Rhode Island casino backers hold onto dream despite Statehouse vote

Michael Mello

Thursday, June 22, 2000 | 9:48 a.m.

WEST WARWICK, R.I. - Mike Ferrucci runs a popular downtown eatery here and has one concern about a casino coming to town: "I'm for it if it helps me," he said Wednesday, adding he's seen no evidence it would.

Whether a casino would help the town, the Indian tribe proposing it or the state are open questions that may not be answered anytime soon. A House panel voted Tuesday against putting the plan before voters on the November ballot, meaning the proposal is likely dead for this year.

House Finance Committee Chairman Antonio Pires, D-Pawtucket, said he opposed the proposal in part because he thought it would hurt two existing businesses that generate about $120 million in annual revenues for the state from video slots. The tribe and its financial backer, Boyd Gaming, say a casino would increase annual gaming revenues paid to the state.

For many who supported the proposal, the committee's vote at least temporarily dashed dreams of lower taxes, new jobs and a future for the old mill town.

"This town is hurting because of the taxes and we have people driving on our roads to get to casinos in Connecticut and we don't get a penny from them," said Richard Pelletier, who has been a barber in town for 40 years.

"Most of my customers go to the Connecticut casinos," he said. "They'd rather leave their money in Rhode Island.

"This is the only town around here where you can get a full meal for $5," he added. "I charge $8 for a haircut that costs up to $18 in other towns ... I can't afford to retire."

Eddie Rekas, a town native now living in Coventry, worries a local casino would lead people to spend more money than they can afford.

"I have reservations about a casino here but they (lawmakers) should have let it go to the voters," he said.

The Narragansett tribe needs statewide voter approval to build a gambling hall. The tribe mounted an aggressive public relations campaign this session with newspaper ads linking the past oppression of Indians to their thwarted efforts to build a casino.

The casino supporters said it would be an economic boon to West Warwick and Rhode Island. Opponents said it would hurt the quality of life and would bring more problems than benefits.

Town Manager Wolfgang Bauer was disappointed by the House committee vote, saying town residents should be able to decide if they want a casino.

"The state is not supposed to be in business to decide the exact location of a casino," he said, likening the tribe's proposal to that of a private developer coming to town.

Bauer said town officials have not yet decided whether to accept the tribe's proposal, but liked it enough to want it on the ballot.

"We saw it as one of the ways to lessen the tax burden," he said.

Bauer said town officials will meet with the tribe and their financial backers soon to determine whether they remain committed to the project.

He said he's worried the project may now be in limbo for years, tying up prime development land in a town that desperately needs new business.

Guy Dufault, a lobbyist for the tribe, said Boyd is unlikely to stay with the project if the state Legislature does not support the tribe's proposal this year.

But he said the Narragansetts will not give up their more than eight-year quest to build a casino in the state.

Rep. Timothy Williamson, D-West Warwick, plans to use a legislative rule to try to circumvent the committee vote and put the measure before the full House.

The maneuver is rarely used and usually has little success. But the tribe's backers think they have broad support in the full House.

Leo Joyal, who is retired, says he takes a bus from a nearby mall to the Connecticut casinos and would like a casino closer to his West Warwick home.

"I love them," he said. "With gambling, no one takes you by the hand, you go if you want to go."