Plan to build third casino in Connecticut advances

After residents of East Windsor rejected an ordinance -submitted by petition- that town leaders said could have shut down casino plans, the project has move on to the next step.

"This proposed ordinance is about doing something the town already does plenty of: regulating what, where and how certain private and business activities can be carried out in our neighborhoods," said Brianna Stronk, who submitted the petition. 

"Do we really want a gaming facility within a 10-minute walk of a facility that currently provides mental health and addiction support?" asked another East Windsor resident who was in favor of the ordinance. 

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Town Counsel Joshua Hawks-Ladds said the proposed ordinance against the construction of the casino was illegal and that it would invite lawsuits and other problems down the road.

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"What happens once the casino is built and there's a state order to build a facility? You’re going to have a million dollar empty building on your hands?" Hawks-Ladds said. 

Supporters of the ordinance argued that it wasn't about eliminating the casino, but others said that's exactly what it boiled down to. 

At the end of the debate, town residents lined up to vote to accept or reject the ordinance. If they had accepted the ordinance, it would have gone to referendum. The proposed ordinance was rejected, 198 to 112.