BIDDEFORD — Wil DuBois, a freshman at Biddeford High School, hopes to breed race horses when he grows up, following in his father’s and grandfather’s foot steps. He supports the proposed Biddeford Downs Racino ”“ with a combined harness racetrack and slot machine facility ”“ he said, because, “It means the rebirth of harness racing and my future career.”
DuBois, along with his parents and grandparents, was among the dozens who showed up at the Statehouse in Augusta on Monday to support LD 1203, which allows for racinos in both Biddeford and Washington County.
The legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee heard testimony on the merits of two citizen-initiated bills in support of expanding gaming facilities in the state ”“ LD 1203 and also LD 985, which would allow a 1,500-slot-machine casino in Lewiston.
The committee will hold a work session at a later date before voting on whether to recommend passage of the bills to the full legislature or to let voters decide the issues at the November election.
Historically, it’s been Maine voters who have decided whether to allow racinos or casinos in the sate. In 2003 they approved two racinos, carving the way for Hollywood Slots in Bangor. Just last year, they voted to allow a casino in Oxford County, which has yet to be built.
Supporters of both bills argued for passage of these bills during the current legislative session rather than waiting for voters to decide in November.
Horsemen, veterinarians, developers of the project and city officials spoke in favor of the bill to allow the two additional racinos in the state.
Biddeford Mayor Joanne Twomey said she favored the proposed $120 million Biddeford Downs Racino, being developed by Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties Ltd., because her community is in “desperate need.”
“This puts money back into our community and offers us hope ”¦ and jobs,” she said.
Biddeford Downs developers, who plan to build a racino with a hotel and entertainment complex, are promising millions of dollars in revenue for the city and state plus 800 construction jobs and 500 new permanent full-time jobs in the area.
City Manager John Bubier told committee members that the cost of waiting for the November election would be the loss of immediate jobs and the missed opportunity of pumping $40 million into the local economy, through jobs and revenue, as soon as possible.
Supporting harness racing was the initial impetus for the 2003 vote on racinos.
Don Marean, president of the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, said by waiting until November it will be too late to invest in new crops or make new investments for the following year.
Speaking against the Biddeford racino was resident Marc Worrell, president of the recently formed Mainers Against a Rotten Deal. He said he wants the people to decide.
“When we say Maine is the way life should be, is this what we want? To be the casino capital of the northeast?” asked Worrell.
Biddeford Councilor Clement Fleurent also opposes a racino in his city. He said he was “dumbfounded” at an August 2010 City Council meeting when he learned that the council was to vote that night on whether to put a racino referendum out to voters in the upcoming election. He noted that discussion on the issue, which wasn’t on the agenda, took place in executive session.
Among those supporting a racino on tribal land in Calais, which is part of LD 1203, was Calais City Manager Diane Barnes. She said the racino jobs are necessary because Washington County has a 12.9 percent unemployment rate.
In addition, said Barnes, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, the median age of Calais is 51.5. She said that’s because younger people are leaving the area to find jobs elsewhere.
Supporters of LD 985 said the casino in Lewiston, to be located in one of the former Bates Mill buildings in the downtown, could be the economic engine to boost investment in the city center.
Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert said the City Council believes that if other communities can have a casino Lewiston should also be allowed one as well.
Dennis Bailey, executive director of Casinos No!, spoke against the bill saying casinos have consequences on crime and infrastructure, affecting the whole area, not just the community in which they are located. The whole state should have a say, he said.
Dan Billings, chief legal counsel to Gov. Paul LePage, said the governor did not support the legislature voting on the bills, but would go along with whatever the people decided if the measures were on the November referendum.
Some committee members had concerns relating to both bills.
Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, said she needed to be convinced that the legislature should decide the issue rather than following the tradition of Maine residents voting on racino/casino questions. Sen. John Patrick, D-Rumford, who represents Oxford County, also expressed concern about whether the racino in Bangor and the Oxford County casino would be hurt by allowing up to three more gaming facilities in the state.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
