Is a casino in Taunton still a good idea? Here's what City Council candidates say
TAUNTON — With election day fast approaching, we thought we'd give voters a chance to get to know the 11 candidates vying for City Council seats a little better.
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, but early voting starts on Oct. 28.
For the City Council, voters have a total of 11 candidates — including all nine incumbents and two challengers — to choose from.
The Gazette reached out to all 11 candidates for a Q&A. Each candidate received the same five questions. Questions were selected in part based on readership data and the topics which garnered the most interest this year.
We are publishing the replies from all 11 candidates to each of the five questions as separate stories. This is the fifth and final question.
Question 5: Is a casino in Taunton still a good bet?
Taunton has been debating and preparing for a casino being built in the city for many years. With recent news that the Masphee Wampanoag Tribe may be altering plans for that land, as well as the gambling landscape changing dramatically over the last several years in Massachusetts and Rhode Island with new sports betting options and complexes (MGM Springfield, Plainridge Park Casino, Encore Boston Harbor, Tiverton Casino), do you think any sort of casino/gaming center would still be a good fit for Taunton? Why or why not?
Estele Borges (incumbent)
I do. I will not support the current IGA (intergovernmental agreement with the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe) without renegotiation. The IGA that was approved at that time by the City Council (not unanimously) had a lot of infrastructure projects that have since been completed but not by the tribe. The casino can bring significant economic benefits, including job creation, increased tourism and additional revenue for the city however I still have concerns with what is before us and we will continue discussions with our outside legal counsel. Ultimately, the voters decided in a 2-1 margin that the casino was a good fit for Taunton and I support that.
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Christopher Coute (incumbent)
Yes, I do. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs (however, I would prefer a commercial casino).
Kelly Dooner (incumbent)
The city voted to have a casino here so I think we are beyond the question of whether this is a good fit or not. This was decided on by the voters in the city. That being said, I feel it is now my role to make sure we are looking out and fighting for all the residents while keeping the best interest of the city as a whole in mind. If progress happens, it needs to be done lawfully with a transparent process. Much like I have proven to do while serving on the Public Safety Advisory Board.
Phillip Duarte (incumbent)
The intergovernmental agreement with the Wampanoag Tribe is based on the project as it is laid out in that document: a casino (slots, table games, and poker games) with a food court, retail stores, hotels, an event center and a water park. If the Tribe is going to alter the project, this will require a renegotiation of the intergovernmental agreement. At that time, the mayor and City Council would need to determine if the benefits being offered by the Tribe in this renegotiated agreement are advantageous enough for the city to move forward with an altered project.
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Edna Isaac (challenger)
To determine whether a casino is still a good fit for Taunton, the city must carefully consider the economic, social and cultural impacts, as well as the changing gambling landscape and tribal land considerations. Engaging with the community, conducting feasibility studies and seeking input from relevant stakeholders are essential in making an informed decision.
Scott Martin (challenger)
I wouldn't mind seeing a small gambling facility build, a commercial one not a tribal one. The future of gambling I feel will be online with phones. I fear that a huge facility if a casino failed would be very difficult to find another suitor to fill it and could sit vacant which wouldn't do any good to the city.
John McCaul (incumbent)
Yes, I still believe a casino will be an excellent attraction for our city. I would like to see a casino on Stevens Street. A casino in Taunton will help create more jobs along with making our city a destination community. Taunton is the epicenter geographically for Rhode Island in the South, Boston in the North, and Cape Cod to the east. It’s a great location for a casino, and its creation will be a win-win for our community.
Jeff Postell (incumbent)
I remain convinced that with the current landscape and new sports betting options the market continues to appear to be oversaturated due to the close proximity of other gambling and gaming establishments. I believe the best approach would be to review and assess what the proposed new plans will be to fully understand and determine whether it would be a good fit for the city. However, it is fair to say that it is my expectation that agreements are followed through with and that the best interest of the city as a whole is at heart and a priority.
David Pottier (incumbent)
There are many differences between tribal and commercial casinos. The agreement Taunton originally signed with the Wampanoag Tribe is less lucrative than deals negotiated between those other communities listed and commercial entities. Taunton has fewer legal means to enforce the terms of our current agreement, and to collect years of missed mandatory payments owed, as the Wampanoag Tribe is a sovereign entity. Further, the public’s interest in casinos seems to be decreasing with online gaming now legal in Massachusetts. I wouldn’t be opposed to considering bringing gaming to Taunton, but the potential benefit would be less than promised years ago.
Lawrence Quintal (incumbent)
I believe that the casino, which was voted on by a large majority of our residents, will be beneficial to our area. It will bring in jobs and revenue to help offset tax increases for our residents. I also believe that the IGA agreement needs to be renegotiated to reflect the changes by the Tribe and the impact on our community.
Barry Sanders (incumbent)
Like the cannabis industry, the shine has gone off the apple with gaming. Promises and expectations that a single venture or industry will be the winning lottery ticket that solves our problems has not materialized. Nor have either been the disaster that some worried about. Instead, these industries are moving towards being another business venture that will take its place alongside other businesses in our community, attracting those who enjoy what they have to offer and contributing their fair share of costs and benefits. Some small-scale gaming venture may yet take hold in Taunton. We'll see.
What is the last day to register to vote in the general election
Friday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. is the deadline to register to vote, change party affiliation, or change your address for the general election on Nov. 7.
Where do I vote on Election Day?
Registered voters can vote in person on Election Day at their designated polling places, which can be found on the city's website.
Early voting by mail
All registered voters qualify for a vote-by-mail ballot for the November election. You must complete an application for a vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed to you. You can download an application on the Massachusetts secretary of state’s website.
What is the deadline to apply for an early vote-by-mail ballot?
The completed, signed application must be received by the Taunton Elections Department by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. It can be returned in person, by mail or by scanning and emailing it to elections@tauntonma.gov.
Early voting in person
Early voting in person for the Nov. 7 election will take place at City Hall, 15 Summer St., on the following days and times:
Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Monday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Tuesday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Thursday, Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Friday, Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
What is absentee voting?
Not everyone is eligible to vote via absentee ballot. Absentee ballot voting is restricted to people who won’t be in Taunton, for whatever reason, on election day, have a disability that keeps them from being able to physically get to the polls, or have a religious reason for not voting in person. An application for an absentee ballot can be found on the Massachusetts secretary of state’s website.
What is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot?
The completed, signed application must be received by the Taunton Elections Department by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31. It can be returned in person, by mail or by scanning and emailing it to elections@tauntonma.gov.
How can I contact the Taunton Elections Department?
All inquires can be directed to your Elections Department Office, located in Taunton City Hall, or by calling them at 508-821-1044.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton City Council election 2023 Q&A: Is a casino still a good bet?
