Editor:

It is perplexing to me that some think the harness racing industry should fail. It is amazing to me that some view electronic gaming as a bail out for Maine’s harness racing industry. It is shocking to me that at last week’s town council meeting, a former resident and slot opponent, said that Scarborough Downs had no loyalties to the town because the day after they lost the 2003 bid for slots in Scarborough, they sought another host community. It is disappointing to me that last week’s letter to the editor called Penn National “despicable.” How far will people go to hurt business development, evolution, and industry growth in the state? It is no wonder that Maine is in the shape it is.

Harness racing is a 150-year-old industry in Maine. Scarborough Downs is the state’s largest commercial track, and is vital to the industry. The industry has three main components: sport, gambling, and agriculture; each play a vital role in our economy and Maine’s landscape.

As a sport, horsemen earn a living harness racing. A strong harness racing industry breeds horses, grows hay, and supports businesses ranging from tack shops, veterinarians and farm equipment; all contribute to Maine’s economy. A competitive industry means increased value of race horse supply. The more valuable the horse, the more green pastures are preserved providing growth to related businesses. Farms able to pay rising taxes are not forced to sell. In short: the pristine beauty of Maine’s farmland is not only preserved but is sustainable – this is Maine, the way life should be.

The gambling component of the harness racing industry goes way back. In fact, just 40 years ago, if you wanted to gamble in Maine, you had only one legal choice: betting on the horses. In the mid-1970s, the Maine State Lottery came in, and began to compete. By 1992, harness race tracks across the U.S. began to introduce electronic gaming. Rhode Island was the first track to open up with electronic gaming, followed by 11 other states over the next 15 years. These tracks were able to pay a higher purse – consequently horses began moving to states where they could earn more money. In Maine, we hear about the ‘brain drain,’ well the same is true for the horses. They left the state — horse supply waned; pastures once filled with horses, were replaced with housing developments.

Electronic gaming added to harness race tracks is simply a brand extension. This isn’t a bail out to the harness racing industry, as some claim. Let’s keep this in perspective: This is no different than Google introducing the Android Phone to compete with Apple’s Iphone, grocery stores expanding into the gas station and pharmacy business, or for that matter, the state of Maine getting into the lottery business! Businesses need to expand and grow to succeed.

Throughout Scarborough Downs’ history, owners have always looked out for the horsemen, and have fought to keep the industry competitive while also giving generously to the community. They have deep roots in Scarborough, and obviously would like to stay here – but they are a business, and their employees and Maine harness racing industry depend on their success. So, why would you not explore moving to stay in business? What does it say of a community that drives a business out of town after all these years?

Harness racing also helps keep Maine’s agricultural fairs afloat – both are part of Maine’s identity. And so I must ask: How can anyone say: let it fail? We may as well say: Let Maine fail.

And what’s with calling “Penn National “despicable”?? Penn wasn’t even at the town council meeting! Penn has been well received in Bangor whose hospitality industry has seen tremendous growth. Growth that wouldn’t happen if consumers didn’t like gambling– in the end, it is consumer response that drives an industry (otherwise known as demand). The arrival of Hollywood Slots has brought back the mini-vacation. Isn’t Maine called: Vacation Land? Perhaps we should re-visit the supply side of the equation; give consumers what they want, and give Maine business what they need to compete.

So who are these people who think it is a sin for out-of-state business to come in, invest, provide jobs, and make a profit, while under the same breath say: let a Maine industry fail? Might they be from away? Stop tying the hands of Scarborough Downs – a 58-year-old local business nestled among a flock of tall pines (isn’t Maine the Pine Tree State?). They’re trying to grow and share the wealth; they have a lot to offer that is important to Maine and could be great for our entire community. I’m not feeling the love of Maine, nor am I feeling the love of neighbor here. I’m perplexed.

Karen Vachon

Scarborough