Legislators: Backer was necessary for casino project to move forward

Two Oxford County legislators said that having an experienced backer for the Oxford County Casino was a necessity for the project to move forward.

The Olympia Group, a Las-Vegas company that manages several major casinos, announced its purchase of Evergreen Mountain Enterprises this morning.

Evergreen Mountain Enterprises is a company founded by Rumford Attorney Seth Carey in support of a casino in Oxford County. Carey spearheaded a citizen’s initiative and was running the campaign in support of passing the ballot question this November.

Following the approval of the ballot question, however, the casino campaign was riddled with problems. First, Carey was charged with assault. The charge was later dropped. Then there was an ethics complaint against him in front of the Maine Bar Association.

Then, the project’s spokeswoman Pat LaMarche stepped down, citing “legal and professional issues” with Carey. Today she announced she would be the spokeswoman for the new company.

State Rep. John Patrick (D-Rumford) said the project didn’t stand much of a shot with this negative publicity.

The way the referendum is written, Patrick said, not much will change under the new ownership. The referendum earmarks specific portions of the casino’s profits for a variety of Maine non-profits and causes.

While, under the new backers, money from the casino will leave the state, the casino will still be required to give profits to state causes and also bring jobs to the county, something that is sorely needed, Patrick said.

If the referendum does pass in November, Patrick said it will likely be “totally revamped” by the Legislature in the fall. One clause in the language lowers the gambling age. Another clause requires the president of the casino to be on the board of any organization getting profits from it.

Sen. David Hastings III (R-Fryeburg) agreed that finding a backer was a key step for the casino.

“One of my concerns from the beginning was if it would get off the ground at all,” Hastings said.

He said he hasn’t heard much about the casino from his constituents. The casino project focuses mainly on Northern Oxford County, and Hastings represents the southern half.

He said he also has serious concerns about the legislation. Putting the president on the boards of local groups “made no sense at all” and “was somewhat arrogant” he said.

The first concern, he said, is whether voters will approve the project.