OXFORD — Supporters of a ballot initiative that could legalize a plan to build a full-service resort casino in western Maine town of Oxford said Monday a new poll shows voters are looking favorably on the proposal.
"The Sept. 27 poll, conducted by
“These numbers are encouraging, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” Jim Boldebook, an investor in Black Bear Entertainment and a spokesperson for Maine Taxpayers Taking Charge said in a prepared statement.
“These poll numbers reflect what I’m hearing as I talk to voters all over Maine. People want to see job creation in this economy. They also like the fact that Question 1 will create more than 2,700 good paying jobs in western Maine while generating more than $60 million in state revenue without raising taxes.”
Opponents have argued advocates jobs figures are squishy and that a casino in Oxford will not create new money in the Maine economy. Instead it will move money around and may hurt other entertainment and service-type businesses.
Also a group opposing the casino, supported by the owners of the Bangor slot parlor Hollywood Slots, say the law setting up an Oxford casino is unfair in that it allows operators there the ability to have table games like Black Jack and roulette.
Citizens Against the Oxford Casino includes: the Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs, the Maine Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association, the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township, and the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"Giving one operation one set of guidelines and another operation another set of guidelines within the same industry is something we consider to be bad business,"the group's spokesman Dan Cashmantold the Sun Journal in September. "We are all for competition but when you do that you are creating an unlevel playing field."
In his release Boldebook said supporters, while pleased with the poll, are taking nothing for granted and will continue to focus on educating voters about the statewide economic benefits of Question 1.
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