Holyoke holds off on casino committee

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - Holyoke City Hall was packed Tuesday night as the City Council heard from the public and weighed the benefits of forming a special committee to review casino proposals.

After an extended public input period, the City Council decided not to rush to form a committee Tuesday.

Instead, they'll put the proposal before the Charter Committee next week, and decide whether to move forward with the special 5-member committee.

Councilors promise all sessions will be held in public.

"We plan on having all of our meetings in public,” said Kevin Jordan, a City Councilor. “There's not going be any private deals. If we have any meetings with Eric Suher, it's gonna be right here in open session, and certainly if anyone has any questions, they're welcome to ask and we will give answers."

Eric Suher is a local real estate developer who owns Mountain Park and is proposing a casino there.There is one and possibly two other proposals for Holyoke.

The Charter Committee will consider the special casino proposal committee some time next week.