10/06/2006
Seeking Relief - Group Points to Casino as Tax Burden Solution


WEST WARWICK - On Wednesday, a handful of Coventry and West Warwick residents met at Paul's Kitchen in West Warwick to discuss the promised $144 million the proposed Narragansett Indian Casino would generate in property tax relief.
The by-invitation-only gathering was organized by Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief, a coalition in support of the casino, and the majority of those in attendance advocated building a casino in West Warwick. However, at least one dissenting voice was heard.
The event was moderated by J. Michael Levesque, former mayor of West Warwick and Harrah's Entertainment outreach coordinator.
"I have a business in this town, I have four pieces of property in this town and my taxes are outrageous,' said Fran Padula, a resident of West Warwick. "I go up to town hall every three months with $5,200. My husband and I are retired. We've have property worth $1 million that we've had to give up because we can't afford the taxes anymore. When does it stop?"
"I'm a senior citizen, and I've lived in West Warwick all my life," said Sue Giusti. "In the constitution that they are amending, it says property tax relief, and as far as I'm concerned I'm speaking for every senior citizen in this town. I would like to stay in my home as long as I'm able to keep it and not be a burden to anyone. I want to be self supporting. The only way that's going to happen is if we get our taxes reduced."
Coventry resident Susan Curria voiced her skepticism toward the promised tax relief.
"I'm worried that the money will go to the towns," she said. "But then the towns will do what they want with the money, and that it won't trickle down to you and I."
Those in support of the casino had an answer.
In a response to Curria's concern, Red Witherspoon, a retired union worker and West Warwick resident, had this to say.
"I think we have to emphasize, because there are too many people being cynical about the tax relief, that, unlike the lottery, this will be in the constitution," he said. "The lottery was just a political promise, but this will be in the constitution, it will be etched in stone."
Levesque touched upon what he said are the differences between the Narragansett Indian Casino and the casinos in Connecticut.
"Unlike Rhode Island and unlike the Narragansett Indian Casino, the state of Connecticut orchestrated a contract with both tribes so the money went directly to the state," he said. "They didn't have a host town agreement like we have, and they didn't have a constitution amendment saying 'to the cities and towns.' This is apples and oranges. Here it's different. It's property tax relief in the constitution."
Levesque went on to say, "the Narragansett Indian Casino is not on tribal land, so therefore they don't have to follow the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Rhode Island is different to our advantage, not our disadvantage."
Christine Lorenzo, who is currently a resident of Coventry, used to reside in New York City, N. Y., and said she believes a casino would be beneficial for Rhode Island.
"I'm a single mom, in the middle class, and I have to say, as far as property tax relief, I've seen my taxes go up and up every year, and I've seen less and less for my money," she said. "As someone who has lived in a tourist-type area, everybody will benefit, the small businesses will benefit. Let's make people stop in Rhode Island, let's not have them pass by. There is New York and Boston, and we're in between. Let's make people stop here, not just for clam cakes, but stop here to spend money."
Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief spokesperson Clare Eckert concluded the meeting by saying:
"When you bring $1 billion to this state, and you bring 3,800 new jobs to this state and construction jobs of over 3,000 to build this, then what we're going to see in Rhode Island is a destination resort that is internationally marketed, that will bring four million new visitors to this state. Now, when you bring four mil new visitors to this state, that will create a trickle down effect."
Opponents of the proposed casino, including Save Our State and several elected officials, have repeatedly questioned the claims of property tax relief and tourism benefits put forth by groups in favor of the casino, including the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief and Harrah's Entertainment.


John H. Gendron , Daily Times