Biddeford councilors split on casino possibility

BIDDEFORD – The City Council reacted with a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism Thursday to a pitch by former Gov. Kenneth M. Curtis and others looking to build a $400 million to $600 million casino and resort.

Councilor Vincent Keeley called the casino idea “the best thing that has ever come down the pike for Biddeford.” But others were skeptical.

“Somebody isn’t telling the truth,” said Councilor Clement Fleurent, referring to estimates that 4,000 jobs would be created.

The meeting, which involved Curtis, two Indian officials and Thomas Tureen, attorney for the Penobscot Nation and Passamaquoddy Tribe, was the first such session with leaders of a Maine community.

Biddeford councilors plan to decide Sept. 3 whether voters will vote in November on the casino issue, according to Mayor Donna Dion.

Casino supporters also plan to meet with Sanford officials on Sept. 10.

The two Indian tribes have said they want to open a casino in southern Maine, but they need the Legislature to pass a law giving them permission, and all four candidates for governor have said they would veto such a law.

Voters in Berwick, Eliot, Kennebunkport, Kittery, North Berwick, Ogunquit, Wells, Wiscasset and York have also passed measures opposing casinos.

At Thursday’s meeting, Curtis tried to allay fears that a casino would bring crime and other problems to Biddeford.

“This is an economic opportunity that should be carefully considered,” Curtis told the council. “It would be a very clean, good and orderly operation.”

Penobscot Nation Gov. Barry Dana said a casino would provide “self-reliance, dignity and economic development for the tribes and the state.”

Tureen said the state should consider a casino as a way to deal with a revenue shortfall that’s been estimated at over $200 million for the current two-year budget cycle.

“It won’t solve all our problems,” he said, “but it shouldn’t be rejected out of hand.”

Tureen would not disclose the proposed location of the casino, but said it would be on a 50-acre site west of the Maine Turnpike.

Councilor Ronald Peaker sought more details on the tribes’ plan, while Fleurent expressed concern that a casino-resort would take business from local establishments.

The proposal worries some of Biddeford’s neighbors, too.

Saco Mayor William Johnson said Thursday he thinks a casino would bring numerous problems, including excessive traffic and additional burdens on area schools.

“I just hope it goes away,” he said.

Curtis, a Democrat who was governor from 1967 to 1975, serves as a member of the tribes’ casino board.

He said he’s been committed to helping Indians for 30 years.

“We’ll never live long enough to repay the Indians for what we did to them,” he said.

Curtis will be paid if a casino is built, but he said he did not make compensation a condition of his appointment to the board.

“Believe me, it’s not going to be a very high-paying job,” he said.