Despite setback, anti-slots group weighs new effort

A drive to outlaw slot machines in Maine will continue, its backers vowed Thursday, despite the secretary of state’s recent rejection of a referendum question aimed at repealing the new law.

“We’ve been getting good support from people we’ve approached, so I’m encouraged,” George Rodrigues, spokesman for the Westbrook-based No Slots for ME!, said, promising to submit a new question to state elections officials this summer. “I’m confident we’ll get the signatures and … we’ll be on the ballot.”

The secretary of state’s rejection earlier this month centered on the technicalities of the question’s wording and only temporarily waylays the effort to repeal the law permitting slots at Bangor Raceway, the only site eligible to host the state’s newest form of gambling.

Bangor officials, along with representatives of Gov. John Baldacci’s office, have faulted the repeal try, labeling it an attempt to thwart the people’s will. Voters in November approved allowing slots at the state’s harness racing tracks if a host community approved.

Bangor voters by a large margin backed the plan, which city officials hope will result in a $30 million restoration of the historic harness racing track. Not only that, city officials are banking on the tax revenue from the new facility to pay for a new auditorium.

Bangor Mayor Dan Tremble on Thursday said he hoped the rejection, albeit on a technicality, would allow opponents to “take a breath” and prompt an end to the southern Maine-led repeal effort.

“We’re very comfortable with what’s going on in Bangor,” Tremble said. “The people of southern Maine have enough to worry about. We’ll take care of ourselves.”

Rodrigues, a chemical engineer, rejected the idea that the issue pits the north against the more prosperous south.

He maintained the question, which received comparatively little attention in November, didn’t get a fair hearing among voters in either region. If given another chance to consider the question, voters would – like those in two southern Maine towns – reject it, he said.

“Either way, hopefully that will settle it,” he said.

Before all Maine voters could consider banning slots, the Secretary of State’s Office must approve the wording of the question. Rodrigues’ group then must gather 50,519 signatures by Jan. 20 to force the Legislature to outlaw slots or put the question to voters in either June or November 2005.

While Rodrigues’ group prepares to submit another question, the Baldacci administration on Thursday sought to speed the arrival of slots to the state by introducing a 90-day timeline in which to issue a slots license.

Lee Umphrey, Baldacci’s spokesman, said No Slots for ME! should reconsider its strategy, considering the tight controls the governor has placed on the new industry.

“They should channel their energy in a more productive way,” Umphrey said.