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Town Officials, Harrahs Resume Talks

Town officials in West Warwick, Rhode Island and Harrah's Entertainment have resumed negotiations regarding a casino that is set to be built on the town.

West Warwick Town Council President John Flynn said that he wants to strike a deal that would be made public with Harrah's before the November elections with regards to the payments that the company would be owing the town if the casino is built.

A question to the voters is included in the November ballot asking if they agree to amend the state constitution to permit the Narragansett Indian Tribe and its partners to operate a casino in West Warwick. Narragansett Indian Tribe has long been partnered with Harrah's, although the partnership of the tribe with the casino gaming giant has been a closely guarded secret.

The amendment if passed, will also exempt the tribe from a constitutional provision that requires the state to run all lotteries, including casinos.

Harrah's could be paying West Warwick as much as $25 million annually according to Council Vice President Edward Giroux, who supports the casino. The town has a budget of $78.3 million this year.

However there are also those opposed to the casino. According to Councilman Peter Calci, Harrah's will need to address the quality of life concerns for people who live near the casino site.