Mayor Menino Supports Slots
The Boston Herald reports that Boston mayor Thomas Menino has come out in favor of slot machines at Suffolk Downs. “People say it’s about gambling. I look at it differently,” said Menino. “It’s about jobs. It’s about revenue.” Good for Menino — but when will the state legislature act? Time is running out for the track. The New York-based real estate development firm Vornado recently bought a stake in Suffolk and is on the verge of drawing up a redevelopment proposal for the parcel along with Boston developer and Suffolk board member Stephen Karp. “Without slot machines in the near future, the racing at Suffolk will cease and the property will be developed,” said Suffolk president John Hall. The situation can’t be stated any more bluntly than that.
The Herald jumps in with a pro-slots editorial: “Allowing slot machines at the state’s four racetracks would be an industry bailout. But when an industry’s worth bailing out, what’s wrong with that?”
Interesting that Menino’s comments and the Herald’s editorial comes so soon after Sunday’s Hot Dog Safari. Seems like there may have been a little lobbying for slots going on among the hot dog eating and family fun.
