LIVERMORE FALLS – Both sides made good points. Both groups were quick to point out the pros and the cons of whether Maine should have a casino.

By the time the debate between the freshman honor economics students at Livermore Falls High School concluded, people could see both sides.

The group had spent the past two weeks preparing for their quarter-final exam, which came in debate form.

Five judges would grade them individually on content, including how they analyzed the problem for its vital statistics and used logical reasoning. They also were judged on delivery that included whether they used effective gestures and used notes moderately.

If the pressure of debating in front of a panel of judges, which included their principals, wasn’t enough, upperclassmen sat eagerly awaiting the question and answer period.

The Casinos ‘No’ Team’s push centered on people becoming pathological gamblers, increased crime and drug use, small businesses and Wal-Marts being pushed out of the state. They also noted that despite some states spending more money on education because the state received casino profits, education hadn’t improved.

They also stressed that the state would receive only an alleged 25 percent of the money from slot machines profits and the restaurants and other businesses at the casinos would pay no taxes.

The Casinos ‘Yes’ Team pressed on the 10,000 new jobs at the casino in addition to construction jobs to build the resort. They also stressed property tax relief and that casino resort owners would buy goods and services from Maine companies and businesses. It would boost Maine’s tourism, they alleged, and bring in millions of dollars from out of state.

Despite the anti-casino ads stating no minors would be allowed to gamble, team members said, there would be an arcade built for kids to play in while parents gamble.

And though 25 percent of slot machine profit coming to Maine doesn’t sound like much, Rebecca Leclerc said, it added up to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prior to the debate, Davis Mercier who debated on the Casinos ‘No’ Team but really favored a casino, said preparation was “a lot of work and it took a long time.”

His teammate Nick Berry said he was a little nervous – it was a quarter exam and he didn’t know how he’d fare during the debate in front of others.

Rachel Ventrella, who debated for the opposing side, said her team stayed after school for the last week researching the issue. Her team also made buttons and passed them out to judges before the debate began. One such button read “You vote no – Economy won’t grow.”

dperry@sunjournal.com

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