More Gloss Than Grit

It's a mouthful, this so-called Evergreen Mountain Four Season Resort & Casino. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue now, does it. The long name bespeaks the project's aim to be all things to all people: a creator of jobs, a magnet for tourists, an anchor for investment, a benefactor of state programs, a guarantor of student loans, a steward of the natural environment, and a liberator of honest Maine folk just looking for a little entertainment close to home. It is Seth Carey's very own economic stimulus package for Oxford County.

But Seth has retreated to the background. Instead, Pat LaMarche, one of Maine's most recognizable public figures, has come to the fore to champion the idea of casinos in Maine. Last evening she made her pitch in Rumford before three dozen people in the Town Hall auditorium. At stake is a referendum question on the November ballot that, if passed, would give the ever-green light to construction of a casino "somewhere in Oxford County." What's more, the venture would be protected from any and all competitors for ten years.

Saying that the project is in the "conceptual" stage might be generous. Lacking a business plan, Carey has been unable to secure a favorite-son endorsement from the River Valley Growth Council, which hosted last night's forum. LaMarche threw out a few figures--4,000 visitors a day, a thousand jobs, repatriation of a million Maine dollars now going to Foxwoods--and promised more by November 4 (Year Five total revenues? revenues per customer?). She estimated ripple-effect job creation at 40%; for every ten casino jobs, four more would be created in the local economy.

Representative John Patrick led a discussion about how the Maine Legislature would have the opportunity to massage the bill if it passes. Though Patrick supports the initiative, he admits that it might need some "fixing" by the Legal and Veterans' Affairs Committee, on which he has served. Alas, Patrick is termed out and will be running for County Commissioner, begging the question as to who will remain in the House to shepherd this thing through. Talk of "trusting the Legislature" to get it right brought involuntary twitches from more than a few in last night's gathering. Something about foxes and chickens...oh, never mind.

LaMarche's patter was a reprise of her radio-host shtick as she tried to cozy up to her audience with local trivia and home-spun aphorisms. Clearly she is being paid to lend credibility and buy time while Evergreen tries to get its act together. Which is exactly what Evergreen promises: entertainment.