View from the Nest - Nov. 3, 2011
“There is not a town in America where they’ve brought in a casino or a racino and it improved the economic vitality of a downtown,” he said. “It hasn’t happened, and yet you’ll see the owner of the WonderBar saying ‘I can’t wait for a casino because after they’re done gambling they come down to the bar.’ It doesn’t happen. It doesn’t happen anywhere.”
That’s a quote from Dennis Bailey, CasinosNo! spokesman, that appears in this week’s Courier. I know for a fact that’s not what the owner of WonderBar thinks. He happens to be my father-in-law and his son is my husband.
They don’t think racino visitors are going to fall all over themselves to visit downtown Biddeford. However, they do hope the people employed by the racino will feel confident enough to spend their money downtown. That’s the shot in the arm business owners hope for.
While Bailey insists a racino or casino hasn’t improved a downtown, he said at a press conference last week there is no study that proves a gaming facility has damaged a downtown area. If such a study did exist, I’d bet that CasinosNo! would pay good money for it.
On a related note, Hollywood Slots in Bangor has opened a simulcast racing operation on Main Street where people can place bets on races that take place throughout the country and at the local harness racing track. I can imagine the joy/anger that would bring to downtown supporters in Biddeford.
I went to press conferences for the pro- and anti-racino groups last Thursday.
How strategic that they were both held on the same day – although I was told racino proponents scheduled theirs first.
Members of the “Yes on 2” campaign met at Reilly’s on Main Street in Biddeford and it was packed. People stood and waved signs, cheered, smiled and shook one another’s hands. They were boisterous for sure.
Members of the “No on 2 and 3” campaign met at North Dam Mill later in the afternoon. A good chunk of the people there were members of the media – about a dozen others showed up to listen to a panel of racino opponents. Everyone was so quiet and proper as they sat and listened to different arguments against a racino in Biddeford.
Who will win? The boisterous people or the hands-folded-in-the-lap people?
Nothing about this question on the ballot is partisan, but these press conferences remind me of the way my mother has always described Democrats and Republicans: the Democrats wear their hearts on their sleeves and are the “peoples’ people.” She always described Republicans as stiff and said “they’re no fun,” as she stuck her nose in the air and squished her face – her best representation of the typical Republican.
I’m not pinning anyone down who attended the events as Republican or Democrat, as I’m sure some readers will think. It’s just a thought.
My uncle, Marston Lovell, is running for the Ward 7 City Council seat in Saco and said something that made me feel for those who run for office. He said even if he’s confident he has the support of constituents, he’s not certain everyone will get out and vote.
People forget to vote – life happens. I used to be guilty of that. I had the best intentions to vote many times and just never got around to it. Tuesdays are the busiest day of the week for me so voting took a second seat always. I never admitted that I didn’t vote – I was too ashamed I guess. When my co-workers teased another about not voting I slunk back in my office and stayed quiet.
This year, though, I already voted. It means so much to those who run for office. My uncle really wants to be re-elected. I’m sure his opponent, Nathan Johnston, does too. So please, just vote.
Voters may vote by absentee ballot, for any reason, through the close of business at 4 p.m. today. Requests for absentee ballots to be mailed or delivered must also be received by the town clerk’s office by 4 p.m. today.
After Nov. 3, in the event a voter who intended to vote at the polls on Election Day finds they have an unexpected absence during the entire time the polls are open on election day, or a voter with a physical disability or an incapacity or illness that makes the voter unable to leave home or a treatment facility may apply for a special circumstances application allowing them to cast an absentee ballot. Only the voter can make the request.
– Molly Lovell-Keely
That’s a quote from Dennis Bailey, CasinosNo! spokesman, that appears in this week’s Courier. I know for a fact that’s not what the owner of WonderBar thinks. He happens to be my father-in-law and his son is my husband.
They don’t think racino visitors are going to fall all over themselves to visit downtown Biddeford. However, they do hope the people employed by the racino will feel confident enough to spend their money downtown. That’s the shot in the arm business owners hope for.
While Bailey insists a racino or casino hasn’t improved a downtown, he said at a press conference last week there is no study that proves a gaming facility has damaged a downtown area. If such a study did exist, I’d bet that CasinosNo! would pay good money for it.
On a related note, Hollywood Slots in Bangor has opened a simulcast racing operation on Main Street where people can place bets on races that take place throughout the country and at the local harness racing track. I can imagine the joy/anger that would bring to downtown supporters in Biddeford.
I went to press conferences for the pro- and anti-racino groups last Thursday.
How strategic that they were both held on the same day – although I was told racino proponents scheduled theirs first.
Members of the “Yes on 2” campaign met at Reilly’s on Main Street in Biddeford and it was packed. People stood and waved signs, cheered, smiled and shook one another’s hands. They were boisterous for sure.
Members of the “No on 2 and 3” campaign met at North Dam Mill later in the afternoon. A good chunk of the people there were members of the media – about a dozen others showed up to listen to a panel of racino opponents. Everyone was so quiet and proper as they sat and listened to different arguments against a racino in Biddeford.
Who will win? The boisterous people or the hands-folded-in-the-lap people?
Nothing about this question on the ballot is partisan, but these press conferences remind me of the way my mother has always described Democrats and Republicans: the Democrats wear their hearts on their sleeves and are the “peoples’ people.” She always described Republicans as stiff and said “they’re no fun,” as she stuck her nose in the air and squished her face – her best representation of the typical Republican.
I’m not pinning anyone down who attended the events as Republican or Democrat, as I’m sure some readers will think. It’s just a thought.
My uncle, Marston Lovell, is running for the Ward 7 City Council seat in Saco and said something that made me feel for those who run for office. He said even if he’s confident he has the support of constituents, he’s not certain everyone will get out and vote.
People forget to vote – life happens. I used to be guilty of that. I had the best intentions to vote many times and just never got around to it. Tuesdays are the busiest day of the week for me so voting took a second seat always. I never admitted that I didn’t vote – I was too ashamed I guess. When my co-workers teased another about not voting I slunk back in my office and stayed quiet.
This year, though, I already voted. It means so much to those who run for office. My uncle really wants to be re-elected. I’m sure his opponent, Nathan Johnston, does too. So please, just vote.
Voters may vote by absentee ballot, for any reason, through the close of business at 4 p.m. today. Requests for absentee ballots to be mailed or delivered must also be received by the town clerk’s office by 4 p.m. today.
After Nov. 3, in the event a voter who intended to vote at the polls on Election Day finds they have an unexpected absence during the entire time the polls are open on election day, or a voter with a physical disability or an incapacity or illness that makes the voter unable to leave home or a treatment facility may apply for a special circumstances application allowing them to cast an absentee ballot. Only the voter can make the request.
– Molly Lovell-Keely
Comments