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West Warwick Casino Debate Fizzles

WEST WARWICK, Rhode Island – As reported by the Providence Journal: "The raging debate over a brief that town lawyers submitted to the Rhode Island Supreme Court in support of casino-referendum legislation fizzled last night, after the Town Council voted not to withdraw the brief.

"Republican council member Leo J. Costantino Jr. had objected to the so-called friend-of-the-court brief, submitted by the law firm Lynch & Friel, because it had been filed without the council's explicit approval. Casino critics seized upon the issue, accusing the law firm of overstepping its authority.

"West Warwick Citizens Against the Casino filed a complaint with the state attorney general arguing that the brief is invalid. And Costantino, who opposes the proposed casino, called on the council to withdraw the brief and open debate on the issue.

"But last night, Costantino sat silently as the council voted, 3-2, to stand by the brief. He did vote against the motion, introduced by council member John J. Flynn, as did Peter F. Calci Jr., the other casino critic on the council.

"…The brief filed on the town's behalf, by the law firm that was retained to negotiate a host-community agreement with Harray's, cost about $10,000, money council President Jeanne-Marie DiMasi called well spent…"

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