Casino in Maine? (Bangor, Gray, Ellsworth: fit in, house, casinos)

[MRVphotog]

This is all just a rerun of the casino battle about 7 years ago for a casino outside of Sanford. It divided the state, signs everywhere and lost by public referendum.

Then along comes Penn National and talks the state and Bangor into alittle slot operation and "shouting it's not a casino". Fast forward to today and IMHO it's now a casino, no state vote..."it came in thru the bathroom window".

As you can imagine the pro casino folks from the depressed Sanford area aren't too happy.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

How has Hollywood Slots negatively impacted the city of Bangor?

Anyone?

[Acadianlion]

Originally Posted by Maine Writer

Anyone?

Too soon to tell.

There has been nothing, nor will there be anything "good" created by this slot parlor for the City of Bangor. A momentary spurt of dollars that might appear from time to time is not a "benefit" to the community.

Our emphasis on the tourism dollar has cheapened the state because more and more less and less of value is created by business in Maine.

My personal belief is that a community must have business and industrial growth that creates value. A slot parlor does nothing of the sort. A small plant that employes thirty five people and manufactures left handed widgets creates value and wealth for the local community.

Opening a new super center selling imported plastic junk from China does NOTHING to improve the wealth of the community. Those twenty salaried positions in the store with their benefits packages do not apply to the fifty other workers who are working for minimum wage on a part time basis.

But a casino of slot parlor is easy to install and run because the massive amounts of money from away can come in with an assured high rate of return that will go somewhere else.

I am voting no on the casino issue and if I had the chance, I would vote no on continuing to have a state lottery in Maine. The state is pointing in the wrong direction encouraging gambling as a cornucopia of good things for the residents of the state. Maine should be working on developing clean industrial growth and small business that actually creates wealth. That means improving transportation and reducing the cost of energy for all people in Maine.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by Acadianlion

Too soon to tell.

Two years is certainly enough time to know if crimes have increased because of Hollywood Slots.

[Maine Writer]

I found this in the Bangor Daily.

Police were called to Hollywood Slots 82 times between opening day and Oct. 10 for things ranging from disorderly conduct to car accidents in the parking lot, according to Bangor Deputy Police Chief Peter Arno. "From our perspective, we would say that Hollywood Slots has had little impact on crime," Arno said.

I have to go deal with the tenant and file court papers. When I get home later I'll have more time. I am interested in knowing how much of the predicted doom and gloom has happened before we vote next week.

[mollysmiles]

Last year there was a statement out of Bangor, made either by the city or the PD, that firmly announced no increase in crime for the year. I can't find a link to it, if I have time later I'll look again.

It's interesting to relate casino business to tourism. If Bangor or Calais were to build some type of stadium that attracted CUSTOMERS is that tourism too?? Very interesting. On average, SIX million passenger cars (how many person per car, hmmm?) clear US Customs, in Calais alone, every year. Is THAT all tourism? NOOOOO. But, wouldn't it be great if they actually had a reason to stop in Calais other than cheaper gas than in Canada, or a soda until they get to Bangor?? I resent the fact that the entire state gets to vote and impact a specific region's economy. Last year the people of Maine voted to NOT increase the economic stability of Washington County. It will be interesting to see what they do to Sanford this year.

Personally I would not go to a casino, it doesn't interest me in the least. BUT, I don't believe that my personal belief system has the right to impact the economic stability of a region. It's interesting to think about it on another level for me--for example: did you know that Latter-day Saints don't drink coffee or tea? They don't, as a general rule, it's part of their Words of Wisdom. Now say I move to an area that has a high ratio of LDS as compared to other faiths, and I want to open a coffee shop. Would the LDS have the right to forbid me to open a coffee shop simply because it is against their personal beliefs? Of course not!

[dmyankee]

I will vote no simply because the State will squander any money received and still want to raise revenue through taxation and fees. Just look no further than the tax on motor oil for "disposal and cleanup." Most waste oil is burned for heat by the garages so they pass along the cost and the citizens get taxed again. I am voting yes to de-fund Dirigo by similar methods.

This is the kind of stuff that happens with a casino.

Urge to play slots spurred thefts - Bangor Daily News

Betting on Bangor - Down East Magazine - Maine

[mollysmiles]

Originally Posted by dmyankee

This is the kind of stuff that happens with a casino.

Urge to play slots spurred thefts - Bangor Daily News

Betting on Bangor - Down East Magazine - Maine

In the first article: I feel horrible for the victims, and I feel horrible for the woman who victimized them. I can tell you though, after working with different addicts, there is one common denominator. Much to the dismay of those who would like a simple answer regarding addiction, AVAILABILITY of a substance or a situation does not *create* an addict. We should never get to the point where we blame behavior on an addiction, and let go of personal responsibility.


in the second article: "A spike in Bangor’s crime rate — from 284.9 in 2005 to 325.9 in 2006 — reversed a four-year trend of low crime in the Queen City."
Now the ariticle says that rate is related to the casino, but it doesn't say where the information came from or what kind of crime. THAT would be interesting to know.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by AlisonL

Heck this sounds like all places, even those without casinos. Typical America. LOLOL

I was stationed there, and then transferred away. Back and forth, so while the locals have gradually lived through these changes.

I saw the changes as very abrupt changes.

Before the casinos went in I think that murders were rare. Not as rare as they are in Maine, but like maybe once a month.

When we lived in Norwich 2001-2004, there was murders like 1 or 2 a week.

As of two weeks ago, there was at least one every day in the local news.

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by mollysmiles

Last year there was a statement out of Bangor, made either by the city or the PD, that firmly announced no increase in crime for the year. I can't find a link to it, if I have time later I'll look again.

It's interesting to relate casino business to tourism. If Bangor or Calais were to build some type of stadium that attracted CUSTOMERS is that tourism too?? Very interesting. On average, SIX million passenger cars (how many person per car, hmmm?) clear US Customs, in Calais alone, every year. Is THAT all tourism? NOOOOO. But, wouldn't it be great if they actually had a reason to stop in Calais other than cheaper gas than in Canada, or a soda until they get to Bangor?? I resent the fact that the entire state gets to vote and impact a specific region's economy. Last year the people of Maine voted to NOT increase the economic stability of Washington County. It will be interesting to see what they do to Sanford this year.

Personally I would not go to a casino, it doesn't interest me in the least. BUT, I don't believe that my personal belief system has the right to impact the economic stability of a region. It's interesting to think about it on another level for me--for example: did you know that Latter-day Saints don't drink coffee or tea? They don't, as a general rule, it's part of their Words of Wisdom. Now say I move to an area that has a high ratio of LDS as compared to other faiths, and I want to open a coffee shop. Would the LDS have the right to forbid me to open a coffee shop simply because it is against their personal beliefs? Of course not!

That's coming sooner than you think Molly. Just ask the British how much the Muslim community has taken over London and surrounding areas.