http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=n ... mc4wvtyzswBiddeford voters clash over racino proposal
By DINA MENDROS
Staff Writer
Published:
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 12:09 PM EDT
BIDDEFORD — Tensions ran high on Tuesday, when a standing room only crowd packed City Hall to discuss the proposal to bring harness racing and an accompanying slot machine facility to Biddeford. Discussion by proponents and opponents of the measure at times elicited applause, booing and shouting.
The issue became public on Aug. 17 when, after holding an executive session, the City Council voted to place a referendum question on the Nov. 2 ballot asking residents whether or not they want a racino in Biddeford.
The proposed $125 million development, dubbed Biddeford Downs, would include a harness racing track, a facility with 1,000 or more slot machines, and a hotel and entertainment complex. It is proposed to be built on a 70-acre city-owned parcel of undeveloped land along the Andrews Road.
Investors in the project include Scarborough Downs owner Sharon Terry, who would move the track to Biddeford, and hotel developer Ocean Properties LTD.
Supporters, including city officials, claim the proposed racino would bring 500 jobs – paying on average $30,000 per year, according to the developers – as well as much needed tax revenue to the city.
Opponents object to the lack of specific information about the deal, the fast-tracking of the proposal, the location, a possible increase in crime and other issues.
Many of those opposing the racino sported stickers supporting Citizens Against a Bad Deal, a group that has formed in opposition to the racino.
A petition by the group, calling for a public meeting on the issue, was presented to the City Council Tuesday.
Although a public forum on the issue was held on Oct. 4 at the City Theater, those against the racino complained that it was one-sided since only the investors and the Mayor Joanne Twomey, who supports the racino, were allowed to make a presentation.
A public hearing on the racino referendum will be held Monday, at 6 p.m., in City Council Chambers, at City Hall.
In addition to what they say is the one-sided promotion of the proposal by the city, opponents also object to the process used to get the referendum question on the local ballot.
The executive session during which the issue was discussed prior to the council’s vote on the question was illegal, said Portland attorney Timothy Shannon.
The 30-day time limit for someone to object to the legality of the executive session has expired, said City Attorney Keith Jacques, and therefore it is legal.
Lack of public discussion and public notice prior to the council’s decision, as well as using city resources to promote the project were also concerns, said Shannon.
“What’s the hurry?” asked resident and small business owner Holly Culloton, whose opinion was echoed by many of those who said they planned to vote “no” next month.
Even those who said they might support the racino said they didn’t have enough information to make an informed opinion.
“A ‘no’ vote would be a better vote until all your questions are answered,” said resident Dana Johnson.
Some objected to the potential increase in crime from a racino.
Resident Joshua Bodwell said despite what the Bangor police chief has said in the press, there has been a 40 percent increase in crime in that city since Hollywood Slots opened in 2005.
Bangor is the only city in Maine with a racino.
While there has been an increase in crime in Bangor, said Police Chief Ron Gastia in a prior interview, he can’t correlate that to Hollywood Slots.
Conservation Commission Chairman Denis Rioux said the proposed location of the racino was his concern. He said the parcel proposed for the development, between the Andrews Road and South Street, is a significant wildlife habitat that would be threatened by a project of such magnitude.
City Councilor Patricia Boston, who voted to place the referendum question on the ballot, said she wished she could take her vote back.
“I drank the Kool-Aid,” said Boston.
She said she expected there to be more public information about the proposal, but she said that hasn’t been forthcoming.
In addition, while the mayor has said a “yes” vote in November is needed to begin negotiations and the process could be stopped, Boston said, according to the City Charter, a “yes” vote would be binding.
After the meeting, City Manager John Bubier said a “yes” vote would not be binding because the language of the question notes that needed approvals must be received and the city must negotiate a deal to its liking for the project to go forward.
Supporters of the racino, like Jose Demme, said, “The city’s going down. The way to revitalize the city is with jobs.”
Several non-residents who make their living from harness racing also spoke in favor of the racino. Samantha Robinson is a groom at Scarborough Downs and said her family trains race horses. Without that harness racetrack, she said, her family couldn’t make a living.
Bob Tourangeau, a trainer at Scarborough Downs, said six years ago he was down to one horse, which he was readying to retire. Due to the construction of Hollywood Slots, he now trains eight horses.
A number of racino opponents alluded to the proposed racino being as bad for the city’s economic prosperity as the Maine Energy Recovery Company’s downtown waste incinerator. Others claimed that the jobs that would arise from the development would be menial jobs like housekeeping.
In response, resident Rick Dussault said, “not everyone will be a lawyer.
“You’re gonna need people to clean the rug for the lawyers,” he said. “It’s not a MERC plant, it’s a racino racetrack.”
After the public spoke about the issue, a motion to not use city, state or federal dollars on the racino project was tabled until after the election on Nov. 2.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://ww ... KEfXGVomLQBiddeford racino foes seek special meeting
City councilors put the proposal on the fall ballot after an illegal session, critics say.
By Ann S. Kim
akim@pressherald.comElan is going to move the track,.
