Posted on 11/03/2003 6:53:40 AM PST by metesky
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Last updated: Monday, November 3, 2003 Anti-casino activists bow out of contentious Bangor rally
BANGOR - A planned rally in opposition to a proposed Indian-backed $650 million resort casino in Maine was silenced by the shouts and protests of casino supporters Saturday in front of City Hall.What was supposed to be a public rally on the steps of City Hall featuring Maine Gov. John Baldacci turned into a small press conference held inside a nearby office. As pro-casino representatives shouted "no more lies" and "yes for jobs," representatives from Casinos No! packed up their signs and left, to the delight of the pro-casino crowd. "We're not into shouting matches," Janet Mills, a spokeswoman for Casinos No!, said during the press conference. "What we see outside is an example of desperate politics. They know the people of Maine have seen the light." The latest polls suggest that opposition to Question 3 has reached nearly 60 percent heading into election day, when voters will decide whether to allow the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to open a casino in Maine. The projected location for the resort casino is Sanford, in southern Maine. Dennis Bailey, a spokesman for Casinos No!, said the decision to pull the plug on the rally stemmed from a fear that the safety of anti-casino representatives was at risk. Despite Bailey's concerns, Sgt. James Owens from the Bangor Police Department said nobody from Casinos No! reported any threats of violence to the officers present at the rally. He also said both groups had permits to hold a rally at that time. No arrests were made. "We respect their right to say what they have to say, but clearly they didn't respect ours. They were picking a fight," Bailey said. But casino supporters claimed victory after the anti-casino rally was canceled, and the cheers and shouts could be heard from protesters standing outside during the press conference. At a pro-casino rally held earlier in the day, Erin Lehane, spokeswoman for the political action committee Think About It, said casino supporters would continue their efforts until voters go to the polls tomorrow. "The people are going to win this election. This is about putting people first. Nobody is standing up for the people of Maine. Nobody. We are not going to let the politicians and the millionaires take this opportunity away from the people in Maine," she said. Supporters of the casino claim it will boost Maine's economy by providing good-paying jobs and $100 million in annual tax revenue to the state. "Right now our families are working two part-time jobs, so the wage needs to go up," Vi Raymond, spokeswoman for the Maine American Federation of Labor, said during the pro-casino rally. "Labor unions make wages go up, and they bring in benefits and health care." Debbie Kondilis, spokeswoman for the Penobscot Nation, said the casino would be good for everyone in Maine, not just the tribes. "We need to put Maine back on the map," she said. But opponents of the casino say it is not a quick fix to Maine's dwindling economy. Maine humorist Tim Sample, who was part of the anti-casino press conference, said the proposed casino would ruin Maine's quality of life. "A lot of people have been misled and have bought the line about jobs," he said. "Whatever the answers are [to Maine's economic problems], they're not simple answers." Bailey, who calls the proposed casino a "bad deal for Maine," said he is not sure if Casinos No! will try to hold another rally in Bangor before Election Day. He also said he was reluctant to bring Gov. Baldacci to a public rally because of safety concerns. "[The casino supporters] follow us everywhere we go," he said. Also part of the press conference was former Passamaquoddy tribal Gov. Allen Sockabasin, who said he is opposed to a resort casino in Maine for cultural reasons. "It goes against our grain. One of our values is not to take advantage of people," said Sockabasin, who presided over the Passamaquoddy Tribe from 1972 until 1976. Those at the anti-casino press conference said they were not running away from a debate. "We've always invited dialogue," Mills said. "This [Saturday's opposing rallies] is a shouting match - that's not what we're about."
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Meet ya at the gaming tables.
Coincidence? I think not.
Just remember, if you oppose the mobsters, Don't hold your rally at the same time that they bring in their thugs.
Beats the heck out of no job.
;O)
~whew metesky!
That other thread............it's them against me, I guess.
AMEN to THAT, metesky!
If you really want gambling in Maine, give the state more power - create a gambling license that the state can grant to whomever qualifies (ie, they can black, white purple .. they don't have to be Indian) and the state can take away the licence for cause.
Oh yes, the state MUST have auditing rights.
Everything else is just a shell game.
I don't know anything about the Detroit issue. The Maine issue contends that the state of Maine will have no auditing rights -- its modelled after the disasterous California measure. The CA casinos are not paying their share in taxes. Arnie's trying to get that measure repealed.
100% pure unadulterated CRAP.
Can you imagine giving the IRS permission to audit you? And if you had that power and the IRS wanted to audit you, what would you say: "Sure go ahead. Audit away" Or would you say: "Leave me alone".
The issue is not are the Indians scamming the issue is are the conditions equal for the state and the Indians. The answer is NO. This casino measure in Maine does not grant the state audit rightsm UNLESS permission is granted by the tribes.
Take a look at the CA casino issue. Its the same.
If you want gambling - what's wrong with a state issued gambling license-- why give preferrential treatment to one ethnic group over another?
metesky, I thought I had fallen into the DemocRAT FORUM! I am thankful you rescued me! People over there singing THE PRAISES OF BALDACCI? For HEAVEN'S SAKE!
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