Residents on both sides of the casino debate are to Tuesday’s state Supreme Judicial Court ruling that voters will decide the fate of casinos.
At an Italian deli in East Boston, Celeste Myers is greeting customers at the counter and outside. Some are congratulating her on what she says is a victory.
“My phone has been ringing off the hook. Naturally, we’re elated. It’s been a long, hard, arduous process.”
Myers is co-chair of the No Eastie Casino group and part of the larger movement to repeal the state’s casino gambling law. They’ve gathered more than 80,000 signatures to earn a spot on the ballot.
“At every juncture we gather more and more believers. There are a lot of folks that are jaded, that don’t believe in the political process. But the people are having a voice.”
East Boston voted down a proposed Mohegan Sun casino at Suffolk Downs last year, but since the property straddles neighboring Revere, residents there also had a say. And they voted in favor of a casino on their portion of the property. At Revere City Hall, local resident Robert Rotondo says there’s no need for a voter referendum.
“I don’t think there should be a vote. I think the City of Revere already voted for the casino. It should just happen. How many votes you gonna have?”
Rotondo says he’s been waiting for a casino to come to Eastern Massachusetts.
“Hopefully it’ll come in Revere. That’s where it should be coming.”
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