For several years now, the city of Bangor has been trying to find a way to replace its dilapidated auditorium and civic center. First, a local option tax was proposed, which was quickly squashed in Augusta. Then, the racino project, which had showed promise to fund a new auditorium, was threatened by Augusta.

Bangor voters in June 2003 and Maine voters in November 2003 approved a referendum that would have benefited the harness racing industry, the state of Maine, the city of Bangor and the local economy. My hope had been that, following the approval of the referendum, a nice facility, as initially proposed by Capital Seven, would have been built in Bass Park, which would have attracted the many summer tourists that pass by Bangor on their way north or east.

Now, due to the greed in Augusta (I understand the need for proper oversight, but $8 million a year doesn’t pass the straight-face test), or to those opposed to gambling and thus the will of Maine’s voters, my fear is that we will end up with a dilapidated, seedy “truck stop-type” slot machine parlor in the old grandstand, which will benefit no one.

Less funding for state programs, no auditorium replacement in Bangor, no benefit to the local economy and very limited benefits, if any, to the harness racing industry. This is not what Maine voters had in mind.

John Kenney

Bangor