Save a Maine tradition by voting yes on ‘Q2’

Recently, I was reflecting upon what I have learned as a spokesperson for Capital Seven, the organization financing the initiative to save harness racing in Maine.

I learned that when I drive by a big field that is being “hayed” the hay is usually being sold to feed horses. The money from the hay helps the farmer pay his property taxes and keeps a pasture in his future. I also learned that the harness racing industry helps to financially support the agricultural fairs in Maine, but most important, I learned that more than 2,000 people are employed in the harness racing industry and the industry contributes $50 million a year to Maine’s economy.

Earlier this year, Bob Baldacci and Bud Cianchette shared with me the reasons that they were supportive of the harness racing initiative, now known as Q2. In short, they informed me that Maine’s harness racing industry was on its last leg, but augmenting the industry with another form of wagering could save it.

It seemed to me that the introduction of another gaming product/form of entertainment was practical and apparently had been deemed a successful solution in several other states. Yet, I had no idea how controversial the issue was to so many well-intentioned people. To some it is not the “right kind of business for Maine.”

A few years back, when MBNA came into the state, I was concerned about the types of jobs and wages that a telemarketing firm would provide. As pushers of consumer debt at zero or low-percentage interest, increasing interest rates to 18 to 20 percent on those who have the least ability to pay, seemed to be the “wrong kind of business for Maine.” I have been proven wrong. Even though high employee turnover is innate to telemarketing positions, MBNA has created a lot of needed jobs. They have also invested large sums of capital and become a good corporate citizen, extending their philanthropy throughout the state. Moreover, they helped to reverse a downward trend in Waldo County.

Sharing this story with others and asking with hat in hand for their open-minded consideration of the harness racing initiative, I learned something very distressing. Many people in Maine have very little passion for Maine’s traditional industries. More distressing is that many of those who are financially comfortable care more about birds and trees than they do the economic condition of their fellow human beings. This is particularly frustrating when many of these “socially elite” claim they don’t want Maine’s way of life to change and yet, they care little about those industries indigenous to the state which allow Maine to be the way it is.

Maine people have suffered from the falloff of traditional industries such as forest products, potato, blueberry, dairy, fishing lobster and manufacturing. The harsh social costs, related to unemployment and poverty, are all over. Androscoggin, Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Penobscot, Aroostook and Washington counties represent the largest geographic region of poverty on the East Coast. Is this Maine, the way life should be? I think not.

When considering Q2, please consider the 2,000 people trying to protect their livelihoods. A yes vote will help save a Maine tradition.

David S. Nealley is public relations representative for the Maine Coalition for Harness Racing and Agriculture.