A public hearing on the Biddeford Downs racino is scheduled for Monday, when proponents will make their case to the legislature, asking them to allow construction of the $120 million facility to move forward without a statewide vote of approval.
Biddeford voters already voiced their support of the project, which would move the Scarborough Downs racetrack to Biddeford and add a slot machine and resort complex, this past November.
The racino developers, Ocean Properties, say the rest of the state has already approved it, too, in 2003. That’s when Maine voters said they would allow two harness racing/slot machine “racinos” in the state. Later, in 2007, the tribal racino in Oxford County was also approved, but vetoed by then-Gov. John Baldacci, and this bill, LD 1203, would allow that project to move ahead, too, without another statewide vote.
Hollywood Slots racino was created in Bangor, first opening a temporary location in 2005, but Scarborough Downs was unable to find a new location for their project within the original bill’s time frame.
Now Ocean Properties is asking for an extension of that deadline, since they’ve finally found a willing community eight years later. They’re also arguing that Hollywood Slots doesn’t count as one of the two racinos because it is not a “fully integrated” racino ”“ horse racing is on one side of the road, while the slots are on the other. This means there is still allowance for two, per the 2003 vote, they say, making Biddeford Downs and a tribal racino in Washington County a perfect fit.
It’s tempting to agree with them, especially when one considers the immediate need for construction jobs and the boost that would give the local economy. By waiting for another vote this November, the city is putting off an estimated $40 million in salaries, according to City Manager John Bubier, and that’s a tough pill to swallow for anyone who has been wallowing in unemployment for months or years now.
The problem is that it has been eight years since the 2003 vote, and while we appreciate the position of Ocean Properties and certainly recognize the need for jobs, we must support sending this issue back to the voters of the entire state.
A gambling facility is not akin to most other types of businesses, which is why the state has a process in place to deal with approval of casinos. Gambling is a highly charged issue that raises concerns among some people about social ills, including gambling addiction and increases in criminal activity. Others have concerns about an influx of minimum wage jobs on which people have a difficult time making a living, or the impact on traffic and public safety services like police and fire response for such a large development.
Supporters tout the job creation, the economic boost from tourists and regional horsemen who are expected to flock to this destination resort, and the funds that will be directed toward Biddeford’s downtown improvements and high school renovation project.
Yes, Biddeford voters approved the racino, but all of these aspects of the proposed racino ”“ on either side of the argument ”“ will impact the entire area in some way, not just the City of Biddeford. Arundel, Kennebunk, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and other surrounding towns should most certainly have a say, since they will be directly impacted, and since the system is set up for a statewide rather than a countywide vote, this is the only way they will have a voice in this major change to our county.
A precedent has been set in Maine that all casino projects go to a statewide referendum ”“ not eight years ahead of time, when a location is unclear and details unavailable, but after a basic proposal is on the table. We cannot in good conscience say that when we all voted in 2003, we were approving this particular racino project in Biddeford ”“ and discounting Hollywood Slots from the total count seems a stretch just because a street runs through it.
And what of the proposal for a casino in Lewiston? This past November, the state’s voters gave the OK to a casino in Oxford county and the Bangor racino was approved as part of the 2003 vote. If the legislature gives the go-ahead to LD 1203 and allows the Biddeford and Washington County racinos, it would only be fair to approve the project in Lewiston as well without a statewide vote. At that point, we’ll be a state with five gambling facilities in a very short period of time. That is why we believe voters need to have another say, with all of today’s facts in hand, before we make that jump.
Of course, Ocean Properties would very much like to avoid the great expense and hassle of going through another referendum for approval of its proposed development, and we can understand that it’s a frustrating process. For any other business, this level of voting locally and statewide would be ridiculously cumbersome, but we must all acknowledge that having gambling facilities in our state affects our image as a state ”“ for better or worse, depending on your viewpoint ”“ and requires a higher level of scrutiny than an average hotel or convenience store.
This is not a case where the legislature should be the ones making a hasty decision that will affect us all for years to come.
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