Opponents Rally Against Possible Foxboro Casino
FOXBORO (CBS) - A group of residents in Foxboro are protesting possible plans for casino on the land across from Gillette Stadium.
On Saturday, about four dozen people held a rally in the town common to demonstrate their opposition on the day before Patriots' owner Robert Kraft was set to meet with Las Vegas casino developer Steve Wynn.
At Saturday's protest, common concerns included increased traffic and crime, and diminished property values.
Erin Earnst is one of the town residents vehemently opposed to a casino being built there.
She points out that the Patriots owners have been good neighbors, but says bringing a casino to town would change that.
"I agree that the Krafts have done great things from our town and we've definitely benefited from the positive impact that having the revenue from the stadium has had and the donations to the local community, she said. "But, this is too much to ask. This is changing the very fabric of our town and we are not interested."
Foxboro Selectwoman Lorraine Brue attended the rally and says as a town official, she'll weigh the pros and cons, but personally, she opposes the idea.
"As a citizen, I'm not interested in having a casino in Foxboro. If I wanted that, I would have moved to Atlantic City," said Brue.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports
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Walpole Planning Board Member John Murtagh wanted to make it clear that surrounding towns opposed a casino as well.
"Let me send a loud and clear signal to (Robert) Kraft. How dare he put this in our backyard," Murtagh said. "He's going to completely devastate our way of life."
