Terry: Downs has been centerpiece of community

Editor:

Throughout the 150 year history harness racing has been the centerpiece of community. It got its start as a horse and buggy race home from church among neighbors.  Before long town’s people took bets on the race. Local agriculture was always at the heart, and they took pride in their hard working horses. Harness racing took center stage at the agriculture fairs, where it remains today; the financial backbone. Betting on the horse was the genesis of gambling in Maine.

Since 1950 the Downs has been in operation in Scarborough.  Early on, it attracted summer tourists who came to enjoy the horse race and many other attractions: summer concerts, Scarborough Fair, and a variety of agricultural events visitors also enjoyed Scarborough’s natural beauty of beaches, marshes, farms and woodlands. Due to the volume of visitors Scarborough Downs added its own exit off the Maine turnpike.  Traffic was controlled with easy access in and out.

Throughout the track’s history, we have appreciated the community of Scarborough.  As the largest commercial harness race track in the state, we race more days than all other tracks combined; drivers, trainers, and owners earn a living off this sport, and appreciate our commitment to them.  A competitive harness racing industry in Maine means more horses, preserved farms, and miles of green pastures.  Our southern Maine location in Scarborough is strategically important for horsemen. 

I hope that Scarborough residents can appreciate my business for what it is; a Maine tradition looking to compete with the rest of the country.  As Scarborough has developed, and the new exit 42 was built, Scarborough Downs is at the heart of it all – where harness racing has always been throughout its history.

We have an opportunity to preserve history in Scarborough, with a highly regulated, governed, and town negotiated agreement that would add electronic gaming to the track so that Maine harness racing can be competitive with the rest of the country.  This will help Maine’s racing industry, and could benefit Scarborough’s in many ways: funding of municipal projects; community center, new schools, tax relief, and economic development.  

I invite anyone who is interested in learning more about this project to either stop by the Scarborough Village Partners office at Oak Hill or visit Scarborough Downs. Residents can see the vision of a village in the heart of the community that celebrates Maine’s harness racing tradition and honors the wishes of the updated comprehensive plan.  A harness race track is a unique asset – some come to bet, and some just enjoy the beauty of the horse. I ask for your support of this project. I pledge my commitment to make our community proud of this Maine tradition. On behalf of the horsemen, my employees, and the industry, I thank you for your support.

Sharon Terry

Owner, Scarborough Downs

Points to consider about ‘Village’ proposal

Editor:

According to Mark Maroon, a vote for Scarborough Village’s Tax Relief project is a vote for a zoning change for “Adult Uses” development and Saratoga Springs is being faced with Strip Clubs! (Leader 10/17).  Penn National’s promise to create a “New Main Street – with Equestrian Identity” is at odds with its promise to create “Destination Scarborough.”  The “Main Street” image I recall is one of neighbors doing business together, not one of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”  Our children watch us attend PTA, Boy Scouts, Lions Club, Winterfest, Project Graduation etc., to make this a safer, better town to grow our family.  Shame on Board of Education member Annalee Rosenblatt and others who compromise worthwhile projects that have become the fabric of our town just because someone is waving a wad of money in our faces.  Residents voting Yes are abandoning our town’s foundational ideals.

Penn National’s website reports declining profits by 8.3 percent in July and August and a 21.4 percent decline from Sept. 2007 to Sept. 2008.  Penn National’s “guarantee” of tax relief depends on their profits and an uncertain economy.  $15.3 million of their profits was spent on lobbying expenses in Maine and other states. In the face of anti-smoking campaigns across America and here in Scarborough, Penn National will spend millions to ensure a cigarette smoking facility.  Perhaps this is why we are told (Sept. 11) “Scarborough Village will contribute over $13 million in new annual tax revenues.”  Then Kathryn Rolston, Down’s Treasurer (Oct. 2 letter to residents); “The Town Council will ensure the new project pays at least $8,000,000 annually in new taxes…” Result?  Promises by Penn National are worthless!

Council Chairman Messer is on record Aug. 7 as saying “track officials are holding out for a racino because it’s the most lucrative way to develop the land, not because they want to preserve Maine farms.  The Downs doesn’t do anything other than for their financial gain.  They’re holding out hopes for a racino because it’s the maximum profit for them...” what about Scarborough?

Scarborough Village advertisements dated Sept. 25 showed children smiling on a swing set, one Oct. 10 showed children eagerly working on the computer and on Oct. 3, Susan Higgins, Director of Marketing proclaimed (in a letter to the Leader) Scarborough Downs a new “destination bachelorette party” location. We already have the first two examples, and we don’t want the third. From Bangor Slots Web site/blog:

“I’m so addicted to those Power Ups,” (Marsha, Aug. 10).

“Those $5 and $10 machines have me hooked,” (Big Spender, Aug. 10).

I attended a Scarborough Village Project Introduction meeting on July 31 when Sharon Terry was reminded to budget money for gambling addiction.  Make no mistake about this: Just as tobacco companies added nicotine to cigarettes to guarantee sales by creating smoking addicts, Penn National wants to guarantee sales by creating gambling addicts!

Vote no on No. 1 for tax relief slots...tell them we are not for sale and the price tag is too expensive!

Gary and Nancy Gaudet

Scarborough

That is why they came to Scarborough

Editor:

    Why did you make the decision to move to Scarborough?

    Where in our town did you choose to live?

    What is your idea of the perfect place to live?

    Many of us think it is here. We hope you feel the same. If not, and you prefer a different or better place to live, that’s OK. Just please don’t take what we love away from us.

    If you plan on moving, that’s fine, but when you vote, please vote no on the racino. 

    Remember the signs on some of the beautiful trails we have in our town, “Leave it the same as you found it.” Please do that for us, “Leave it the same as you found it.”

    We have all heard it; some people and corporations come from Pennsylvania or New Jersey or Connecticut because they want a different lifestyle.

    Then the first thing they try to do is make it “better.” 

    Others will come here and want to keep it the way that it is. They think it is already “better”.

    That is why they came. 

    That is why we stay.

Nancy Jones

Scarborough

Scarborough Downs’ proposal: The greed factor

Editor:

   The latest, greatest, fancy flyer sales pitch that the Downs and Penn National have sent out is the: greed ptich.   Just like those late night TV ads; but wait, there’s more, if you say yes now, we’ll throw in a ... ( you ever notice there is always shipping and handling but they don’t tell you how much).

   Notice a change in talking points?  Since we have exposed the problems at Saratoga Springs, they are now using Dover Downs.  Most people know the plight of Dover, Delaware and the victory for us is that they now are apparently afraid to use Saratoga Springs.  Ah, those darn truths getting in the way! Dover didn’t work in 2002 and the same issues are there in 2008. Funny, they didn’t start this sales pitch using Dover but now that is the new best example.

  Did you notice the new point person?  We have had Joe Ricci, Ed McCall, Sharon Terry, Shawn Scott, Penn National, Gene Beaudoin and who knows next. They have very well paid marketing companies trying to figure us out with those ridiculous and constant polls.

Think of the money these people must be making if they are willing to give so much away.

   Do you know of any other business that could buy its way into a town in this way? 

   We are going to give you “all of this” if you do just this one little thing.  This and all kinds of wonderful marvelous buildings that will all be free or lower taxes will result from your one simple vote.  How much easier does it get than that?  And best of all, there is no price to be paid!  (Just for the record, there is no example in the country where that “promise” came true; but maybe somehow, we’ll be different.

   I remember a story that was about a deal that was too good to be true.  In the story, after much deliberation, thought and continuous bribes and lies, the little girl said yes.

   It didn’t end up so good.

   I don’t have to tell that story to my children.  I show them Penn National’s flyers.  They know how Grimm Fairy Tales end.

   They know this is a bad Fairy Tale.  The advantage they have is that they see Scarborough as really nice the way it is. Bribes don’t mean anything to them; they don’t want to have the best of everything, just a nice, safe place to live, love, friends and fun. 

   I don’t like taxes, but compared to every other town around, ours are fair.

   We are living in a time that shows the results of greed and deception from years prior.  I don’t want our children’s futures to be like this as a result of us falling for the Grimm Fairy Tale of Greed that we create in the name of the future.  Do you?

   Just like sub-prime mortgages, Fannie Mae and Wall Street, the cost ends up in our laps eventually.  We will be setting up our children for exactly that.  Let’s take the brave and surprise step of buying only what we can afford, knowing full well that nothing is for free, certainly not casinos and the lure of a free ride they offer.

   Everything seems to repeat itself, doesn’t it?

   Even bad fairy tales and slots referendums.

Mark Maroon

Scarborough

Downs approval would mean ‘better way of life’

Editor:

Scarborough, Maine could become the show place of New England. The town of Saratoga in New York is one of the most prestigious areas in the United States. The quality of life and the sheer beauty of the area are well known to all and are comparable to the Bel Air estate in Bowie, Maryland. Both of these areas are places which some of the wealthiest people of this country choose to reside.

The amazing thing is that both of these areas have been made famous for their horse breeding and for the racetracks that drive their economy. The plans proposed for the new town center in Scarborough are identical to the architecture in Saratoga, N.Y. By implementing the plans proposed by Scarborough Downs the town of Scarborough could very well become the showplace of New England. Prosperity in the business community would flourish and current property values would possibly double or triple.

Saratoga, N.Y. and Bowie, Maryland. Are two areas of the country with the lowest crime rates. In the town of Scarborough, 90 percent of the calls logged on the police blotter are at Wal Mart to deal with shoplifters. Police calls to Scarborough Downs are almost unheard of. So in reference to the very idea that the crime rate would increase is a complete fallacy. Residents of the town of Scarborough should consider carefully the attributes that would be forthcoming to the town by passing legislation favoring slots.

Wouldn’t it be the most wonderful thing for residents of Scarborough to know that they could be living in the most prestigious place in New England? The very show place of the state of Maine! The residents should not be misled by the idea that the town center proposal would destroy the wetlands and farm areas. The proposal is designed specifically to enhance the beauty and quality of life in this town.

I feel confident after reviewing all of the details that the people of Scarborough are intelligent enough to know which side their bread is buttered on. Prestigious living, low taxes and increased property values sound pretty good to me. It all boils down to a better way of life.

Andrew Marresse

Saco

Scarborough, the way life should be

Editor:

  One of my favorite moments in this town came from an awful situation, but let me explain. Cabalas was being built and the little stores were coming in and I was feeling like possibly Scarborough was growing too big, losing its town charm. The thought saddened me because getting to know your neighbors, and saying hello to folks in the grocery store, makes you feel like you belong. That’s the feeling I want my children to grow up with, and the feeling I want to experience in my adopted home. Just as I was pondering the notion, I passed by Allied Mortgage. The neon sign was lit up for all to read: ‘Looking for the truck involved in hit and run of child at Dunstan,’ or something to that effect. But I remember driving down Route 1 and seeing the same message lit up on the Sudzie sign and the fire station sign, and I thought we are a community that looks out for each other.  Each child in the town matters, and most folks are there to lend a helping hand. We may be growing, but we are not changing who we fundamentally are. That’s Scarborough. Not a transient town centered around a game of chance, designed to take your money. Scarborough should continue to be the town my children are able to say they live in with pride. It should continue to be centered around families. How do you want to describe our town? Scarborough, a beautiful place to live on the coast of Maine, or Scarborough, the place with the slot machines in the center of town?

   Thank you for your consideration

Tracy Murphy

Scarborough

Dream with me in supporting ‘Village’ proposal

Editor:

      I am voting “yes” for the Scarborough Village/racino project and I hope that others will vote with me. I have seen several worthy projects rejected by our voters with comments that the price tag is too high.

     My support is based solely on the prospect of the town receiving money that can be used to support such projects as a community center with a pool, a new Wentworth School, an expanded and renovated library, a larger public safety building and other projects we are unable to consider because the price is too high.

     I am also concerned that state revenues will be reduced, thus our general purpose aid for schools, and that the town council will continue to view proposed new programs for our schools as frills. i.e. we are the only high school in the area with a comprehensive technology program.

     Students who participate in extracurricular programs pay a participation fee of $25 per activity with a cap for the year and a cap for multiple students in a family. Booster groups in ice hockey and swimming fully fund ice time and pool time. When our students earn the right to participate in competitions outside of the state, such as the academic decathlon and speech and debate, money must be raised because there is no money in the school budget for those contingencies.

     The plan on the table is not just for slots, and I admit it is about slots, it is also about using the Downs to enhance our town. We already gamble there, we have the Tri-State Lottery and Mega-Bucks and there are beano/bingo games all around us.

     Prohibition didn’t work. I don’t think that we can keep a racino at bay for long. I say “Show Me The Money” and locate it at Scarborough Downs, the most logical place in the state.

     Think of the possibilities! Give the town council the opportunity to negotiate a contract. Dream with me about never having to fight over a school budget or a town project. Let’s give ourselves a break for a change!

      Whatever you decide, be sure to vote! Thanks for listening.

Jackie Perry

Scarborough