Off-track betting

I am writing this letter in regard to the recent approval of off-track betting by the Millinocket Town Council.

The people of Millinocket voted these council members in with the confidence that they would look after town business in an intelligent and prudent manner, that they would make the right decisions and choices that would most benefit our town. After a workshop and public hearing, the council made a true and just decision.

Millinocket needs new businesses. We need to put people back to work. Off-track betting will put 20 to 30 people to work. If the response is good, there is a possibility of more being hired. These are jobs that will benefit the unemployed in the Millinocket area as well as the Millinocket economy.

Off-track betting will bring hundreds, maybe thousands of new people to Millinocket. Most will be from Maine, some from out of state. These people will in turn spend money in our local economy. Who knows, they might like our town enough to open a business or perhaps purchase some real estate on one of our lakes. The possibilities are there and we should take advantage of them.

The days of the Great Northern gravy train are over. In today’s economy, anyone who wants to stay in business and stay competitive in the marketplace has had to make cuts and streamline their business as Great Northern-Bowater has done. Their actions have not helped our town or its people. Nearly half of our work force has become unemployed in the past few years. We have to look for other alternatives to put our unemployed back to work.

A significant portion of the opposition to off-track betting is comprised of retired individuals whohave guaranteed incomes, own their homes, cars and camps free and clear, and need not worry about putting food on their tables, a roof over their heads or paying their bills. What about the younger people with two children and a mortgage who have been laid off or have no job?

My family has owned and operated the Econolodge for the past nine years. The people who know us know we have done our best to operate a clean respectable business. We have supported anything that would help our schools and town as a whole grow. We are proud to have donated thousands of dollars to help our snowmobile trail system become the finest in New England.

People come from far and wide to ride these trails, including people from out of state. Off-track betting will bring new faces and new opportunities for much needed jobs and revenues to our town. Let’s not let a few people who cannot see the future or who are living in the past let Millinocket lose out on this proven successful business opportunity. Robert Ade Bangor