Public debate slated on Indian racino plan

BANGOR – Supporters and opponents of a referendum proposal for an Indian-run racetrack casino in eastern Maine have agreed to participate in a public debate on the issue.

The debate will be held on Nov. 1 at Husson College in Bangor, and will feature representatives from the Yes On Question One coalition and CasinosNo! The event will be open to the public and will be aired on radio station WHSN 89.3 FM.

Representatives of CasinosNo! and the Passamaquoddy Tribe also participated Thursday in a debate on WGAN-AM radio in Portland.

Question One on the Nov. 6 ballot asks Mainers whether they want to allow the Passamaquoddy Tribe to build a harness-racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano at a resort in Washington County.

Supporters say the facility would generate jobs and economic opportunity in Maine’s poorest county. Opponents say gambling is not an economic cure-all and would end up draining money from the economy.