Crimmins, 40, a corporate executive for Panera Bread, said the grass-roots opposition has been working nonstop since the news broke last week that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn have been discussing a deal to build a casino resort on Kraft-owned land across Route 1 from Gillette Stadium.
“We want to get out there early,’’ Crimmins said. “We need to find a way to say, ‘No, we are not going to let it happen.’ ’’
Wynn is expected to be Kraft’s guest today at Gillette Stadium when the Patriots play the Indianapolis Colts. Under the plan being discussed, Wynn would lease the land from Kraft and build a casino complex that could result in 10,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs.
Foxborough Selectwoman Lorraine Brue, who attended the rally, said she has received a wave of negative reaction to such a project.
“The feedback I’ve been getting from the community … has been vehemently opposed to this,’’ Brue said.
Brue said she wants public discussion to begin soon, perhaps in a meeting held at the high school before the end of the month. A zoning change to allow a casino would require two-thirds approval in a Town Meeting vote, Foxborough officials said.
“As a citizen, I’m opposed to this,’’ Brue said. “I’m concerned about the impact on property values, the impact on public safety, the traffic impact, the wear and tear on the roads.’’
John Davey, a 45-year-old lawyer with five children, said a historically good relationship between the town and Kraft would venture into unwanted territory with a casino.
“If a casino goes up, there will be some ‘For Sale’ signs going up in my neighborhood,’’ Davey said. “I’m concerned about property values declining in the shadow of a stadium.’’
