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With recent poll results showing statewide support for a casino in West Warwick, Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief had another thing to celebrate.
Last night, with drinks flowing and a five-piece band playing old standards in front of a jovial crowd that filled the Knights of Columbus Hall in Warwick, the organization celebrated the opening of its third campaign office in Rhode Island. Slated for opening next Wednesday at its 1277 Jefferson Blvd. location, the office will be yet another campaign location for the group, which represents the interests of the Narragansett Indian Tribe. The tribe and its supporters hope to see the addition of a Harrah's casino in West Warwick should the proposal pass its final hurdle - Rhode Island voters, specifically on the Nov. 7 ballot.
"We are delighted with the recent poll results ... it really demonstrates to us that the people of Rhode Island are receiving our message. It certainly shows us that we have more work to do, and that's exactly what we are planning on doing right through the Nov. 7 vote," said spokesperson Clare Eckert yesterday.
The group also has an office on Westminster Street in Providence, and just last month celebrated the opening of its West Warwick office in Phoenix. The group said that it plans on opening its second Providence location, on Atwells Avenue, next week as well.
"Rhode Islanders for Jobs and Tax Relief plans to expand beyond Warwick as well," said Eckert. "We're happy that our support is gaining. Our visibility is expanding throughout the state, and we're delighted that so many people are planning on coming to celebrate the Warwick office," said Eckert prior to the event.
Though the city's officials have a longstanding history of passing resolutions publicly decrying the casino project, Eckert said that the organization saw Warwick as a logical move due to its size and its proximity to West Warwick.
"West Warwick is the second largest city in the state, and therefore it certainly makes sense to have a presence right here," she said.
After giving those in attendance a chance to fill up on a sizable buffet spread, Narragansett Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas addressed the crowd, heralding the promise of jobs and tax relief that a Harrah's/Narragansett casino could bring to Rhode Island, as opposed to the daily outpouring of money spent by Rhode Islanders in neighboring Connecticut casinos.
"A lot of people don't realize the job opportunities this will make available ... I worked as a janitor and for [Narragansett] Parks and Recreation for many years ... there is absolutely nothing wrong with making an honest living," he said, to much applause.
"Do we want to keep these jobs in R.I.?" he asked, as members of the audience nodded in agreement.
Thomas went on to assure those present that, should the people of Rhode Island change its state constitution in order to work with the tribe, the tribe would promise to work with local vendors and businesses - running shuttles from its casino to popular destinations around the state, including the beaches and Providence's Federal Hill district.
"We're going to work with the people of Rhode Island, and that's a promise," he said.
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