3 Ski Resorts Oppose Casino in Western Maine

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – Three of the state's
biggest ski resorts are joining the effort to defeat a proposed casino
in western Maine.

Dana Bullen, general manager of Sunday River, told workers in
a memo aid the casino would be incompatible with Maine's "brand." That
brand, Bullen says, focuses on Maine's "rugged outdoor image,
uncompromised natural beauty, family-friendly environment, and Yankee
originality."


Link to SunJournal Article

MAINE SKI RESORTS OPPOSE OXFORD COUNTY CASINO

Sunday River in Bethel has joined with other ski resorts, businesses and individuals in Maine to oppose Question 2 on November’s ballot, the proposed gambling casino for Oxford County.

In a memo to Sunday River’s employees, Dana Bullen, general manager of Sunday River, said the casino would be incompatible with Maine’s “brand.”

“The decision to oppose casinos in Maine is based on our belief that the proposed casino represents a clear threat to our State’s brand and is a poor choice for the citizens of Maine,” he said. “Maine is one of the few states in the nation that is fortunate to actually claim a ‘brand’ identity. Maine is known for its rugged outdoor image, uncompromised natural beauty, family-friendly environment, and Yankee originality. These are attributes the State of Maine promotes to the world through its tourism efforts, and attributes that Sunday River has tied into our own Visioning process. They are what differentiate us from all other states in the country.

“There is a stark contrast between these attributes, for which Maine is known, and those associated with casino gambling,” the memo continued.

Saddleback Mountain, Sugarloaf and Sunday River have joined with CasinosNO! to help defeat the casino, and Bullen said the company will be making a financial contribution to the anti-casino group.

“Although Sunday River does not have a history of adopting a corporate position on public referendum, we feel that this issue warrants our involvement as a company,” Bullen wrote. “We respect every employee's right to have their own, and possibly a differing, view on this issue. At the same time, however, we hope that every employee understands Sunday River’s position and will make an informed choice.”

Warren Cook, general manager of Saddleback Mountain, said, “The ski industry in Maine has made millions of dollars in investments to create good jobs and attract tourists who come here for our clean environment, beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation. This is Maine's strength. A gambling casino doesn't play to our strengths, it preys on our weaknesses."

Contact: Dennis Bailey, CasinosNO!, 207-347-6077, 207-749-4963
Warren Cook, Saddleback Mountain, 207-266-2533

Excerpt of "Letter to the Editor" - The Bethel Citizen

Read casino plan carefully

"Please don’t be lulled into the promise of “800” new jobs because many
of these will be filled by experienced casino workers from outside
Maine and/or by local people currently working in existing jobs."

Link