LEWISTON – High gas prices are prompting Melanie Herrick of Auburn to spend less time behind the wheel. She’s given up driving to work.

“I live one mile and one tenth from here. I walk,” said the manager of the downtown Twins Variety store.

It used to cost her $17 to fill up. “I filled it yesterday for $45,” Herrick said. “Walking to work and only using my car for doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, I’ve managed to make that $45 last three weeks.”

She has plenty of company.

A poll released Tuesday showed that 49.8 percent of Mainers were driving a lot less due to gas prices. Another 32.5 percent said they drove somewhat less; 16.3 percent said high gas prices had had no effect on how much they drove.

The Pan Atlantic SMS Group poll also showed that a majority of Mainers didn’t favor a casino in Oxford County, a question that will be on the November ballot.

Those who said they were opposed or were leaning toward voting no made up 51.3 percent; 36.1 percent said they were in favor or were leaning toward voting yes. Another 12.8 percent were undecided.

People interviewed at random in Lewiston on Tuesday agreed with one facet of the poll results: They were driving less because of gas prices. However, most differed from the poll in that they approved of a casino in Oxford.

“They should have a casino. It would bring in jobs,” said Anita Harmon of Lewiston.

“I favor it, absolutely,” said Jill Childs of Leeds. “It’ll bring more business to the county. Gosh, we’ve got it in Bangor. Why shouldn’t we have it here?”

Herrick said a casino would draw more attractions and people to the area. “Overall, it will help the economy,” Herrick said. “We’re losing businesses every day. It will give employment. Foxwoods has thousands of employees.”

Charles Soule of Lewiston said he’s favored casinos in the past, but not now. With a weaker economy, he’s concerned people would gamble money they need for necessities.

Edward Charpentier, originally from Lewiston and now from Florida, favors a casino. “I don’t see any harm in it. It would be a great help to the area.”

On the question of whether they were driving less because of gas prices, Childs and Charpentier said yes.

Childs drives 20 miles back and forth to work. “And that’s basically it, because financially you have to watch your pennies.” She’s cut out the half-mile and 3-mile trips she used to make, she said.

The poll also showed that Mainers identified high gas prices as the second most important issue facing the state, second only to jobs. When asked how they intended to spend their federal tax-rebate “stimulus” checks, 24.8 percent said they would spend them on next winter’s heating costs; 17 percent planned to save the money; 30 percent said they would pay bills.

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