Editor:

Let’s set the record straight. The current debate in town is not really about the future of harness racing in Scarborough, as some would like us to think it is. It is not really Scarborough Downs and the horse community versus residents opposed to slot machines in our town. This is a struggle between the good people of Scarborough and Penn National.  Penn National is a billion dollar corporation based in Wyomissing, Pa. They don’t care about Scarborough beyond its potential profitability to them. They’re here to seize an opportunity to make themselves literally millions of dollars — at the expense of our town.  Yes, they’ll spread around a bit here for local sports team and charities, a bit there for seniors, and some for the horsemen and the horse community. It’s all part of doing business. They’re greasing the wheels.

How could we trust Penn National to be good stewards of our town? They’ve shown us how they operate, and it’s downright despicable. At Wednesday’s town council meeting they hamstrung the town council. The town council literally could not say no to the slick wording that Penn National’s clever lawyers crafted.

Penn National: you have tipped your hand very early in the game. We cannot risk our town’s future in your greedy hands. There is too much at stake in this wonderful town.

Alberta Follansbee

Scarborough