NORWAY — It appears that the town of Oxford will get its casino.
Sumner Sessions, center, of Norway, celebrates his $50 cash win with Jim Boldebook, right, after spinning the wheel at the Yes on One party at Maurice Restaurant Francais in South Paris on Tuesday.
OhNO on One supporters, from left, Scott Berk of Otisfield, Katey Branch of South Paris and Lee Dassler of Otisfield, share a laugh at the campaign's post-election party above Cafe Nomad on Tuesday.
With about 96 percent of Maine precincts reporting, the yes campaign led in the vote on a citizen initiative to bring a casino with slot machines and table games to Oxford County.
According to unofficial tallies, the yes side was up by about 5,500 votes.
Black Bear Entertainment LLC wants to build a $165 million, four-season casino and resort it says would support more than 2,700 jobs, pump tens of millions of dollars into the economy and generate more than $60 million in tax revenue.
Opponents said a casino would suck money and jobs out of the economy, while increasing drunken driving and gambling addiction.
In Norway, Scott and Zizi Vlaun of the Oxford Hills No on 1 campaign were picking up road signs Wednesday. “It looks like we lost a close race even though we were outspent 600 to 1,” Scott Vlaun said.
“It's just tragic that our system works in such a way that money speaks louder than the truth,” he said.
Dennis Bailey, executive director of CasinosNo!, said that group might request a recount if the final difference was less than 1 percent.
“We've got five days to decide,” Bailey said.
He said he'd heard of irregularities between what polling places counted and the unofficial results, but he downplayed the issue, saying they were probably mistakes and probably not enough to tip the final count.
Maine's only casino, Hollywood Slots in Bangor, has 1,000 slot machines but no table games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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YES YES YES YES
WE WON GREAT FOR OXFORD,MAINE THANK YOU ALL WHO VOTED.........WE HAVE GREAT POLICE AND WILL WATCH OUT FOR DRUNK DRIVERS WHEN CASINO GETS GOING...EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO HIRE MORE....THE AREA WILL BE [[[[[SAFE]]]]]]]]]]] THANKS ALL FROM WATERFORD/
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i voted yes, and i signed the petitions to get one for lewiston and biddiford on the next ballot. Get some money coming to Maine, plant casinos all over the place. I am tired of driving to foxwoods anyways. What should we do go backwards? I believe this is a great forward move.
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so candiceanne....EVERY person in L/A voted against the casino?????? I don't think so! There were plenty of us that voted for it.....it was a close call, and if it hadn't been for those of us in Lewiston and Aubrun that DID vote yes it may not have passed.....you should be thanking us!!!!!
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At the very least, there should be more Mainers' money staying within the state rather than going to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. How many busloads of people travel down there DAILY (yes, there are daily buses from Portland) taking their money with them - money that will never return to the Pine Tree State? Now those same people will have the chance to avoid the eight-hour round trip, wager (and likely lose) their "mad money" in Oxford where 46% of the net profits are returned to Maine. And that doesn't even take into account all the jobs that will be created, the foods, beverages and sundries sold, the business expansion from ancillary support sectors, and the lodging and tourism gained - all of which provide increased tax revenues. Are there downsides to casino gambling? Absolutely. But considering the alternatives proposed by those opposed to the casino (none), this peoples' initiative - now law - appears to be the right move at the right time.
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didn't speak "louder than truth", as Vlaun said. People hopeful of jobs in the resort spoke louder, as well as businesses who will supply needed supplies, foods, and services.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Well, so it passed.
Now the casino backers are going to have to put their money where their mouth is-and actually deliver every single promise they made.
If they don't, this will be a very big mistake that everyone just voted for. I didn't vote for it-and I'm very cynical about how great this "new opportunity" will actually be.
We shall see what happens. No use crying over spilled mile, but remember this one little phrase: "Be careful of what you wish for-you might just get it."
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As a former mainer (and being a person that still calls maine home) .... I followed this campaign straight from the beginning....
I live in New Mexico now and live no more than 30 miles (in any direction) from about 10 casinos... (one is 3 miles away)... I want to voice my opinion on this.... yes these casinos are all Native owned and operated... BUT.... these casinos have BOOSTED the economy in this state.... not only do they offer gambling.... (I'll use the one thats closest as an example)... this particular casino offers several food options (including a buffet), conference centers and entertainment lounges (they just hosted the 90s band Barenaked Ladies in concert last weekend, and have hosted Michael Bolton, Crystal Gayle, among others), upstairs features an ALL ages bowling alley and gaming room.... Theres another just west of here that has a BBQ restaurant, multi-cultural buffet, child care center, (what they refer to as) Legends Theater (Where they've hosted concerts by Travis Tritt, Kenny Rogers, George Thurogood, Cindi Lauper, Pink Floyd Experience, etc) .... the one just north of us had (until it was closed due to safety concerns) a Dirt Late Model race track... and the one to the south just merged with Hard Rock....and everyone of these casinos has a lodging facilities.
NOW as far as crime... yeah theres Crime in New Mexico... BUT NOT AT THE CASINOS. The casino's offer support groups for people that may be addicted.... there is plenty of security at our casinos here.... and PLENTY of jobs... even if the ones here are native owned and operated they still offer jobs to the general public when the tribal members pass on the job. No I dont work at the casino's... I dont gamble... I enjoy going to the casinos to grab a bite to eat or knock a few pins down or to catch a show at a reasonable price (and feel safe) compared to going to an event center and paying an arm and a leg to see a concert, where you're more apt to find a fight or drunks acting stupid.
I personally feel that if any one of you that was and still is against the casino in Oxford County or the one proposed for Lewiston/Auburn were to step foot in a casino, you'd change your minds about them being "cesspools that spread crime and disease"
My 2 cents
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My question is, why keep bringing in Franklin County? You don't see Lewiston saying well Androscoggin and Cumberland county should boycott Oxford, So. Paris and Norway. Not that there is much reason to go there anyways. As for very large contributions, where do you get that from? You mean the 2 million dollars that goes to the ENTIRE Androscoggin County? Like I said previously why would Lewiston, Auburn or any Androscoggin county vote for the casino in Oxford when the county as a whole would get A LOT more from one in Lewiston? Also, yeah, Lewiston and Auburn have only their interested in themselves, you don't see anyone helping us out. Not only that how many other towns/cities in Maine are trying to find a way to help eachother? You seriously need to get over your lets hold hands and sing kumbaya, that may have happened in the the 50's, but times have changed. Like I said in a different post you can feel free to boycott Lewiston/Auburn. When you are laying on the floor having a heart attack I am pretty sure you aren't going to be like "Take me to Maine Med, I am boycotting L/A." Give me a break, you are extremely childish and apparently are irrational. Have a good day.
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I'll bet it would make your head spin to find out how much money Dennis Bailey has earned over the years from opposing casino referendum questions!!! Congratulations Oxford and all the people in Western Maine who will get jobs there!!!
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Will cold mornings in February ever stop coming?
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It's about time. Thank you Maine!
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I voted for Paul AND the casino! How is this for you?
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was the only candidate who didn't turn thumbs down on the casino. He said if the people wanted it, they should have it. And nobody here is boycotting L/A, at least nobody I know feels that way. There should be jobs enough in Oxford for people from L/A as well. Thank you, L/A for your support.
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Auburn voted yes CA
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I'm really glad this passed because most of the elderly people that don't want the State of Maine to change it's image or looks, needs to know that this is the 21st century. Times do change, horse and bugggies are now cars, radios are now TV's and a vacant lot is now going to be a casino. Probably the same people that voted for Paul LePage voted against the casino. I have an idea. Tear down all the Mardens and put casino's in it's place. Mardens doesn't have anything worth buying anyways. Paul LePage would probably take the credit for creating all new jobs at the casino's though. Just like his add, Paul LePage created hundreds of new jobs at Mardens. Whoa!! Mardens!! Create jobs at a real store chain.
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I'm 29 - Not elderly. I appreciate Maine the way it is, and I understand that there are DOZENS of other ways for Maine to create jobs. We didn't need to whore ourselves out.
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Wait a second, there are 30 people who disagree that they don't have to whore themselves out? LOL
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I'm 29 - Not elderly. I appreciate Maine the way it is, and I understand that there are DOZENS of other ways for Maine to create jobs. We didn't need to whore ourselves out.
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I am sick and tired of people continuing to say there are lots of other ways to creat jobs and yet year after year we have less and less jobs in state and more people moving away....wanting jobs and hoping for jobs is far different than having jobs....and even if you're not a fan of casino's - are you a fan of tourism? hospitality? hotels? restaurants? freight delivery services? landscaping? all those are outside the casino, most associated some way but all create jobs outside the casino gambling itself...wake up maine, those hi tech jobs you keep waiting for are not coming at this time...take what you can get and hope for better times later.
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L/A voted against the casino and therefore jobs for Oxford County residents. Built into the casino initiative is money for Androscoggin County which we can not change at this time, though it would not be unreasonable to seek to change that come next November. I join with many others in encouraging the citizens of Oxford and Franklin Counties, who for decades have patronized L/A businesses to boycott L/A. We can after all do better taking our shopping to NH with all their outlets and no sales tax. Portland offers better medical providers and the travel by car is only a few more minutes on the interstate with great shopping while there. L/A has said they don't support us and they don't need or want our business, let's give them what they want and boycott L/A.
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Oh ok! Maybe People from L/A should boycott Oxford County...oh thats right I don't go to Oxford County for anything.
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Before the elections, you were threatening a boycott if the question didn't pass. Now you're threatening a boycott because it did pass.
Drama queen.
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L/A is close enough to Oxford to commute for work--I'll bet a lot of people in L/A voted for the casino!!!
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GO FOR IT!!!!
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Your post is childish at best. Many people in Lewiston voted for the oxford county casino. I would think that most of the people who voted no voted that way because they are against all casinos, not just the one in Oxford. As they say, "don't take it personal". I think very few people bought into the Lewiston Casino Group's campaign of save your vote for L/A. The lewiston casino will not pass either way, it does not have local support, let alone statewide support.
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Are you kidding? Let me guess, you voted FOR the Casino in hopes to help out Maine's struggling economy? And yet when it comes down to "buying local" you'd rather go to NH to avoid Sales Tax? What a lazy, worthless SCUMBAG.
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Namecalling is not allowed.
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I guess you skipped the part about buy local first but when you have to go out of town instead of making that trip to L/A like you used to, go to NH where there are lots of outlets and no sales tax to save money as well as more choice. We in Oxford and Franklin Counties have always had to travel to do most of our shopping and get most services. Historically we have gone to L/A, time to change our destination.
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Noone has forced you to live in Oxford or franklin counties.. So complaining about having to travel to buy your goods is a rediculous point.. If you dont wantto travel, move closer to town. Its that simple... But you dont because there are things about living in Oxford/Franklin counties that benefit your lifestyle thus you CHOOSE to travel to shop.. Blaming Lewiston for your discontent with your shopping options and coupleing it with your lack of understanding that lewiston wanted the same as you did for this election..They wanted a casino in thier town, just like you did.. Guess what YOU got what YOU asked for, They didnt.. let it rest there.. Calling for a boycott is petty and childish.. It goes against the principles and morals behind our voting system... What you are calling for is to oppress a town because they competed for a particular industry with you and didnt give you thier votes... Competition is healthy for economics and usually essential (unless your CMP)... You won the vote... Is that not good enough for you ?? Now you want to get revenge for a lack of votere support from that town.. Gimme a break........ Our economy is driven by competetive markets, It is what a capitalist system is based on, and isnt that what this is all about, CAPITALISM???.. Now you want revenge towards competitors... So if I opened my business across the street from yours and decided to sell a few of the same items ,would I come into work to find my windows smashed every morning or some other form of retribution enacted by a revenge seeking competitor.... Its just wrong.. It is a diservice to our states economy to promote going out of state to shop rather than support our neighbors.... I look at neighboring towns like I look at a sibling relationship.... You may not always get along or agree and sometimes you may compete for things, but at the end of the day you will still be neighbors. Dont write each other off over petty crap. you never know whats around the corner and they just might be your strongest ally when the shit hits the fan....
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Come on Candiceanne! I usually agree with you on the issues but dont fall into the petty attitude towards Lewiston... Its just not right.. You cannot blame the people of lewiston for wanting the casino in thier town any more than they can blame the people of oxford for "stealing thier casino business".. It all comes down to pettyness... Why make it an us versus them issue? Boycotting any town in Maine just hurts our state... lewiston residents could just as easily say "boycott the oxford casino, go to foxwoods instead". But is that good for maine? Please dont promote this mentality.. It really is rediculous.. We have a system that allows us all to cast our own vote and it should be cast free from persecution for voting one way or the other.. If you call for a boycott based on how lewiston residents vote then you are trully undermining our system and promoting voter persecution. You have always struck me as a die hard american who is proud of our system of government and how it works. I have always read your posts and thought of you as a voice of reason. Until this post!!! Please choose to uphold the principles that keeps our country great and dont promote this bias based on votes.. Its unamerican.. Its not what we are supposed to do with our elections. We are supposed to rise above those tendencies.
Oxford got the vote for thier casino, they will get it like it or not.. Lets move on and make progress and move forward, not step backwards and lose our civility....
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KD, the Oxford Casino people went to the legislature and fought to have the L/A casino included on this years ballot. The Oxford Group supported the L/A initiative, that is not an us vs them attitude. It has been L/A that has made it us vs. them by campaigning agains Oxford and voting against Oxford after we fought for you and have written into our law very large contributions to your schools. L/A has campaigned on vote down Oxford this year save your vote for L/A next year instead of taking the Oxford stand of supporting both. Get real, L/A has made it clear their only interest in the people of Maine outside of L/A is for the money they can get from us. They are definitely not interested in thinking ahead in how can we support those outside so they can do more business with us. Therefore, I say, citizens of Oxford and Franklin Counties and all other places for that matter, take your business where it will be appreciated and where you will be supported and encouraged in your economic development as well. Boycott L/A for it certainly is not there.
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The casino vote PASSED; what's your gripe? Gotta have it both ways?
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Auburn voted FOR the Casino, as did quite a few people in Lewiston.
You're ridiculous. I hope the Casino spreads crime and disease through your entire county and turns it into the cesspool that surrounds most of the nations other Casinos.
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If casinos spread crime and disease then Lewiston/Auburn doesn't need the Casino. L/A already has more than its share of crime and disease. And yes Lewiston is a cesspool.
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