Gambling board nominees win support

By MARK PETERS, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

E-mail this story to a friend

THE NOMINEES PETER DANTON of Saco: seven-term state senator, former deputy secretary of state and chief of staff for Gov. Joseph Brennan, and current member of Maine Lottery Commission. JEAN M. DEIGHAN of Bangor: owner of investment advisory firm and former practicing attorney. W. LAWRENCE HALL of Dedham: 20-year veteran of Maine State Police, retiring as a detective sergeant. Retired owner of Hall Security Service. GEORGE McHALE of Orrington: veteran Bangor broadcaster, voice of harness racing at Maine tracks for 25 years, and chairman of Maine Harness Racing Commission for the past nine years. MICHAEL T. PETERS of Dixfield: small businessman who has owned a small group health insurance brokerage, been a land developer in southern Maine and been a chief executive officer for J.A. Thurston Co. To top of story

AUGUSTA — The five nominees to the state's new Gambling Control Board won support of a key legislative committee Tuesday, all but ensuring their confirmation by the Maine Senate next week. Members of the Legislature's Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee backed the nominees with near unanimity during a confirmation hearing that included few questions for the would-be board members. State Rep. Kevin Glynn, R-South Portland, was the only committee member to object after nominees failed to reveal how they felt about the possibility of expanding gambling in Maine.

"The point is, that discussion is over. We have been charged with what the public asked us to do," said nominee Jean Deighan, owner of a Bangor-based investment advisory firm.

Joining Deighan at the confirmation hearing were fellow nominees Peter Danton, Lawrence Hall, George McHale and Michael Peters. The five-member board will regulate the operation of slot machines in the state and the $824.5 million in bets expected to be placed annually.

The Legislature created the board after voters last fall legalized slots at Maine's two commercial harness racing tracks. The operator of Bangor Raceway plans to install 1,500 slots in the next two years, while Scarborough Downs failed to win local approval.

The nominees cited their experiences in business and state politics, harness racing and police work in explaining why they are qualified for the control board. Some said the board must ensure slots are regulated in a way that is fair to the state, players, and the would-be operator, Penn National Gaming.

The five nominees also benefited from their experience on the Governor's Gambling Control Advisory Council. Gov. John Baldacci formed the panel in the spring to speed up the rule making process and licensing of the state's first racino.

"You have been handed a Herculean task and handled it well," Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield, told the nominees.

The board already has reached consensus on a variety of rules, like hours of operation and where ATM's can be installed in the proposed racino. The nominees still must win confirmation by the Legislature before they can actually create gambling regulations and begin oversight of a racino.

Public Safety Commissioner Michael Cantara described Tuesday's proceedings as the latest step in the complicated task of setting up a regulatory system and licensing a racino operator. The Senate is expected to approve the nominees, which Baldacci put forward, when it convenes next Wednesday.

Cantara said the governor's officer conducted background checks on all nominees. Lawmakers declined to put together their own reports.

Glynn, the South Portland Republican, was the only committee member to vote against the nominees, saying he wanted them to state their position on the expansion of gambling before becoming board members. This would give the Legislature a sense of the board's slant when it makes recommendation in the future on gambling in Maine, he said.

Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:

To top of page