Opinion |

Where to find jobs?

Maine's economy

By Patricia Pendleton

Posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2003, 12:00 am

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The construction of a resort casino in Sanford, Maine is the state’s solution to poverty and unemployment. Despite the state motto, Mainers are insisting that the state’s economic situation is not “the Way Life Should Be.” This casino would bring needed jobs back into the state and increase state revenue while lowering tax rates. Most importantly, the casino’s construction will not spend any of the taxpayer’s money.

The resort casino proposed by the Passamaquoddy Tribal Nation of Washington County projects the creation of more than 10,000 new jobs for Mainers and an estimated $100 million in new revenue every year. That will mean almost $50 million for education and another $50 million in property tax relief. The anti-resort campaign, CasinosNO!, condemns the proposal, claiming a casino will increase the crime rate and bring gambling addiction and debt into the state.

A recent article in “USA Today” had statistics that showed no material link exists between the percentage of people with a gambling problem and their proximity to a casino. Another study published in the “Impact of Gambling: Economic Effects More Measurable than Social Effects” says that crime is largely a function of unemployment. It also confirmed that the crime rates in towns surrounding Foxwoods casino and the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut are significantly lower than retail areas in Maine including Kittery, Freeport and South Portland. Customers with money to spend won’t be attracted to a sketchy joint full of drunks, drug dealers and pickpockets. Sanford isn’t going to turn into Harlem overnight with the addition of a casino, and it’s doubt the Italian mafia is planning on moving to Maine to make a few offers we can’t refuse.

The anti-casino campaign has also accused the resort casino project as “deceptive” in numerous television and print ads. They insist the casino is a “bad deal for Maine” because the only revenue Maine will receive will be from the slot machines. I say the state shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth because I don’t see that potential revenue coming from anywhere else in Maine. Aside from the slot machines, the resort casino will be a huge tourist attraction and Think About it Maine, the pro-casino campaign, estimates that 85 percent of revenue generated will come from out-of-state tourists, which means increased business for hotels, restaurant and shops in towns surrounding the casino.

More importantly, why should the proposed casino be located in southern Maine when the northern counties need work the most? I think the common sense answer to that question is the ideal location. Sadly, the casino would not attract the mob of tourists it would five hours north of the Maine border. The Maine Economic Growth Council has said that about a third of all jobs in Maine fail to pay enough to live on and the lack of jobs and increasing economic burden are forcing families and young people out of Maine. While opposition to the casino is putting up a good fight, the reality is that they fail to offer any alternative solutions to Maine’s economic problem. They argue a casino will tarnish Maine’s character. What good is rejecting this proposal to secure Maine’s wholesome character when its own citizens can’t even afford to live there? We have to ask ourselves if it’s worth the sacrifice. The people of Maine cannot ignore the opportunities presented by the resort casino and should vote ‘yes’ on the proposal this November to bring jobs back to Maine – where they belong.

Patricia Pendleton is a sophomore communications major.