RI Gov. Lincoln Almond said yesterday he would "oppose" a statewide referendum on a new stadium for the Patriots, and would prefer to "let the General Assembly decide the merits" of any deal he negotiates with team Owner Robert Kraft, according to Christopher Rowland of the Providence JOURNAL-BULLETIN. Almond said that a public referendum could not be held until November '98, which is "too late" to fit the team's timetable. The JOURNAL-BULLETIN's Rowland reports that while talks "have dragged on in recent weeks" as the state "sought guarantees" from the team that revenue shortfalls would "not be absorbed" by taxpayers, Almond's administration is in the "final stages" of negotiations with the team on the deal for construction of the $250-300M stadium (Providence JOURNAL-BULLETIN, 9/12). TUNA HELPERS: With Bill Parcells returning to Foxboro to face his old team this weekend, the Patriots "are beefing up" security personnel by 15% for the game, according to Nick Cafardo of the BOSTON GLOBE. Pats VP/ Communications Don Lowery said police "will be looking" for scalpers and that anyone intoxicated "will not be allowed into the stadium" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/12).
