The Sun Journal editorial Oct. 28 supporting slots in Washington County, while appearing reasonable and balanced in its presentation of the pros and cons, cries out for a more rigorous analysis. Underlying nearly every sentence of your endorsement is an assumption that the present racetrack/casino has not yet done any great harm.

But how can we know that? It’s not that the data is unavailable. Nor is it that the Maine Gambling Control Board hasn’t suggested that just such a study be undertaken. It’s simply that it, or anyone else, needs better access to the racino’s records. Hollywood Slots, instead of cooperating, usually counters with a new publicity campaign along the lines of “Promises Made, Promises Kept.”

Thus, before we conclude the existing racino is harmless, and since we’re not going to be invited into the racino’s back room, wouldn’t it be prudent at least to see how those original promises play out?

Back in the summer of 2003, local voters approved development of the Bangor Historic Raceway into a racino. Scarborough voters faced a similar measure that November. The proliferation of racinos was already a concern, so the wording on each proposal was meticulously crafted by promoters to address these issues. There would be only “a limited number of slots” confined to only those two racetracks – “where gambling already exists.” Voters needn’t worry about the slots spreading; proponents said a new law would prohibit such a development.

Disillusionment, at least in Scarborough, came literally overnight. They voted down their “opportunity” on Nov 4. On Nov. 5 they awoke up to learn “Scarborough” didn’t have to mean Scarborough! It also meant Westbrook, Gorham, Saco – even Cape Elizabeth.

In Bangor, likewise, it turned out its racino didn’t have to be in Bangor, or “historic,” or even a “raceway.” They threatened to move to Brewer, ended up at a rather ordinary restaurant, and soon will morph into a mega-million- dollar complex with more slots than Foxwoods had originally.

So those promises are clearly gone. A complete listing of other broken promises and unforeseen developments would require a special edition of this newspaper. Yet, there is one particular “unforeseen development” that I find most troubling. However, the Sun Journal endorsement completely neglected to deal with it.

I have noticed principal promoters of this referendum are lawmakers and/or law enforcement officials. Can you imagine living in a community where we willingly and knowingly create dependency upon gambling to fund our most basic governmental services? Health care? Education? Picture the police department getting a patrol car “donated.”

Is this the right answer, the right funding strategy to deal with these economic and budgetary problems?

No way.

Fred Kilfoil, Portland