Westbrook latest municipality to discuss casino referendum

WESTBROOK – A city councilor is pledging to put his city in the running for a casino by campaigning for a referendum to gauge residents’ support.

John O’Hara said Friday that Westbrook’s easy access from the Maine Turnpike should make it a strong contender for a casino. He said he will ask the City Council to hold a public hearing and schedule a referendum.

O’Hara was among 30 people who attended a breakfast hosted by the Westbrook Chamber of Commerce to hear more about a proposal by the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian tribes to build a $650 million casino resort in southern Maine.

Casino supporters told the group that Sanford is their top choice because of its proximity to Boston and residents’ support on an Election Day referendum.

But O’Hara said he thinks Westbrook also would have a chance if residents show support for a casino in a referendum.

“Clearly, they would be in a quandary as to which would be the best [location] for the tribes to choose,” he said.

Many communities have held referendums to determine the level of support among residents. The only referendums to pass were in Sanford, located in York County, and Fairfield, located in central Maine near Waterville.

Casino gambling is now illegal in Maine, but the issue could go to voters next November as a ballot question.

The tribes have said they won’t put a casino in a municipality that does not want it.

Tom Tureen, an attorney who represents the tribes, told the breakfast group that the Maine economy is clearly suffering, and a casino is an opportunity to jump-start it.

“[It’s] a new business without any tax subsidy that would be the sixth-largest employer in the state of Maine,” Tureen said. “We need to figure out a way to do it ourselves if we want to remain competitive.”

But Jennifer Connolly, another Westbrook city councilor who was at the breakfast meeting, said she opposes a casino in Westbrook, although she does not object to one in Sanford. She would not support holding a referendum in Westbrook.

“I think it’s way ahead of time,” she said. “The state has to approve it first. I think it just creates more problems.”