Have a Safe & Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Vol. 35, No.21-FREE-781-286-8500 www.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday Friday, May 23, 2025 Election Season Kicks Off in the Beach City It’s an election year in Revere for city council and school committee, but not for the mayor and with that, comes campaign fundraisers. Pictured at left, former Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo is shown being greeted by Mayor Patrick and First Lady Jennifer Keefe at the mayor’s Spring Fling fundraiser at Casa Lucia. Pictured at right, Councillor-at-Large Tony Zambuto and State Rep. Jeff Turco are greeted by Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio at Rincon Limeño. See photo highlights inside. (Advocate photos) Attorneys for former Wonderland Dog Track Heading Back to Court Advocate Staff Report T he eminent domain lawsuit against the city over the taking of Wonderland Dog Track is scheduled to begin in September, 2026. The former owners of Wonderland, CBW Lending LLC, are not contesting the taking of the property, but they believe they are being significantly shortchanged by the city which off ered $29.5 million for the 33-acre site. CBW is looking for a payout in the $100 million dollar range. “The owners are entitled to the highest and best price,” said Attorney Peter Flynn who is representing CBW. “ What the city did is give us the lowest price.” Although most eminent domain cases are resolved with a negotiated settlement, since the suit was fi led in early 2023, a meeting to discuss the case has been canceled and there have been no off ers of a settlement. For the past two years, Attorneys Flynn and Jason Scopa have been collecting data on what they say is Wonderland’s true value as of November, 18, 2022, the day the taking of the property was signed which is how eminent domain works. Often mentioned is the $355 million sale of the 50-acre Necco Candy Factory which took School Committee Meeting Mayor suggests cutting middle school lottery to subsidize school bussing costs Advocate Staff Report T he School Committee continued to struggle with next year’s budget at their meeting this week. Transportation seems to be the biggest challenge although the committee is working to chip away at a multi-million-dollar shortfall. School transportation, an expense that is covered by the city, is now estimated to cost $11.6 million thanks to reimbursements from the state. However, the city can only afford $9.7 million, a $500,000 increase over last year. SUGGESTS | SEE Page 2 place in that time frame. Rather than seeking a resolution, Revere is investing heavily in its defense. At a hearing on May 14, 2025 in Suff olk Superior Court on the status of the case, it was announced attorney John Leonard, who has been representing the city, is considering retirement. Leonard said he would need help with the case moving forward. Revere is bringing in additional legal help from Foley Hoag, a white shoe international law fi rm with offi ces in major cities throughout the United States and abroad and more than 300 lawyers on the payroll. With new lawyers coming on board, the city requested a delay in the start of the trial. Rather than beginning this fall, the case will wait until SepATTORNEYS | SEE Page 2
2 Publizr Home