The young mayor of a city in the US state of Massachusetts, who was elected for his anti-casino stance, has done a U-turn.
Holyoke mayor Alex Morse, who is 23, angered his backers yesterday when he reversed his position by saying he was open to negotiating with a developer to bring a casino to the city. Behind the plan is Eric Suher, owner of a former amusement park on Mount Tom, who aims to develop a casino, hotel and entertainment complex on a 70-acre site.
“Everyone knows that I have been strongly opposed to proposals to locate a casino in the city of Holyoke,” the mayor said in a statement. “But when a business plan is presented to me, it is my responsibility to consider it.”
Morse says he remains “philosophically opposed” to casino gambling but was worried about the possible impact on the city of a casino going up in nearby Springfield. Anti-casino lobbyers were shocked by the reversal. “Completely surprised, disappointed and feeling absolutely betrayed,” said one.
