suffolk Downs even if the commission squashes the casino plan on Tuesday.Suffolk has tentatively planned a Dec. 17 informational meeting for area companies at the Comfort Inn in Revere at 10 a.m.”This has always been about creating good jobs for local people,” Tuttle said.