Posted on 11/04/2003 4:58:06 AM PST by SheLion
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 (D) 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. (ahhhhhhhh)
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. (WHAT 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. (He's only 5'4". Wouldn't take much to take him down. heh)
"[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."
Cultural ignorance encouraged by the multi-culties to believe some fairy tale that the "noble savage" was a pro-choice vegetarian bi-sexual environmentalist who never rolled them bones and believed in the brotherhood of man.
Did I miss anything?
Gotcha. Pitiful, isn't it..........
The Maine Legislature doesn't WANT anything to move into this state. ie: they sure didn't fight to keep Loring Air Force Base! And we lost that big shirt company not to mention several other businesses that couldn't get out of this state fast enough?
BOEING? You've got to be kidding!
Well, you get I-95 on up from Houlton, and I bet we would have the traffic THEN! That's what is holding a lot of people from coming to our neck of the woods. That long two lane road from Houlton on up. Even the TRUCKERS hate coming up here.
Chad! I don't think she is even LIVING in Maine! She isn't on the Freeper's Profile page. And her own page has no flag flying to indicate WHAT state she is in. That is why I am concern about why she is so concerned about our fight about the Casino.
Listen, I DO have a real life going on here. I can't keep up with ALL the posts. And if your in Maine, I'm sure thankful your in SOUTHERN Maine. Sure hate to have a Spud like you living up HERE! Talk about ignorance
Good riddance!
First and foremost, I can hardly wait to see how far certain tribal members will go to debase and degrade themselves. I'm looking forward to seeing them all dressed in shiney suits and satin, strapless cocktail dresses.
Second, anything that tweaks Baldacci and the governing class is fine with me. The stupid little cadaver's parents ran an Italian hash house in Bangor. His parents put him and his brothers and sisters through college cooking and waiting tables and he doesn't think "those kinds of jobs" fit in with his little socialist Utopia? Those jobs aren't good enough for today's entry level kids and down-and-outers? F him.
Third, the whole premise of the "Big Money From Away" mentality that has permeated the debate is a totally mind boogling non-sequitor. Every dime in Maine is "from away" or did Maine get a mint when I wasn't looking? If it wasn't for money from away this place would look like Gaza City. Name a world class business with it's headquarters in Maine, outside of L.L. Bean.
Fourth, it tweaks you folks down there in Portland, AKA Northern Massachusetts.
Fifth, in the here and now, any business coming into this state is welcome, as far as I'm concerned. Commerce is the name of the game.
That's EXACTLY how I feel.
I'm NO on this issue.
Mr. Peel is also NO.
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