BIDDEFORD — Both proponents and opponents of building a racino in Biddeford are kicking into high gear as the November election,  when voters will decide the issue, draws near.

A yes vote would allow two racinos ”“ combined harness racetrack and slot machine facilities ”“ in Maine, one in Washington County and one within 25 miles of Scarborough Downs.

The developers of the proposed southern racino, Scarborough Downs and Ocean Properties, say Biddeford would be the location of a $120 million “world-class” hotel, entertainment complex and racino if residents vote yes on Question 2.

On Thursday, it was a case of dueling press conferences between those for and against Question 2 on the Nov. 8 Maine state ballot.

In the morning, Mike Reilly, owner of Reilly’s Bakery, one of Biddeford’s oldest retail establishments, spoke about the need for jobs in Biddeford. Much of the customer base for his business, which has been around more than 100 years, has been lost over the years as one by one, the city’s textile manufacturers closed their doors.

“A lot of our customers are hurting,” said Reilly. “They need jobs.”

A racino, he said, would bring needed jobs to the area and in turn increase the customer base for downtown businesses.

On Thursday afternoon, at the North Dam Mill, Dennis Bailey, executive director of Casinos NO!, who has been fighting the proliferation of gambling in Maine for years, said there is no evidence that racinos or casinos revive downtown businesses. In fact, he said, the research he’s seen shows the exact opposite.

Not only Reilly, but just about all the pro-racino speakers talked about the need for jobs and help for Biddeford’s downtown. They claimed the racino would deliver these benefits.

Mayor Joanne Twomey, a self-proclaimed “cheerleader” for the racino, said it will create hundreds of jobs: 800 temporary construction jobs and 500 permanent jobs, according to the developers.

She said it would be an “economic engine” that would also benefit downtown businesses.

Joe Goudreau, owner of his own construction company, said the economic downturn has been a massive blow to his business and hurt the construction industry throughout the state. He said he believes the racino is an opportunity to bring well-paying jobs to Maine.

Reilly and Goudreau were not the only business owners who support Question 2. A banner of more than 500 businesses supporting “Yes on 2” was unfurled.

On the other side, a divergent group gathered to talk about why additional gaming facilities should not be approved by state voters. These included: Casinos NO!, No More Casinos Maine, Mainers Against A Rotten Deal as well as the Christian Civic League and Friends of Oxford Casino.

While many pro-casino advocates try to garner support by saying a casino can bring business to a downtown, Bailey instead said gambling facilities “compete with and hurt local business.”

Another selling point for the racino has been revitalizing harness racing, which supporters say is good for Maine agriculture.

But, said Robert Fisk Jr., spokesman for Maine Friends of Animals, harness racing is not good for horses. Race horses, he said, are mistreated. They spend 22 hours a day in their stall, they’re whipped repeatedly during races and many are drugged and are raced even when injured.

Carroll Conley, executive director of the Maine Christian Civic League, said there will be casualties of increased gambling in Maine and it will “destroy families.”

Although Biddeford’s current mayor supports the racino, former Mayor General Wallace Nutting attended the No on Question 2 press conference.

“I’m in total opposition,” he said. “There never has been anything good come out of a gambling joint.”

As to the effect of a racino on the downtown, he said, it “will suck the rest of the oxygen out of the downtown.”

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.