Ben La Pointe listened to arguments that proposed slot machines at Laurel Race Track in Anne Arundel would help fund education and balance the state budget.
He also heard that slots money may not fund education, and would morally bankrupt communities.
After hearing both sides, the Crofton resident left a forum Tuesday in the same mind-set he entered it — confused and undecided on his vote.
“This is an extremely complex issue,” he said.
“Whatever selling point you want to hear, they’ll tell it to you.”
Many of the roughly 30 Crofton-area residents who attended a candidates forum in Crofton organized by local community groups were still on the fence, claiming both factions were spinning data in their favor and not providing a clear, honest look at the issue.
“I think a lot of the information is getting distorted, which is why we brought both sides here to answer questions that I don’t think will end here,” said Art Huseonica, president of the Greater Crofton Council, a community group.
And for Anne Arundel residents, the slots issue is important because the largest chunk of the 15,000 slots proposed in November’s referendum could be installed at the Laurel Race Track in the county’s western district.
A few residents didn’t realize the race track was in Anne Arundel.
Most of the questions geared toward Fred Puddester, head of pro-slots group For Maryland, For Our Future, and state Sen. Janet Greenip, R-Anne Arundel, who argued against slots, were about where the money is going; where the slots are going and what the legality is of the proposed constitutional amendment needed to approve slots.
“We have five schools in [the Crofton] area, so there are many people who want to know more about this slots issue and how the money will be spent,” said Steve Grimaud, president of the Crofton Civic Association, the quasi-governing body of the community.
Councilman Ed Reilly, R-Crofton, questioned whether the slots money slated for education, which proponents say constitutes the largest chunk of the slots’ profits, will actually fund schools.
“The money will go there, because we need every nickel of it,” Puddester said.
“We also heard that about the [state] lottery, and look where we are now,” Greenip said, referring to the lottery revenue that goes into the state’s general fund.
Though only a few residents attended the forum, which also featured local officials representing the presidential candidates and others running for judge, Congress and school board positions, they were the “vocal people” who will help promote debate in the Crofton community, which is south of the race track.
While Crofton residents continue to debate the issue, others in the county are more resolute on their position.
More than 60 percent of Anne Arundel residents have said they support slots, according to five years of surveys conducted by the Center for the Study of Local Issues.
The next survey, due out shortly before the election, will pose the actual referendum question to respondents, said Dan Nataf, director of the Anne Arundel Community College-based group.
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