How many times do Scarborough voters have to say no to slots? Scarborough Downs’ newest effort to turn Scarborough into a “gambling center” is couched in terms of creating a “town cente,r” surrounded by 500 housing units designed to draw people who will make slot machines the center of their lives. Who are they trying to fool – once again?

The Oak Hill area already serves us as a town center, and the time and efforts of our town manager, council members and planning staff should be invested in traffic-calming measures, bikeable and walkable areas and accessible housing in that area.

Scarborough’s treasures are environmental and historic. We are a family-oriented town. The recent Brookings Institution study identified Maine’s “quality of place” as our most important asset and yet the most endangered.

Slot machines have no place in a plan for our true town center, nor will they improve Scarborough’s quality of place. Say no to slots!

Susan DeWitt Wilder