After much consideration, we believe approval of a racino development in southern Maine ”“ most likely in Biddeford ”“ is the right choice, but stress that we must go into this project with open eyes and negotiate the best deal for the area.

Bringing in businesses has been a goal of the economic development engines in Biddeford for quite some time. Now we’re faced with a proposal from a major developer that wants to make a significant investment here, so it seems logical to give it the go-ahead.

That said, however, we must be cautious in making sure we get as many details about the project as we can ”“ which have been scant so far ”“ and that Biddeford gets the best deal possible.

The mantra of “jobs, jobs, jobs” and the “Putting Maine to Work” platform of the Yes on 2 campaign is suspect for sure, and it’s not our reason for supporting a yes vote. Ocean Properties, which is developing the racino, has said it will employ 500 people, but it’s obvious that most of the jobs will not be high-paying. That said, it will provide some new jobs, even if they are minimum wage, and they would at least replace some of the ones we’ve lost in recent months and years. In the meantime, the construction of the racino will provide about 800 short-term jobs, according to the developers, and it’s no secret that the construction industry could use the work.

We’re supporting a yes vote simply because this project gives us an opportunity to add to our tax base, welcome some new jobs and draw in some of the area’s significant tourist traffic. The developers of the racino are Maine natives, harness racing is a longtime Maine business and the horse racing and related agricultural businesses will benefit from it as well.

This proposed racino will have two parts, of course ”“ the racetrack and the hotel/casino ”“ and it’s important to recognize these separately and consider their individual impact.

Ocean Properties is known for its involvement in such high-end hotels as the Samoset Resort in Rockport and several inns in Bar Harbor. To have an upscale establishment such as these in Biddeford is an exciting prospect, especially with the high capacity entertainment facility that is included in the plan. Biddeford does not currently draw big-name performing artists on a regular basis partly because we have so few venues that can accommodate large crowds, and with our location in between the seaside tourist areas of Old Orchard Beach and Kennebunkport, this could be a real draw.

As for the casino itself, slot machines are widely recognized as entertainment devices, just like the popular Maine State Lottery tickets. Yes, there is the remote chance that you might strike it rich, but the majority of adults know that it would be highly unlikely in either situation. These games are played for the thrill of the chance.

Though there are good arguments to be made about casinos’ predatory nature and the dangers they present, gambling is not currently illegal. Like alcohol and tobacco, it’s a dangerous but regulated industry for adults only. Yes, with a casino in town, we will be opening ourselves up to the spread of gambling addiction, just as having bars and liquor stores in town makes it easier for people to become alcoholics. There is no way to deny that, but since gambling is legal, it’s not our place as voters to restrict other adults from taking part in it.

We believe this racino will be no different from other entertainment businesses in that it will take people’s money in exchange for some amusement. Where it will differ is in kicking back about $34 million to the state annually, with about $5 million of that expected to go to the host community each year. This will effectively amount to an extra tax on those who choose to gamble, as their dollars will be the ones subsidizing projects statewide ”“ but gamblers will be making that choice themselves.

Gambling facilities are already approved in Oxford and operating in Bangor, and now we’re being asked to approve three more ”“ in Washington County, Lewiston and the one within 25 miles of Biddeford. Having one so close-by in Lewiston, only an hour away, will probably have a negative impact on the Biddeford Downs proposal, so it’s certainly in our best interests to vote it down.

On a final point, if this project is approved it will be important to have a mayor in office who will advocate for the best deal for Biddeford ”“ and we feel it will be better to have a skeptic than a full-on supporter in that role. Mayor Joanne Twomey, though she has overseen considerable progress in Biddeford during her tenure ”“ from the high school renovation project to formation of the Open Space Committee that has helped preserve a considerable amount of land for public use ”“ has unfortunately become an enthusiastic cheerleader for the racino project.

It seems likely that the mayoral race will be decided based on the racino issue, and we have concerns that Twomey’s narrow view on the jobs it will create has distracted her from asking some of the hard questions about this development and how we can make sure it helps promote, rather than destroy, our newly reinvigorated downtown.

Options such as running a trolley from the racino campus to the downtown restaurants and shops, for example, should be explored, and we should be pushing the developers for more details on the project. Alan Casavant has a lengthy list of questions and concerns he plans to address with the developers if elected, which makes us feel more confident that he will be the one to get the most out of the developers for Biddeford rather than cozy up to them.

We urge voters to embrace this new industry, to gamble responsibly if they choose to do so once it’s in place, and to choose a leader for Biddeford who will make sure residents’ interests are high on the list of considerations.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via e-mail at kristenm@journaltribune.com.