Community Corner
Newport Anti-Casino Group Announces New Officers, Vows to Keep Fighting
They might have been successful in getting a table gaming referendum shot down in November, but that doesn't mean the group's work is done.
On the heels of their successful campaign to convince Newporters to vote against a ballot referendum to add table games at Newport Grand, Citizens Concerned Against Casino Gambling has vowed to keep fighting their fight.
“While we were successful in the last election, 38 years of fighting casinos in Newport has taught us to remain active and vigilant”, said Liz Taber, president of CCACG. “We remain focused on educating voters and our elected officials about the harms of casino gambling and to support sustainable alternatives that strengthen our local economy.”
The organization announced Friday that they have elected new executive officers at its January public meeting.
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Taber, who served as campaign coordinator during the recent election, will now serve as President, replacing Fr. Eugue McKenna, who led CCACG for 20 years.
Frank Ray, a lawyer, will serve as vice president and Laurice Shaw, a longtime CCACG member and former Newport City Councilwoman, will replace Dave Wixted as secretary. Kiki McMahan will stay on as treasurer.
Find out what's happening in Newportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The announcement comes as Joseph Paolino Jr. nears a deal to buy Newport Grand from Diane Hurley, who has filed a court claim against the city in advance of the deal.
Paolino had proposed converting the former Newport Jai Alai complex, which is now a slot parlor facing increasing competition across the border in Massachusetts, into a luxury Monte Carlo-style casino and resort complex with facilities for concerts in addition to table games.
Voters rejected table games, but Paolino, after the election, said he was still interested in doing something at the site. One possibility would be to absorb the events lost with the closure of the Newport Yachting Center at the end of last summer.
But foes of casino gambling are worried that Newport voters might be asked, yet again, to approve the expansion of gambling at the site. Paolino remains mum on details and has not indicated if the property would undergo a major transformation without table games.
CCACG’s next meeting will be held at the Newport Public Library on Feb. 14.
Photo Courtesy: Citizens Concerned about Casino Gambling via Facebook
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