What "Clown" is coming up with this? I guess "Augusta" is lacking for allot!!

Just my opinion, but I hate casinos. I've had my friends drag me there and watch them play. I can't see the fun in sitting at a slot machine and gambling away hard earned money. Our economy is strapped as it is, and people are being laid off here and there. I don't see how allowing more slots would be a good thing. Yeah, it may create a few more jobs, but in the long run, people are losing their money. I'm not against it. I just don't think people need to complain about not having cash for necessities and then going to gamble with what they do have. Some people call it fun, I call it ummm, stupid. My boyfriend thinks I am crazy, cause he likes to gamble, but I think there is more constructive things he can do with his money. Like save it for something he needs or buy something that is going to last for a long time and that will be used, rather than spending it on a few minutes of pulling a handle or pushing a button.

Forget the slots, let's get a real resort casino here in Maine, with table games, night clubs, theaters, a conference center... the whole show. Maybe if Calais "Area" went for this as a Downeast Casino and Resort, the rest of the state would vote for it now that they are lossing all their other industry.

Well not all people abuse slots...and alot of people WIN :) You have to have some form of enjoyment in life and if a grown up wishes to spend some of their money there...that is their business. Some people choose to spend on movies, bingo, lottery tickets, cigarettes, drinking, ski passes, etc ...and like I said whomever wishes to visit these establishments...it is their perrogative. If YOU don't like it there...go catch a movie.

Just what Maine needs is 3000 slots in the state! Slots are a suckers bet!! You play and you will eventually lose. They are nothing more than a carefully calculated machine that in the long run will always make money for the house and make the player a loser. In the short term anything can happen but how many of us can walk away after winning a few dollars and stay away? I go to a casino about once a year. That is a REAL casino with tables, poker, shows, etc. If we are going to have slots in Maine at least be smart and make it a competitive draw for the business!! The present setup is just a money grab like everything else this state is doing! I do llike the buffet at Hollywood Slots but I won't play the machines or go just for the gambling. I enjoy low stakes poker with real players and to be able to go to a show, walk the boardwalk, and enjoy the rest of Atlantic City. Get real Maine!! Either go all the way or don't do it at all! Yes, I do agree with stcroixvalley the rest of the state shot this area down twice maybe you should reconsider and leave a developer alone to set up a viable business without putting handcuffs on them and setting them up to fail. "Us poor dumb folk in Washington County" don't need "Uncle John" being our guardian anymore. Just look at where we are as "wards of the state". Could we be any worse off on our own?

I didn't mean to say that it's not enjoyable for people, I just wanted to post my opinion, that's all. I'm sure there are tons of people who love losing their money. Haha. No but seriously, of course I avoid the slots and go to the movies. I just wanted to say that I don't think it's a good idea to be adding more of them in such a bad economy. That's all.

I agree w/ stcroixvalley, we need a full service casino, not just slots. I vote for putting one on Sears Island, and another one in the Calais area, and another one up in the County, and maybe another one over in Oxford plains. Maybe one around Jackman, or Greenville. I bet if Plum Creek wanted to put one in, there wouldn't be any problem

Shouldn't come as much of a surprise, given how liberal Maine has become.

dccrane1952

If "we" are looking for some places for slots, How about in Augusta!!! There seems to be many "idle" folks needing something to do....

Hey stcroisvalley I like that idea I sure would vote for that seeing nothing else will ever come to downeast Maine.

Save your money for Vegas...there you can drink 24/7 (free while you gamble), smoke indoors, and play table games.

Plus most of the women there dress out under 200 lbs and have teeth.

Nice to see the out-of-touch Augusta Elite business development plan @ work. Will the new slot machines will take food stamps?

Most everyone here assumes everyone else is strapped for cash. Yes, me and my friends are but I think you'd be shocked to know some have ample money to spend as they see fit. Not to mention some people don't "waste" thier money on snowmobiles and ATV's.

If there is enough bussiness to support it, let it try. If it can stand on it's own merit with all the Gov. regulations, taxations and red tape more power to it.

I'm tired of the discrimination!!!!! I have just as much right to slot machines and poker tables in Maine as anyone!!! It is time for equal rights. Stop the segregation! Stop the corruption! Stop the discrimination! If we're going to lagalize, then lets legalize it for all of us. Do we really need a civil war to settle this issue?

Although, "producing" something would be more desirable, a casino with all the amenities in Washington County may be a venture that could be undertaken. It isn't my personal choice for entertainment but Washington County is starving to death and with each passing day the situation grows more desperate. The residents could benefit with improved roads, infrastructure and commerce. If the people of Washington County organized and presented a plan and demanded equitable treatment, comparable to an out of state speculator/developer/investor, maybe something good would come from it. Certainly there could be jobs generated- the grounds will need to be landscaped, there will have to be an onsite plant crew to manage the facility, food services, environmental services, maybe a salon and health club, an internet cafe, business services for the conventions, may as well plan BIG! There are people in the state who have experience in vacation properties-Tom Walsh for one.... This could happen and the citizens of Washington County could be in control!

Casinos NO! is surprised that something has been voted on and turned down would make that the final decision. Then they shouldn't look at the gay marraige issue in the state of Maine. Hasn't that been voted on twice already?

Put some of those slots in a coffee shop in Vassalboro and they might be worth playing.

Let's be nice and share......Put the slots on the reservation where they belong.........Too hell with Bangor..........

Let's be nice and share......Put the slots on the reservation where they belong.........Too hell with Bangor..........

Wow, its' great to hear from some folks who want to make lemonade out of lemons...Huraah.......Let's get a real Casino / Resort with all the fixings...I like these guys who want to go all the way...what else is there......well, I guess we could open a shoe factory somewhere in Maine....ya think....

No, this bill will pass easily as long as it isn't tribal and as long as it isn't in Washington County.

WHAT'S GOOD FOR ONE SHOULD BE GOOD FOR ALL. IF SLOTS CAN BE PUT IN PLACES WITHOUT A RACE TRACK NEARBY WHY SHOULDN'T THE INDIANS BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM TOO. IT ONLY GETS VOTED DOWN WHEN IT'S THE INDIANS THAT WANT THEM. SO THEY ALL DRIVE TO BANGOR OR JUST BUY SCRATCH TICKETS HOPING TO WIN.

Casino No.. seems only to accompllish anything in Washington County, the one place that could benefit the MOST from it! Perhaps there will be some extended sympathies towards this area with the mill closing and we could get some more JOBS here. Be nice to see people come here to spend thier money instead of Bangor or St. John. For the record, keeping a casino out doesn't prevent gambling. People have the divine right to spend the money the earn however they want... woukld really love to see more spent in this area, especially now that the mill is closing.

Is anyone out there listening to me! A vote to bring in a big corporate casino is a vote to enslave me. We also don't need to give a casino to people because they are of a certain ethnic group. We need to give the same rights to everyone. If you want to legalize casinos, you better make sure that I have the same right to have a casino. Remember when you take away my rights, you take away your value as a human being. I will fight to the death to protect my rights. To hell with all of you in Augusta who support this discrimination! Hey BDN why won't you cover all sides of this issue? Please, contact me.

If this passes then we should have 4 full blown casinos. Not just slots.

put 1 in the southern, northern, eastern, and western Maine.

And it shouldn`t have to be run by a tribe. Let a company come in here and split Maine`s share with every county evenly.

I for one don`t care if I ever go into a casino or racino, just not my cup of tea.

But some people do enjoy it.

Hey equalrightsforall I have said the same thing you are saying since I first heard of discrimination when I was about 5 years old, that would be some 30,40,or 50 years ago:) no one listened then, no one listens now unless it's getting their way even if it's bad for all. Everyone has been so de-sensitized no one looks at the big picture or cares. Let me tell you if you think I like handing my money off the top of my pay check to welfare sucking, drinking, throwing their money away gambling loser, I have hated it since I was 16 at my first "got support the loser" via taxes, job.

But I will tell you this e.r.f.a. for real "what goes around comes around, good and bad You may not get the revenge in your life time and you may not be the one to do it but it will happen. And if you do get to see and enjoy it don't gloat, just enjoy.

I'm not giantly religous but a place in the Bible suggest your children will suffer your sins. I have seen that over and over again and it's true.

I will not spend one penny on gambling until everyone in this world can also have a gambling house.

Oh and do not visit establishment these horrible politicans and their familys own. I hate discrimination and I will not add to it unless someone discriminates then I really don't like them and will not show respect to them.

If you don't like casinos/racinos then just don't visit them. Think about this would you please, you know who you are.....if the vast majority of the people who live in the general area of an establishment do not go to them they will eventually close. Is this not correct? or will 13 poeple or so keep these million dollar places open. Let the individual decide, or does it really pain you that much that YOU cannot decide for everyone? Think about it...

sector good point I've always said that too don't like it stay away from it, what makes me mad is people on welfare going there So I ask if you are on welfare is what you lost or what you win deducted from your next welfare check? I don't care if people blow every last cent to their name in these places, but they should not be allowed welfare of any form or any other free ride when they and their kids are out on the street because of it.

I could care less about the slot machines as I'm a Quadraplegic and can't pull the arms to work them. I would love to go to a off track betting parlor to bet on a horse race and watch them over the tv's they have. That is something I can do and enjoy it.

Slot machines are a waste of time and money if you want to sit there looking at a machine at the colored pictures in the window, big deal.

THE ONLY ONE THAT WINS IS THE HOUSE... THE HOUSE PREYS MOSTLY ON LOWER INCOME FOLKS...!!!

Tribal gaming is historical, traditional and should not be resisted. There is no legal, realistic, intelligent or credible basis for debate by non-Indians over the Maliseet and Passamaquoddy right to traditionally harvest our forested lands or traditionally fish our territorial waters. Unfortunately, it is just as clear that it is less well known that organized gaming has always been a third pillar of our tribal economy, with an equally valid historical tradition and legal basis.

The Maliseets of the Wuloostook (Aroostook region) and our previously mentioned Wabanaki (Abenaki) neighbours, the Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot, all played a similar “game of chance” which, in Malecite-Passamaquoddy, is called “altestakon.”, or “waltestakon”. It has been clearly documented as early as a myth collected by the author, Mechling, in 1911, as well as by Maine ethnographers from the 17th century onward. The game is very simple and involves antler bones marked as dice and sticks (chips) being used to keep points.

During his capture by the Maliseets along the coast at Pemaquid, Maine, and his eventual seven year stay among the Maliseets in modern-day northern Maine and western New Brunswick, Canada, at the end of the 17th century, John Gyles observed our keen interest in this game. Because of his Protestant New England background, Gyles was very biased against such gaming activities and improperly critical of Maliseet players, citing a concern that has been inappropriately raised many times since then. “By their play with dice,” he records in his journal, “they lose much time, playing whole days and nights together, sometimes staking their whole effects.” Gyles quickly learned, however, that gaming was an integral part of the Maliseet traditional economy and way of life.

My review of Maliseet and Passamaquoddy history in both the United States and Canada illustrates how gaming has been prevalent enough among our people to produce our own version of gambling addiction as early as the 1690’s, nearly 130 plus years before Maine became a state. It is also clear that it is exactly such traditional economic activities (foresting, fishing and gaming) that existed at the time of the Watertown Treaty of 1776 and which, in the 21st century, were meant to be “left alone” and even “protected” in their modern forms in Maine as an ongoing treaty obligation.

This is the law and these are the relevant facts, in my view, and Governor Baldacci must have these in mind before making any further absurd statements or taking “personal” action for or against economic development by our respective tribes.

It is unavoidable that there will be uninformed voices of concern coming from the non-Indian community for or against such a referendum. in modern day Maine. But the governments have an obligation not to fuel such concern but should instead inform the citizenry of the law. They should certainly not go to the complete opposite end of the continuum and oppose tribal economic efforts while favoring out-of-state business interests ahead of those within the state.

In view of our historical and modern experience in gaming, it is unrealistic for anyone, including Governor Baldacci, to think the Maliseet or Passamaquoddy can stop being interested or practicing something as traditional and culturally relevant as gaming, anymore than we can stop being interested in what happens on our tribal lands, forests and the fishery as a continuing basis of our respective tribal economies. These have always been the means by which tribal members and tribal familes have met our economic needs, and these, I can safely predict, will continue to be, with greater or lesser emphasis, the means by which we must continue to meet such economic needs.

If I am anywhere near correct with regard to our respective tribal rights and economic interests, it will be improper for the Governor of Maine, given our clear historical support of the United States and the people of Maine, the existence of a valid treaty, and an obvious tribal need to modernize our respective economies that he should resist our growing efforts to be self-sufficient and to solve our continuing economic needs in our own ways, subject to any obvious, internationally accepted, safety or environmental standards..

I understand when Governor Baldacci states publicly a Racino would be good for the economy of the State of Maine, which is his community. I also understand why the Bangor community would lobby for a Racino. These communities have not only a right but an obligation to develop and maintain a self-sufficient economy. But, as has been far more eloquently stated by the tribal representatives and local Maine government representatives, the same need for self-sufficiency is even more true for our tribal communities. Most Maliseet and Mi’kmaq tribal members already receive gaming-based revenues. It is not unrealistic for the Passamaquoddy to benefit similarly by way of operating and receiving direct, gaming-based financial benefits to pay for escalating Passamaquoddy health, housing, education and social costs, which the United States and Maine are presently paying for either directly or indirectly. The responsibility and opportunity to generate such funding rightly belongs to our own tribal members and leaders, which, if not resisted by the Governor, they have every intention of doing.

When Baldacci used personal reasons as his basis for using his public authority as Maine’s Governor to resist Tribal gaming, he trespassed on the public trust in a citizen’s use of that authority, even where that citizen is the Governor. As Passamaquoddy representative, Fred Moore, promised, this Indian gaming issue will not go away. None of us will tolerate the dismissing, out of hand, even by the Governor or citizens of Maine, of such proven and legitimate economic development initiatives. This was a betrayal of Indian trust and such betrayal will not be easily forgiven and it will surely never be forgotten.

Governor Baldacci was reminded that it was not too long ago that the Founding Fathers of America, including a General George Washington, as he then was, and leaders just like the Governor himself, eagerly sought the protection, friendship, economic and military assistance of the Maliseets, Passamaquoddy, Mi’kmaq and Penobscot.

You can be sure our historical decision to assist the first leaders of the newly formed, United States of America, required lengthy discussion and deliberation by American and Maliseet representatives in and around the council chambers at Boston, but, after seven days, the Maliseet Chiefs, or “Eastern Indians” as we were then known, as represented by Ambrose Bear, a Maliseet Chief, agreed to support the American rebellion against King George III of Great Britain in order to protect all the people in this part of the United States of America from military attack by the British army, which was poised for just such an attack in Nova Scotia and ready to march through the north Maine woods and wipe out Boston and the newly formed United States of America.

These are facts that are well known and that should still be considered in the context of the Governor’s actions as to whether he and other Mainers were, in fact, upholding the spirit of that the American and Maliseet treaty of July 1776, which was concluded at a hidden American congressional location in Watertown, Massachusettes, or not.

When James Bowdoin, who was then the President of the Massachusettes Bay Colonial Council and representing the newly declared “United States of America on the one part” and “Ambrose Var (Bear)” who was the Maliseet Chief representing the “Eastern Indians” on the other part of that treaty document, it was their mutual intention to form a permanent alliance and friendship for the benefit of both parties, and that the treaty be legally valid and remain in force as a binding legal obligation on both parties.

This treaty is not only still in force as part of the highest law of the land by virtue of the U.S. Constitution, it continues to be the context, or the “spirit and intent”, within which relations between the people of the United States and the Maliseet people must legally be conducted in modern times. Governor Baldacci is, therefore, clearly not obeying the law by resisting the efforts of the tribes in achieving economic self determination through either gaming initiatives or, if we so choose, commercial fisheries or forestry initiatives.

Simply put, the Governor of Maine had no lawful authority to use Maine’s sovereign powers against the Passamaquoddy as he did under the guise of “personal” reasons, or because, in his personal opinion, the Indian gaming initiative was not “sustainable economic development”, especially where his own brother’s client’s Hollywood Slots in Bangor continues to scream out as evidence to the contrary.

The referendum mechanism was also a “red” herring. There simply is, in few of the valid treaty, no legal requirement for tribal members, who benefit from a constitutionally protected treaty relationship, to have to seek and obtain the permission from citizens of the United States situated in Maine to pursue our own, well proven, gaming-based, economic ventures. This is, of course, equally true with regard to tribal members pursuing or benefiting from our own, self-sufficient canoe making, basket making, fishing or forestry-based economic ventures.

No one has more experience in the gaming or casino industry in this region than the tribes. Traditional gaming, in the modern form of electronic technology, is still practiced by the Maliseet. None of these traditional “pillars” of our Maliseet and Passamaquoddy tribal economies ever required anyone’s permission before and there still exists no legal or moral basis, regardless of personal or political expediencies that may exist to attempt to do so now.

A third, Inter-tribal casino initiative is being organized and will likely succeed this time, as we believe, confident in our shared history, we'll get Maine's full public support this time around.

On July 19th, 1776, just 15 days after the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Watertown, concluded at a secret location in a suburb of Boston, with the Maliseet Nation (St. John Indians) was the very first international treaty made on behalf of the new republic of the United States of America and is transcribed as follows:

WATERTOWN TREATY: 1776

WHEREAS, the United States of America, in general Congress Assembled, have ... declared that these United Colonies are ... free and independent States ... and ... have full power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and things which independent States have the right to do;

WE THE GOVERNORS, of the State of Massachusetts Bay, do ... enter into and conclude the following Treaty of Friendship and Alliance....

1st, We the Governors of the said State of Massachusetts Bay, in behalf of the said State, and the other United States of America on the one part, and Ambrose Bear, Newell Sallis, and Francis, delegates of the St. John's Tribe, Joseph Deneguarra, Charles, Mattahu Antrane, Nicholas, John Battis, Peter Andre and Sebattis Netobcobwit, Delegates of the Micmac Tribe of Indians, inhabiting within the Province of Nova Scotia, for themselves, and in behalf of said Tribes on the other part, do solemnly agree that the people of the said State of Massachusetts Bay, and of the other United states of America, and of the said Tribes of Indians shall henceforth be at peace with each other, and be considered as Friends and Brothers united and allied together for their mutual defence, safety and happiness.

2nd, That each party to this Treaty shall, and will consider the enemies of the other as Enemies to themselves, and do hereby solemnly promise and engage to and with each other, that when called upon for that purpose, they shall, and will, to the utmost of their abilities, aid and assist each other against their public Enemies, and particularly, that the people of the said Tribe of Indians shall and will afford, and give to the people of the said State of Massachusetts Bay, and the people of the other United States of America, during their present war with the King of Great Britain, all the aid and assistance in their power.

AND, that they the people of said Tribes of Indians shall not, and will not directly or indirectly give any aid, or assistance to the Troops, or Subjects, of the said King of Great Britain, or others adhering to Him, or hold any correspondence, or carry on any Commerce with them during the present war.

3rd, That if any robbery or outrage happens to be committed by any of the Subjects of the said State of Massachusetts Bay, or any of the United States of America, upon any of the people of said Tribes, the said State shall upon proper application being made, cause satisfaction and restitution speedily to be made to the Party injured.

4th, That if any robbery or outrage happens to be committed by any of the said Tribes of Indians, upon any of the Subjects of the said State, or of any of the other of the United States of America, the Tribe to which the offender, or offenders shall belong, shall, upon proper application being made, cause satisfaction and restitution speedily to be made to the Party injured.

5th, That in case any misunderstanding, quarrel, or injury shall happen between the said State of Massachusetts Bay, or any other United States of America, and said Tribes of Indians, or either of them, no private revenge shall be taken, but a peaceable application shall be made for redress.

6th, That the said Tribes of Indians, shall and will furnish and supply 600 strong men out of said Tribes, or as many as may be, who shall without delay proceed from their several homes up to the Town of Boston within this State, and from thence shall march to join the Army of the United States of America, now at New York, under the immediate command of his Excellency, General George Washington, there to take his orders.

7th, That each of the Indians who shall by their respective Tribes, be appointed to join the Army of the United States of America, shall bring with him a good gun, and shall be allowed One Dollar for the use of it; and in case the Gun shall be lost in the Service, shall be paid the value of it.

AND, the pay of each Man shall begin from the time they sail from Machias for Boston, and they shall be supplied with provisions, and a vessel or vessels for their passage up to Boston. Each private Man shall receive the like pay as is given to our own private Men. The Indians shall be formed into Companies when they arrive in Boston, and shall want them not exceeding the term of three years, unless General Washington and they shall agree for a longer time.

AND, as Joseph Denaquarra, Peter Andre and Sabattis Netobcowit, have manfully and generously offered to enter immediately into the war, they shall be sent as soon as may be, to General Washington to join the Army, and shall be considered as entering into our pay at the time of arrival at New York.

8th, The delegates above named, who may return to their homes, do promise and engage, to use their utmost influence with the Passamaquoddy, and other neighbouring Tribes of Indians to persuade them to furnish, and supply for the said service, as many strong men of their respective Tribes as possible, and that they come along with those of the Tribes of St. John's Micmac.

AND, the said Governor, of the said State of Massachusetts Bay, does hereby engage to give to such of the Passamaquoddy, or other neighbouring Indians, who shall enter into the service of the United States of America, the same pay and encouragement in every particular, as is above agreed to be given to the St. John's, or Micmac Indians, and to consider them as our friends and Brothers.

9th, That the said State of Massachusetts Bay shall, and will furnish their Truckhouses at Machias, as soon as may be with proper Articles for the purpose of supplying the Indians of said Tribes with the necessaries and conveniences of life.

10th, And the said Delegates do hereby annul and make void all former Treaties by them or by others in behalf of their respective Tribes made with any other Power, State, or Person, so far forth as the same shall be repugnant to any of the Articles contained in this Treaty.

Attested.

The Passamaqouddy joined in the war on the side of the United States, along with the Maliseets who had already sent 120 canoes with 500 warriors to join forces with General George Washigton as Indian officers and enlistedmen in the American army at Boston and New York. Together, we then fought and won the battles of Boston and New York, and then, the American Revolutionary War itself .

I am not so sure we would have supported the rebel Americans, when asked, and would have given up our treaty relationship with the British Crown, had we known or, even, suspected that Americans, especially those now in Maine, would so completely attempt to resist or deny us our traditional lands and our traditional economies based upon hunting, fishing, gathering, foresting and, yes, gaming.

Hey AmbroseBear, you can't have it if I can't have it. I'm burdened by your ignorance. You need to stop discriminating against me. How are we suppose to respect someone who doesn't respect our rights.

Greetings, equalrightsforall

You should know that the Treaty mentioned here respected, as far as we were able to do so with 600 or so tribal braves, your right to exist unmolested by soldiers and other enemies poised to be sent against you through the north Maine woods by the British Crown when your ancestors had no other friends or allies, literally.

As you are likely a so-called white man, your allegations that (1) I am ignorant and (2), as such, am a burden to you are, in the first instance, inccurate, as I am not considered an ignorant man nor someone who ignores anyone. And, in the second instance, as I am not considered ignorant, I can not agree that I would, therefore, be any sort of burden to you.

If I am correct, unlike yourself, I have experienced living many years interned on one of the white man's so-called "Indian" reservations. I think you might benefit from such experience in terms of your gaining a more complete perspective with regard to these kinds of economic issues. I would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate, here, my respect for and my willingness to continue to protect the rights our tribes granted you and your people in our treaties. It is a simple fact that you live today because my ancestors promised your ancestors they would likely survive their American Revolution provided they kept their treaty promises to us.

You now say to someoone who descends directly from those who protected your ancestors that I am ignorant. It is you, in the full light of the truth these historical records represent, who appear to be ignoring this truth and, are, therefore, ignorant. You tell me that since you can not "have it". It should follow that I can not "have it". If by "it" you mean a "gaming" based economy of your own design, then I commit to you my support (albeit moral) for any gaming initiative you may undertake within your government and among your people.

On the other hand, our people, as the above posted historical record clearly points out, have, historically, never needed your support for a "gaming" venture within our tribal government; which, from the treaty perspective of the United States of America since July of 1776. is a foreign government. You speak of respect.

Then, respect your treaty and respect our tribal, historical and international right to self determination and self sufficiency, especially when we are pursuing these rights through traditional economic activities, such as foresting, fishing or a gaming-based economy of our own design among our own people.

I'm up for a meeting to peacefully discuss these issues. You name the date, place and time. I'll be the one with the head-dress on.

Greetings AmbroseBear,

I agree, we need to have a public meeting so that all of us can speak our thoughts on the gaming issue. We need to find a way to make gaming fair. Our business takes in less money because of companies like Penn National. We compete for the same entertainment dollars that they do. The state refuses to compensate us for our loss. We have petitioned the state since 1996 to be allowed to have some form of casino gaming. We have been ignored by both the city of Bangor and the state of Maine. Let's get a meeting set up so that all of our voices can be heard.

And you are right, I have never lived on a reservation. But I have endured years of segregation, discrimation and corruption at the hands of my own government. Please, contact me anytime. equalrightsforeveryone@live.com

Yes. As Indians and Mainers, let's join forces, once again on this and any other economic issues of common concern. I'll contact you as you have offered. Many thanks for the opportunity to do so.