HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB) – Citing Monday’s press conference an “act of transparency,” Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse has announced that he is now entertaining proposals for a casino in Holyoke.
Morse noted Monday morning that “we cannot pretend” that the city borders will protect the Paper City from any negative economic impact from a casino in Springfield or other parts of Western Mass.
Morse says a casino in Holyoke would not be a “saving grace” for the city’s economic and employment issues.
In the proposal presented to the city by Iron Horse Entertainment Group head Eric Suher, the casino would have a 350 room hotel, gaming space, indoor and outdoor entertainment space, restaurants, and eco-tourism.
Morse adds that in addition to Suher’s proposal, he will entertain any other proposals that may come his way.
The mayor notes that any plan for any casino in Holyoke must meet certain criteria, including urban revitalization, environmental sustainability, and the socioeconomic effects of gambling addiction.
If any plan does not meet those and other conditions, Morse adds that no deal will be done.
Monday’s announcement is seen as a reversal of Morse’s previous positions as a candidate and as Mayor, where he had spoken in opposition of a casino in Holyoke, even as recent of October 11 in a piece in Commonwealth Magazine.
The change in positions, Morse adds, is likely to spark some “lively debate” and that he is not abandoning or changing city priorities. Instead he’s “shifting strategies.”
Now, Morse says that this begins what he wants to be a “transparent process.” The city will soon release specific dates for public input.
Morse urges that “no backroom deals” have taken place.
It is unreal that these Politicians get elected on a bed of lies and than they do what they want simply because People are stupid. No wonder so many of our kids lack any morals or principles. Holyoke is the poorest in the State because you chose to make it a haven for illegals and people who think the working folks should continue to pay for their entitlements. Holyoke would be the last place I would risk to take my family for entertainment. I have met the enemy and it is my Government.
WEASEL U TALK LIKE U KNOW. HAVEN FOR ILLEGALS? R U SERIOUS. THAT SAYS ALOT ABOUT U. POLITICS WILL BE POLITICS. GO HOLYOKE BUILD CASINOS STRIP BARS. LOL
Holyoke is a dump for ensure it will remain the same and bring in more criminals You sound like you are a recent graduate of the Holyoke school system. At least you can spell the name they gave you. Check the balance on your EBT card.
Shifting strategies = going back on his word that he gave to get elected
Simply a LIAR and a member in good standing in the People’s Republic of MA Party of Crime.
He might be 23, but he’s a real politician
Yep and he learned from this Nation election that there is no consequences if you Lie to get elected.
Everyone is entitled to protest and free speech, but those in disagreement were incredibly disrespectful and wouldn’t let the man even lay out some possibilities. It was embarrassing to say the least, but given the context which he outlined, it would be incredibly naive to not reconsider a different strategy. Those of us that reside in Holyoke all want what is best for the city, but the possibility for a dialogue is often times silenced by a sector that fails to consider that our City is the poorest in Massachusetts… They are cutting off their nose despite their face…
I don’t use the term “racist” very often, but this comment is obviously an illustration of that. Most of the so-called “illegals” are in fact US Citizens, disproportionately from Puerto Rico. Most of that population, especially in the most impoverished sectors of that City, mostly rent their housing and therefore subsidize the REAL “entitlement” class, which are the owners of those buildings. The tenants used to be the working classes during the heyday of the City, but are now currently rented by these “illegals,” which are quite frankly, keeping the ENTIRE economy of Holyoke afloat… The above comment is not only an example of a “weasel” comment as you say, but illustrative of much of the thinking about our City by the wider Pioneer Valley–an area that ironically purports to be the “most educated.”
Yea, I wonder what the source of the income is that pays their rent. Surely not from working.
Holyoke is #3 right after Palmer & Springfield.
Interesting that he has been entertaining the idea since September but made a comment in a regional publication that “There would be no casino in Holyoke” on October 11th .. ummmm
The area where the old “Mountain Park” amusement park used to be, is a MUCH BETTER place for a casino than Page Boulevard In Springfield! But if they put a Casino there, how about RE-OPENING Mount Tom as a Ski area as well!? The Casino will get Billions of dollars a year, so there’s no reason why they can’t pay for Mount Tom to be re-opened in the Winter, so people who like to ski have another option for skiing instead of just Blandford or Vermont!
And nothing against Blandford or Vermont skiing, but would rather drive 20 minutes to Mount Tom, then 45 minutes to Blandford, or 1 hour+ to Vermont. And by re-opening Mount Tom, I mean re-open it like it was! I don’t want slot machines in the snack area, or people in the bathrooms handing me towels. Re-open Mount Tom just the way it was, with the cheap food, sticky cement floors, and small bathrooms and locker rooms. Well, okay, they can upgrade the bathrooms and locker rooms!!
Bring back the “Alpine Slide” as well! The wave pool and waterslides too! Re-opening Mount Tom as a ski area in the Winter, and having the “Alpine Slide”, wave pool, and waterslides in the Summer means = JOBS!!!!!!
Kudos to u mayor ur seeing the light at the end of the dark tunnel!
I agree w reopening mt Tom to skiing haven’t skied since it closed!! And gives people in area a great sport to do in winter!!
Can people ever change their mind at least he’s looking for something to get Holyoke back on the map we have lost all the old businesses in downtown area!!!!!!!!
Hi Debbie! Yeah, when Mt. Tom was open for skiing, I skied there at night when they had those cheap “night passes”, and almost every weekend in the winter! Sense it has been closed, I have only going skiing a handful of times over the years. I don’t want to drive an hour and thirty minutes to Vermont or 2 hours+ to New Hampshire. Even Blandford is a 45 minute drive if there is no traffic! If the casino really wants to build a Mountain Park, then the mayor should tell them that as part of the deal Mt. Tom skiing gets restored, revived, and re-opened as well. I won’t go to the casino every weekend, but will go skiing at Mt. Tom every weekend, which means business being brought to Holyoke!! The mayor needs to really consider this, bringing skiing back to Mt. Tom!!!!!
Holyoke is a joke. Only rhyme you need to know. Only rhyme that explains the city.