By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer
    
The way Sen. Nancy Sullivan sees it, Biddeford residents “spoke loudly and clearly” when they voted last year to allow a $120 million racetrack and racino development on city-owned land.  
Now, she said, their decision is under fire by opponents of a november ballot question, which, if approved, will allow Scarborough Downs to relocate to the city to create the Biddeford Downs racetrack, racino and hotel complex on Andrews Road.
“They voted for Biddeford Downs because they wanted jobs and to move Biddeford forward,” said Sullivan, a Democrat whose district includes part of Biddeford.
Sullivan was one of eight Biddeford Downs supporters who spoke Monday at a kick-off event for the campaign to support a yes vote on question two in November. The press conference at Al Dube Farm in Biddeford drew nearly two dozen supporters.
The ballot question seeks approval of voters statewide for slot machines at proposed harness racing tracks in York and Washington counties.
The Passamaquoddy Tribe in Washington County wants to build a harness racing track and racino to provide jobs and stimulate economic development, according to Chief Joseph Socobasin.
Sharon Terry, owner and president of Scarborough Downs, has partnered with Ocean Properties Ltd. to develop the racetrack and racino facility with 1,500 slot machines. She said she is committed to opening the facility in Biddeford.
Terry said additional revenue is needed to keep the harness racing industry alive and support agriculture in Maine.
“For Scarborough Downs and the harness racing tradition in southern Maine, this vote represents new life,” Terry said. “All we’re asking for is a chance to compete. Harness racing supports agriculture jobs as well, from hay and feed to the thousands of others involved in service related jobs.”
Terry said Maine will benefit from an estimated $50 million annual contribution to the state’s general fund, college scholarship in the University of Maine and community college system, agriculture, fairs and harness racing.
Biddeford Mayor Joanne Twomey, who is seeking a third term, said she supports approval of the project because it will bring hundreds of jobs to the city. Tom Varley, senior vice president of operations for Ocean Properties, estimates the project will generate 800 construction jobs and 500 full-time positions with an average salary of $35,000.
Twomey said more than 40 jobs from two businesses have been lost in Biddeford in the past week and two other businesses have said they could close. She said she has spoken to residents who were initially against the racino but have come to support it because of the promise of jobs.
“We cannot turn our backs on this project,” she said. “These are real jobs for real people.”

Ernie Lowell, a blacksmith from Saco, stopped to pound a horseshoe on an anvil before stepping behind the lectern to make his case for the racino. He said after 43 years in the industry he is not ready to give up his job.
“My heart is in agriculture,” he said, noting approval of Biddeford Downs will support agriculture across the state.
Lowell said his grandson, Casey Cole, is studying veterinary medicine in London.
“My dream is for him to come home and work locally when he graduates,” he said.
Don Marean, a Hollis horse breeder and harness racing industry representative, said supporting agriculture allows for preservation of open space. He said harness racing has a large financial impact on land, services and products.
Marean cited a 2000 impact study that showed the harness racing industry had a $55 million impact across the state. A study 18 months ago shows the impact is up to $200 million, he said.
“Every single race horse touches at least 12 people” from veterinarians to trainers, Marean said. “There are 3,500 racehorses in Maine. We are a huge impact.”
Terry said if the question is not approved, Scarborough Downs would eventually close if it cannot compete with other venues.
“We’ll continue to go as long as we can,” she said.

Dennis Bailey, spokesman for CasinosNo!, said proposed racinos are a “scam” that will do nothing but prop up the harness racing industry and draw customers away from downtown businesses.
“The truth is slot machines don’t help harness racing,” he said. “The number of people who are going to harness racing events is declining all across the country.”
Bailey said Biddeford Downs could find itself “nothing more than a small regional player” with the likely addition of three casinos and a racino in Massachusetts and the possible addition of table games in Bangor and at a casino seeking approval to open in Lewiston.
“It’s a farce to think the harness racing industry will be revived by slot machines,” he said. “The way to improve harness racing is to get people into the stands. This will not do that.”