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August 10, 2006

Debate over casino plan to be aired tonight

PROVIDENCE -- A 30-minute debate today over the proposed casino in West Warwick, due to go to voters statewide this November, was more rhetoric from both sides than a presentation of detailed facts.

Richard Oster, the former head of a group opposing the proposed West Warwick casino, called the casino a bad deal -- one that voters won’t know the full details of until after they’ve cast their ballots.

"I don’t think the citizens of Rhode Island should be hoodwinked,’’ he said on the PBS show A Lively Experiment, which was taped this afternoon and is scheduled to be aired at 7:30 tonight.

Narragansett Indian Tribe Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas countered that the casino his tribe is proposing with Harrah’s Entertainment will bring jobs and property tax relief to the state.

"We know what it’s like to be screwed,’’ Thomas said. "We’re not going to screw the people of Rhode Island.’’

Oster, who said he is not opposed to casinos, said that the state could get a better deal by opening up a casino license to competitive bidding.

"Let’s not be had,’’ the former Cookson America chief executive officer said. "You can hear the laughter coming form the boardrooms in Las Vegas.’’

Thomas countered: "There are a lot of people who hear laughter. They’re in rubber rooms.’’

Thomas was asked if the tribe would continue to push for a casino if the Nov. 7 ballot question fails. "We’re going to cross that bridge when we come to it,’’ he said.

The show airs at 7:30 tonight and again Sunday at noon on Rhode Island PBS, Channel 36 or cable channel 8.

It was moderated by James G. Hagan, former president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. The chamber now and under Hagan’s leadership came out against the casino.

Thomas said this casino would have upscale amenities allowing it to compete with casinos in Connecticut. He suggested it would be a lot nicer than the state’s two current gambling halls: Lincoln Park and Newport Grand.

"I can’t remember anybody having a wedding reception at Lincoln Park,’’ Thomas said.

Harrah’s spent $2.7 million last month on its effort to win votes. (Some of that money was spent on future advertising, but the casino company won’t say how much.)

"They’re throwing around millions like we throw around dimes,’’ said Oster, who recently resigned as chairman of the casino-opposition group Save Our State.

Thomas countered that the money was being spent in Rhode Island, benefiting the state’s economy.

-- Journal staff writer Scott Mayerowitz

Posted by Steve Peoples at 6:24 PM | Permalink

August 10, 2006

Debate over casino plan to be aired tonight

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