Question 2: Ski resorts vs. casino

Three Western Maine ski resorts announced their opposition to Question 2 today, which upon approval would allow a casino in Oxford County.

Dana Bullen, general manager of Sunday River in Newry, said he would be donating money to CasinosNO!, the group opposing the ballot question.

Saddleback Mountain and Sugarloaf executives also oppose the project, Bullen said in a release.

Bullen wrote:

“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. 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,”