Maine: Tourist dollars up as visits drop off

bangordailynews.com ^ | 4-30--05

[gidget7]

It's really a shame, Arcadia and the surrounding area are is gorgeous!

[gidget7]

Sadly the whole NE is known for being cold, and not just the weather. People down south are much warmer, much more pleasant. And I say that having been born and raised and living in the NE.

[CheezyD]

My wife and I have vacationed in Maine. We love it there and can't wait until our next trip up there.

I've never heard of anyone scheduling a vacation around the smoking rules. That's just nuts.

[warsaw44]

Average folks in Maine are getting killed with property taxes. There are quite a few people in the state who own a considerable amount of land but do not have a considerable income. These people suffer the tax burden as best they can but many times end up having to sell land which has been in their family for generations.
I lived in Maine for some time ago and have relatives in the state. Those Winters were unforgettable. They never seemed to end. Then there was Black Fly season - that was real fun!
I hear that Maine is once again putting the Same Sex Marriage nonsense up for vote yet again. That state has changed so much in the last 20 years. Its a real shame.

[HostileTerritory]

Not same-sex marriage. I think it's an anti-discrimination bill.

[SheLion]

Maine needs to be concerned, as does CT now, that they will join MA in having negative growth numbers next year. The people they are losing are middle class, and businesses! Businesses are not going to, if there is another place they don't have to, stay where they have to pay exorbitant taxes, and cover same sex couples with insurance. That's just the reality.

That's just the reality!  And if anyone thinks for one minute that a cut-back in revenue by 25-30% isn't going to hurt, they have another thought coming.  The smoking bans are choking the economy.

If a group vacations and travels together, and one or two couples smoke, the non-smoking friends will stay with the smoking friends just the same.  So, instead of Maine losing one couple, they will lose 3-4 couples who all vacation together.

[SheLion]

It's really a shame, Arcadia and the surrounding area are is gorgeous!

Maine is a gorgeous state.  Even Baxter State Park!!

Oh yes, no smoking in the Maine Casino's either.  I forgot about the Casino(s).

[Sam Cree]

ping

[SheLion]

Sadly the whole NE is known for being cold, and not just the weather. People down south are much warmer, much more pleasant. And I say that having been born and raised and living in the NE.

You know why, don't you?  All of New England is LIBS!  ack!

[SheLion]

I've never heard of anyone scheduling a vacation around the smoking rules. That's just nuts.

Nuts?  I can tell you never smoked.  Well, it's our time and our dime and we won't be spending our money in a state that won't accommodate us.

You must think we are total losers if that's the case.

Why oh why would we want to pay for that personal abuse?  Huh?

[SheLion]

Then there was Black Fly season - that was real fun!

Black Fly season is every summer.  We buy stock in "Off."  :)

I hear that Maine is once again putting the Same Sex Marriage nonsense up for vote yet again. That state has changed so much in the last 20 years. Its a real shame.

The Rats don't want to put it up for a vote. Our side is working to get it on the ballot so we can vote on it.  The Rats in Augusta want to force it down our throats.  There is a big fight in Maine over this right now.

[SheLion]

Not same-sex marriage. I think it's an anti-discrimination bill.

Maine: Long fight predicted on Gov. Baldacci's gay rights bill

As it stands, Baldacci's bill would not require voter approval at referendum.

[EGPWS]

I heard yesterday on the news that Minneapolis is seeing the effects of their smoking ban which took effect in April.

They are concerned because business' have already seen up to a 30% decrease in revenue and of course the heated discussion is "how do we make up for the loss?"

To be an 8 year old in the 3rd grade again as to understand the mindset of some in government.....

[MrLee]

Heading in that direction. Southern Maine is a perverts "paradise" in the summer. Can't take your kids to the beach for all the public displays of perversion. Sick.

[Mears]

New England is becoming a fantasy land,an area that really does not exist anymore.

It's become a great place for pictures for calendars but not much else.

Sad! I always loved it,but no more.

[Mears]

"I've never heard of anyone scheduling a vacation around the smoking rules."

---

Well you've heard of one now,me,and there are plenty more of us!

[armymarinedad]

I'm sure the city inspector was bought and paid for.

City inspectors? You mean there are places where buildings get inspected? I was just on a jury for a civil case involving a house built in a small Maine town. This house was fubared like you wouldn't believe. There were entire rooms missing.

[SheLion]

They are concerned because business' have already seen up to a 30% decrease in revenue and of course the heated discussion is "how do we make up for the loss?"

To be an 8 year old in the 3rd grade again as to understand the mindset of some in government.....

The professional anti-smoking coalition told the business's not to worry.  That the non-smoker's would far make up for the loss from any smoker's they lose now that they would be able to go out.

Guess what?  Those non-smoker's never showed up.

[mewzilla]

How much of the rises in room rates have to do with a rise in room taxes, any of it?

[SheLion]

Sad! I always loved it,but no more.

Well, I have really laid down roots up here and I'm comfortable.  So, I will try to stomach Maine government and just live my life the best I can.  But it sure is sad that there was a forced smoking ban.

I don't even go out to dinner anymore.  I do take-out.  Sad, eh?