Biddeford Downs last week filed certified signatures with the Secretary of State on a citizen’s initiative to correct provisions of Maine’s racino law to allow the proposed Biddeford racino to move forward.

Biddeford Downs filed 76,536 certified signatures on Jan. 19. The citizen’s initiative also would allow for a tribal racino in Washington County.

City voters in November approved a plan to move Scarborough Downs to Biddeford as part of a hotel, racino and racetrack complex on Andrews Road. Supporters say the racino would create jobs, generate tax money and support the harness racing industry.

Biddeford Downs partners Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties Ltd. remain confident the Maine Legislature will take the lead and enact changes to move the project forward, said spokesman Crystal Canney.

The racino law was created following a statewide racino referendum in 2003. It imposed a Dec. 20, 2003, deadline for local approval. Scarborough voters rejected plans for a racino and Scarborough Downs Owner Sharon Terry began looking to move to a different community. Hollywood Slots racino operates near the racetrack in Bangor.

The changes also would correct provisions of the Oxford County citizen’s initiative passed in November that requires racinos and casinos must be at least 100 miles apart.

“The Oxford referendum includes some very unusual and ill-conceived provisions, including a provision that appears to require a statewide referendum on each license application – including another referendum on any proposed Oxford County facility,” said Scarborough Downs Attorney Edward MacColl in a prepared statement. “We are confident the legislation can and will bring order and fairness to the process while protecting the future of Maine harness racing and honoring the will of Maine voters for racinos at both commercial tracks.”

Police departments gather evidence in carjacking case

Saco police continue to gather evidence in their investigation of a burglary and carjacking reported on Dec. 30.

Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Holland said after developing more leads, police obtained a search warrant for 1040 Ocean Ave. in Portland. The property includes an automotive garage, apartment and house.

Police were looking for evidence connected to the burglary of a home on Louden Road. Police said the homeowner found two men inside his home. They fired at least two shots at the homeowner before forcing an 18-year-old South Portland woman to stop her car and drive them from the scene.

Holland said Portland police used its special response team to serve the warrant Jan. 18 with assistance from a response team of officers from South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough. He said the caution was used because a gun was involved in the Saco incident.

Holland said response teams spent more than an hour securing the property. Saco detectives then spent about three hours searching the buildings and securing evidence. Police also are waiting results of DNA evidence. 

Saco police will soon meet with the district attorney’s office to review the case. No charges have been filed.

Police seize pounds of pot, arrest Biddeford man

A Biddeford man was arrested Jan. 19 after Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigators found him with more than a pound of processed marijuana.

Paul J. Smith, 23, was charged with unlawful trafficking in schedule Z drugs and is expected to appear in York County Superior Court March 9. Police said Smith was in the process of having 2 pounds of processed marijuana shipped to a customer in Biddeford when it was intercepted by MDEA during a planned traffic stop.

Smith was expecting $4,000 in exchange for two pounds of marijuana, according to police. During the traffic stop, agents seized 1.25 pounds of processed marijuana. They later seized 2.5 pounds of processed marijuana from a co-conspirator in Buxton, according to police.

Police also expect to file charges against the co-conspirator.

OOB eyes new plans for dispatch services

Old Orchard Beach Town Councilors are expected to continue discussioning plans to consolidate dispatch services with Sanford Regional Communications Center.

Town Manager Jack Turcotte said town officials have looked at the possibility of consolidating emergency and non-emergency dispatch services since the last budget cycle. The town would save $135,000 annually by having Sanford handle the town’s calls, he said.

Town councilors will consider the plan at their regular meeting Feb. 1 at town hall.

If approved by town councilors, the town would pay a one-time fee of $124,000 to set up needed technology, then pay $300,000 per year for dispatch services. That amounts to an annual savings of $135,000 and is unlikely to eliminate many jobs, Turcotte said.

Turcotte said Old Orchard Beach currently employs a mix of full-time and part-time dispatchers who can apply for jobs at the regional center. He said it is difficult for small communities to keep up with changes in technology, which regional centers are better equipped to handle.

Sanford Regional Communications Center answers all 911 calls from Acton, Alfred, Arundel, Kennebunk, Lebanon, Limerick, Newfield, North Berwick, Sanford, Springvale, Shapleigh and Waterboro. The center also dispatches police, fire and rescue crews to non-emergency calls.

Woman rewarded for recycling suggestion

Sharon Hooper won a Biddeford Solid Waste Management Commission contest for her suggestion on ways to increase the city’s recycling rate.

Commission Member Paul Therrien said the contest was held to solicit ideas on how to encourage more households to voluntarily recycle. Hooper was named the winner by a panel of judges who evaluated each entry. She will receive 100 gallons of home heating oil.

Hooper suggested the commission set a goal for community recycling each year, use local newspapers to educate the public and encourage the school department to incorporate recycling into the curriculum.

“I think it’s terrific,” Therrien said of the suggestions. “It has to be something we teach our kids.”

Therrien said contest forms were mailed to 4,300 single-family homes in the city and commissioners were happy to receive more than 500 responses. He said the commission will look into implementing Hooper’s suggestions. He anticipates commissioners will meet with the school board curriculum committee to discuss how to incorporate information about recycling into the curriculum.

Therrien said about 10 percent of the city’s solid waste is recycled. Selling recyclables generated $130,836 for the city last year and avoided more than $24,000 in costs of sending waste to Maine Energy Recovery Co.

Valentino named to House committee

Rep. Linda Valentino has  been reappointed to serve on the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.

Valentino, a Democrat from Saco, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and previously sat on the committee. The committee focuses on high-profile policy work that relates to elections, gambling and veterans issues.

The committee also has oversight of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations and the Maine National Guard.

“I look forward to helping shape and guide how our state approaches the critical issues before this committee,” Valentino said in a prepared statement. “Our committee will be weighing in on key matters from the clean election system to establishing a casino in Oxford County.”

Valentino also will serve on the Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Reform, which was created this session to review the regulatory process and provide reforms to support the growth of business and jobs.